Florida Theatre

128 East Forsyth Street Suite 300 Jacksonville FL 32202

Hours

Box Office open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ticket purchases available online on their website.

Cost

Ticket prices at the Florida Theatre vary by event and seating choice. Visit their website to get the most up-to-date pricing and information.

(904)355-5661

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About

Take a step back in time on your First Coast vacation to the Golden Age of Hollywood with a visit to the Florida Theatre.

This theater, located in downtown Jacksonville, opened its doors in 1927. The venue's Mediterranean Revival architecture is stunning, featuring intricate designs and luxurious interiors. All these factors make it one of the best landmarks to visit on your Jacksonville Beach vacation.

During the Depression, the Florida Theatre became a beacon of hope. It was where young and old could escape the financial strains and fears and enter a dream world.

Since it was built during the silent picture era, the Florida Theatre has a Wurlitzer pipe organ and stage with dressing rooms for entertainers between showings. Both of these would prove invaluable to its longevity.

The theater's downtown location puts it close to other landmarks and restaurants, which makes combining multiple attractions with a show and dinner easy. An example is before a concert or show, visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens or grab a meal at Restaurant Orsay.

While the Golden Age of cinema has died, the Florida Theatre is very much alive with concerts, special events, and vintage movie screenings. Catching a show or movie on your Jacksonville vacation will not only be entertaining but will amaze you with its stunning beauty.

Florida Theatre: Fun Facts & Cool Features

As mentioned, the designers' foresight in including a stage and dressing rooms enabled the Florida Theatre to survive changing times. By incorporating live shows, the hall has seen The Spinners, Bon Jovi, Branford Marsalis, and countless other music sensations.

One iconic performance was in 1956 when Elvis Presley performed. Interestingly, the mayor and sheriff had an arrest warrant out for Elvis for "impairing the morals of minors" should he do his "Elvis the Pelvis" moves. While Elvis complied, he nonetheless wiggled his finger at the authorities in the orchestra pit. According to a band member, it marked the genesis of his classic move.

Another captivating feature is the interior architecture. Boasting vivid colors, intricate plasterwork, and European influence, guests stare in awe, from ceiling to floor, before the curtain rises.

As mentioned, the Florida Theatre is close to other things to do, like the MOSH (Museum of Science and History) or a visit to Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Store, making it attractive for those who prefer a day packed with adventure.

The "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ attracts organ enthusiasts nationwide who want to hear its majestic notes in their original setting. The instrument is still active and is used for special filmings, events, and shows.

The Florida Theatre offers premiere ticketed performances and a stunning interior that will transport you back to the days of black-and-white movies. This combination makes it one of the best attractions to visit in Jacksonville Beaches.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to the Florida Theatre from Jacksonville:

Start on I-95 North.
Take exit 353B for Union Street/FL-115.
Merge onto W Union Street.
Use the right lane to take the ramp to Newnan Street.
Continue straight for about half a mile; the destination will be on your left.
Address: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Local Tips

Arrive early to secure parking and beat the crowds.
Check the website for special shows or fundraisers.
Outside food and drink are not allowed in the theater.
The concession stand sells snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Location

128 East Forsyth Street Suite 300 Jacksonville FL 32202

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!