🇺🇸 America's 250th, a Full Moon Hike & More Summer Weekend Fun

This weekend leans all the way into summer — and the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday! Saturday evening, head out to Wesley Wells Farm for Fields of Freedom, a patriotic farm party with hayrides, baby animals, live music, and picnic dinners under the stars. On Friday, celebrate 626 Day (IYKYK) with a come-and-go afternoon of tropical crafts — paint a mini surfboard, mix up alien slime, or make a Hawaiian keychain. And for something a little magical, lace up for Saturday’s after-hours Moonlight Hike at the GTM Reserve, where the full moon lights the trails for a peaceful family adventure.

Fields of Freedom Patriotic Farm Festival
📍 Wesley Wells Farm (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ $6.20 (ages 1 & up)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Celebrate America’s 250th with an evening of hayrides, farmer games, live music, baby animals, and picnic dining under the stars.

626 Day Celebration
📍 Painted Pallet Studio (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Friday
🎟️ Prices vary
🧒 All ages welcome
🔗 More info here

In case you don’t know, “626 Day” is a celebration of Stich, from Lilo & Stich (we had to look that up). This event is a relaxed, come-and-go event with three tropical-themed projects: paint a mini surfboard, make blue alien slime, or create a Hawaiian keychain.

Moonlight Hike
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ $10 preregister
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Take your fears head on! Experience a nightime hike in the GTM reserve under the full moon with exclusive after-hours access for a peaceful, self-guided nighttime walk.

Summer Tennis & Activities Camp
📍 Julington Creek Plantation Recreation Center (~23 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎟️ $75/day or $250/week
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Action-packed camp with tennis, swimming, multi-sport games, fitness, and fun challenges like water balloon wars for all skill levels.

Summer Youth Sports Camps
📍 Silverleaf Amenity Center (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎟️ $70/day or $260/week
🧒 Ages 5–14
🔗 More info here

Two rotating options — Tennis & Pickleball or Multi-Sport — with coach-led activities, organized games, and cool-off time in a screen-free environment.

Summer Break Art Camp
📍 Creative Me Art Studio (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ $40–$225
🧒 Ages 5+
🔗 More info here

Kids complete two themed art projects in a three-hour session, with time for snacks and water breaks built in.

626 Day Celebration
📍 Painted Pallet Studio (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Friday
🎟️ Prices vary
🧒 All ages welcome
🔗 More info here

In case you don’t know, “626 Day” is a celebration of Stich, from Lilo & Stich (we had to look that up). This event is a relaxed, come-and-go event with three tropical-themed projects: paint a mini surfboard, make blue alien slime, or create a Hawaiian keychain.

Parent’s Night Out
📍 Code Ninjas, Ponte Vedra Beach (~21 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ $59
🧒 Young and older kids
🔗 More info here

Drop the kids off for an evening of supervised fun, playing games, building robotics and assembling puzzles while you enjoy a well-earned night out.

Tunes and Blooms - Ladies Night
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
🎟️ $17–$27 (2 & under free)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Stroll the Zoo at sunset on ladies night, while enjoying curated live music performances throughout the gardens and grounds.

Toddler Time Art
📍 Painted Pallet Studio (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
🎟️ $15
🧒 Babies & toddlers
🔗 More info here

Toddlers and preschoolers paint, stick, and decorate their way to a patriotic star suncatcher in this hands-on maker session.

Intro to Handtool Woodworking for Kids
📍 Ancient City Craftworks (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
🎟️ $30
🧒 Ages 7+
🔗 More info here

Kids learn woodworking fundamentals while building patience, perseverance, and creativity in this hands-on workshop.

Teen Art with Kasha: Sketching Basics
📍 Bartram Trail Branch Library (~28 min 🚗)
🕐 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free (registration open)
🧒 Teens
🔗 More info here

Teens sharpen their drawing skills with artist Kasha in this relaxed, hands-on intro to sketching fundamentals.

Summer Candle Making Workshop
📍 Coconut Barrel (~37 min 🚗)
🕐 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ $24 per candle
🧒 Ages 10+
🔗 More info here

Kids mix, pour, and craft their own scented candles inspired by summer sunshine, coastal breezes, and blooming gardens.

Fields of Freedom Patriotic Farm Festival
📍 Wesley Wells Farm (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ $6.20 (ages 1 & up)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Celebrate America’s 250th with an evening of hayrides, farmer games, live music, baby animals, and picnic dining under the stars.

Palmo Sunset Paddleboard Trip
📍 Palmo Boat Ramp (~38 min 🚗)
🕐 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ $20–$50
🧒 Ages 5 & up
🔗 More info here

Certified guides lead a scenic evening paddle around Palmo Bay, with wildlife spotting and a stunning St. Johns River sunset finale.

Summer Nights Wildlife Tours
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
🎟️ $35 per person
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Explore the Zoo after hours with a guide to discover nocturnal animal behavior, behind-the-scenes stops, and up-close encounters.

Pokémon Night
📍 Urban Youth Park (~13 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
🎟️ $55 (Will fill up fast!)
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Young trainers battle through parkour challenges, games, and team competitions built to spark imagination and movement.

Moonlight Hike
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ $10 preregister
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Take your fears head on! Experience a nightime hike in the GTM reserve under the full moon with exclusive after-hours access for a peaceful, self-guided nighttime walk.