Gators, Ice Cream & a Classic Movie Under the Stars✨

Summer is in full swing, and this weekend is packed with hometown fun! Right here in Nocatee and St. Johns County, Gatorland's gator trainers are turning Saturday's Farmers Market into a wild animal encounter the kids won't stop talking about. Lace up Saturday morning for the Ice Cream Run 5K, where a kids' dash ends in all-you-can-eat ice cream (yes, really). And on Friday, spread out a blanket for a free outdoor screening of the classic The Parent Trap with popcorn and food trucks. Scroll down for the full lineup! 👇

Nocatee Farmers Market: Gatorland Animal Encounters
📍 Nocatee Town Center (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

Gatorland's alligator trainers bring live wildlife shows to the Nocatee Farmers Market at three performance times — right in your own backyard, plus all your favorite market vendors.

Ice Cream Run 5K
📍 Kilwins St. Johns – Beachwalk (~12 min 🚗)
🕐 7:30 AM | Saturday
🎟️ $10–$50
👪 Children & families
🔗 More info here

A community 5K and one-mile run/walk with a kids' dash — and everyone finishes with all-you-can-eat ice cream.

Jax Parks Movie Night: The Parent Trap
📍 Artist Square Amphitheater (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 7:00 PM | Friday
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

Pack a blanket for a free outdoor screening of the classic The Parent Trap, complete with complimentary popcorn, dessert, and food trucks.

Parent Survival Night
📍 Little Gym Fruit Cove (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ $45
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Drop the kids for three hours of supervised games, activities, and a pizza dinner while you enjoy a well-deserved night off.

All Abilities Paddle
📍 Trout Creek Park (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free | Registration open
🧒 Ages 5 and up
🔗 More info here

An inclusive, adaptive kayaking experience designed so paddlers of all abilities can enjoy time out on the water.

Jax Parks Movie Night: The Parent Trap
📍 Artist Square Amphitheater (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

A free outdoor screening of the classic The Parent Trap with complimentary popcorn, dessert, and food trucks on site.

Outpost Angler Academy Fishing Workshop
📍 Guy Harvey Oceanfront Resort, St. Augustine Beach (~23 min 🚗)
🕐 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟️ $80
🧒 Older children
🔗 More info here

A hands-on morning with professional anglers covering surf fishing techniques, rigging, casting, and fish identification.

Ice Cream Run 5K
📍 Kilwins St. Johns – Beachwalk (~12 min 🚗)
🕐 7:30 AM
🎟️ $10–$50
👪 Children & families
🔗 More info here

A community 5K and one-mile run/walk with a kids' dash that finishes with all-you-can-eat ice cream.

Beach Exploration Nature Walk
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

A docent-led beach walk exploring coastal animals, habitats, and seashells, starting at the Visitor Center before heading to the shore.

Forge Card Show
📍 680 Crosswater Pkwy, Ponte Vedra (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

A collectible card trading show where kids and collectors can buy, sell, trade, and hunt for vintage cards and treasures.

Mermaid Meet & Greet
📍 St. Augustine Aquarium (~29 min 🚗)
🕐 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟️ $15 adults / $10 ages 3–12
👪 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Meet real-life mermaids at the aquarium, snap photos, and take home a special keepsake.

Financial Literacy for Teens & Young Adults
📍 Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Free | Registration open
🧒 Teens
🔗 More info here

A hands-on workshop covering careers, spending, saving, investing, and debt management — with lunch provided.

Summer Safety Fest
📍 Baptist Medical South (~30 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 Children & families
🔗 More info here

A free family festival with safety education, truck touch experiences, helmet fittings, giveaways, and refreshments.

Unearth a Story Storytelling Festival
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

A free celebration of stories with live author readings, interactive games, crafts, and hands-on activities under the zoo's new VyStar Skyscape.

Nocatee Farmers Market: Gatorland Animal Encounters
📍 Nocatee Town Center (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

Gatorland's alligator trainers bring live wildlife shows to the Nocatee Farmers Market at three performance times, plus all your favorite market vendors.

Backpack Drive
📍 Freedom South Campus (~30 min 🚗)
🕐 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 Children & families
🔗 More info here

A community giveaway of school supplies and backpacks for local kids, plus free clothing, household items, and family support.

Beacon Lake Community Festival
📍 Beacon Lake — First Coast Vendor Village (~13 min 🚗)
🕐 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

A free family festival with local vendors, live music, inflatables, food trucks, and artisan bakers.

Parent's Night Out
📍 Prime Sports Arena, St. Augustine (~28 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Ages 5–12
🔗 More info here

Four hours of glowball soccer, dodgeball, basketball, movies, and board games — plus pizza and drinks — while parents get a night off.

Movie Night at the Airport
📍 St. Augustine Airport (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 6:45 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here

An outdoor double feature — a documentary on naval aviator Dale Snodgrass followed by a family-friendly aviation film under the stars.

The Costume Club
📍 Cut Up & Sew, St. Augustine (~41 min 🚗)
🕐 12:30 PM – 4:45 PM
🎟️ $15
🧒 Older children
🔗 More info here

A monthly workshop teaching cosplay, historical, and theatrical costume-making through hands-on projects and expert instruction.

Kids Summer Camp: Art & Crafting Sessions
📍 Painted Pallet Studio (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (through Fri, July 17)
🎟️ $65 daily or $275 weekly
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Daily and weekly art camp sessions where kids paint, create, and explore hands-on projects all summer long.