Jacksonville is home to a substantial number of top quality performance venues, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, cutting edge facilities and comforts in addition to stunning design and aesthetics drawing from historical roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that've been revived and reconstructed from their architectural origins between 1919 and the 1930’s. Right below there is a list with the top concert halls in Jacksonville for you to visit with your family, friends or by yourself.

Times Union Performing Arts Center

Located in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is one of the largest and most high profile of the Jacksonville theaters promoting humanities, culture and performance. Recent offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Wicked and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it’s multi locale facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Vets Commemorative Arena.

The Vets Commemorative Arena hosts Jacksonville University Basketball and gigantic name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center is host to Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 sq. feet of space. The Convention Center used to be a railroad station before its conversion and keeps its historic architecture. Whichever location visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to examine for big name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.

The Florida Theatre

With 200 entertainment and cultural events yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in central along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests annually and is recognised as amongst the best concert locales in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and “A John Waters Christmas”, as well as being the performance venue for the Florida Ballet. The venue itself has fantastic acoustics and is decorated in a stylish and opulent style fitting its roots and its present position as one of the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. This is a great place to stop by and take a little time to enjoy some music.

Theatre Jacksonville

Beginning in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Along with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the River and Through the Woods, Seussical, Howdy Dolly and more.

Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high level of experience and knowledge that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is an ideal sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more close contact than a bigger, more high profile locale.

Jacksonville Theatre Guild

Offering productions the whole family can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and fanciful feel good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and wacky offerings like “Drac’s Back”, centered on the way in which the night unfolds when scholars on an expedition take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is really Dracula in disguise.

Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center

Located at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Humanities, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the country dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall’s capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by internationally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Architects and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman architects.

This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.

Metropolitan Park

An outside venue with a canopied 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and out of doors concerts including the Spring Music Holiday, World of Nations Party and yearly Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the concerthall at Metropolitan Park offer a fantastic experience along the St. John’s river with covered picnic shelters, children’s play area, a 27-acre park and event related facilities to make any visit notable.

UNF Fine Arts Center.

Comprised of The Recital Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the Varsity and Jacksonville residents. UNF locations host a mix of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, coaching conventions, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. “Movies on the House” offers more non-traditional films each other Thursday at 7pm on a large screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The purpose of “Movies on the House”, known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films spectators and fans wouldn't routinely be able to see on the big-screen, and to foster an environment of community in the audience.

Freebird Live

Well known commonly as a Jacksonville spot for music, the Freebird Cafeteria books both nationally known artists as well as region and local music, making it the perfect spot to see what music in Jacksonville is really like. Freebird Live’s performance space accommodates 700 guests standing room only , and offers perspectives from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.

The venue has an outside smoking balcony and two full bars with a higher level balcony area for 21 visitors; other areas are delegated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases mostly rock artists, like recent performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Right across the Sea Walk Pavilion you will find the Freebird Live.

Jonas Fredrickson has had an interest in hot spots in Jacksonville for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces about attractions in Jacksonville for many online publications. For the details about concert halls in Jacksonville please click here and visit his site.