Happy Mother's Day (weekend)!

Mother’s Day weekend is here, and we’ve got a great mix of picks for the whole family. Kick things off Friday night at the Alligator Farm’s after-dark Croc-Tails Night Market… think conservation exhibits and local artisan vendors after the sun goes down. Saturday morning, get the kids hands-on with marine life at GTM by pulling a seine net through the shallows at Guana Dam. Then on Sunday, treat Mom to a free day at the Jacksonville Zoo. Mom’s get in free with any paid family admission. Three completely different vibes, and all worth building the weekend around.

RPI’s Croc-Tails & Night Market 2026
📍 St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (~41 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ 10 & Under Free / All Others $10
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This after-dark zoo event lets visitors explore the Alligator Farm while browsing local artisan vendors and conservation exhibits in a unique nighttime setting.

Family Seining
📍 Guana Dam (GTM Research Reserve) (~22 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
🎟️ $3.00 per Vehicle
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
A guided activity pulling a seine net to collect and learn about local marine life at GTM Research Reserve.

Zoo - Free Admission for Moms
📍 Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (~38 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎟️ Free for Moms (when accompanying family members with paid admission)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
Moms get free entry to Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens on Mother’s Day when accompanying family members with paid admission.

Family Paint Night
📍 Creative Me Art Studio (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
🎟️ $20 Per Participant
🧒 Ages 5+
🔗 More info here
This guided painting workshop walks families step by step through creating a spring-inspired acrylic canvas painting — no experience needed!

RPI’s Croc-Tails & Night Market 2026
📍 St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (~41 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ 10 & Under Free / All Others $10
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This after-dark zoo event lets visitors explore the Alligator Farm while browsing local artisan vendors and conservation exhibits in a unique nighttime setting.

The Last Cast
📍 St. Johns County Parks and Rec (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free ($5 gear rental)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This relaxed outdoor fishing program lets participants rent gear for just $5 and enjoy a peaceful evening of shoreline fishing at sunset.

Family Seining
📍 Guana Dam (GTM Research Reserve) (~22 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
🎟️ $3.00 per Vehicle
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
A guided activity pulling a seine net to collect and learn about local marine life at GTM Research Reserve.

Sunflower & Tomato Soiree
📍 Wesley Wells Farm (~36 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This farm soiree celebrates sunflowers and tomatoes at Wesley Wells Farm for a fun seasonal gathering.

Mother’s Day Hand Stamped With Love
📍 Anchor Boutique (~45 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This hands-on workshop at Anchor Boutique lets attendees create hand-stamped keepsakes as a meaningful Mother’s Day gift.

Beginner Hand Knitting
📍 Coconut Barrel (~30 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ $45
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This small-group hands-on class teaches beginners to hand knit a charming Olivia Octopus, limited to just eight participants.

Mother’s Day Makery - Kid’s DIY Gift Workshop
📍 Pinspiration (~14 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
🎟️ $45.00 + fees
🧒 Kindergarten & up
🔗 More info here
This drop-off creative workshop lets kids work through 5 secret craft stations to make and wrap DIY Mother’s Day gifts while parents enjoy free time.

Dinner & Movie
📍 Solomon Calhoun Center (~33 min 🚗)
🕐 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
🎟️ FREE | Registration required
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
This indoor family movie night includes a catered dinner, music, and a showing of Freakier Friday with cozy seating options. Registration required.

Free Admission for Moms
📍 Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (~38 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎟️ Free for Moms (when accompanying family members with paid admission)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
Moms get free entry to Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens on Mother’s Day when accompanying family members with paid admission.

Hand Sewing & Crochet Class
📍 The Art House (~41 min 🚗)
🕐 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
🎟️ $35 Drop In/$112.50 Monthly
🧒 9-12+
🔗 More info here

Annual St. Augustine History Festival
📍 Multiple Historic Sites, St. Augustine (~30 min 🚗)
🕐 All weekend
🎟️ Prices vary
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
This multi-event festival celebrates National Historic Preservation Month with 30+ special events and historic site experiences spanning St. Augustine’s history from 1565 to present.

Art in the Garden
📍 Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (~38 min 🚗)
🕐 Sat–Sun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
🎟️ $17+ (included with Zoo admission)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here