Jacksonville is home to a substantial number of top notch performance locations, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, cutting edge facilities and comforts in addition to pretty design and aesthetics drawing from significant roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that have been revived and rebuilt from their architectural origins between 1919 and the 1930\’s. If you are a fan of theaters or just curious enough to visit some live performances places, take a look at some of the best theaters in Jacksonville right below.

Times Union Performing Arts Center

Found in downtown Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is probably one of the biggest and most high visibility of the Jacksonville theaters promoting humanities, culture and performance. Up to date offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Cruel and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts varied events in it\’s multi location facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Veterans 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 historical design. Whichever location visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to test for large 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 downtown along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests yearly and is recognized as one of the best concert locations 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\”, in addition to being the performance place for the Florida Ballet. The location itself has excellent acoustics and is decorated in a stylish and opulent style fitting its roots and its present position as amongst the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. This is a must-stop-by.

Theatre Jacksonville

Starting in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Together with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for every age and interests. Past performances have included The Storm, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo\’s Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the Brook and Through the Woods, Seussical, Hi Dolly and more.

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

Jacksonville Theatre Guild

Offering productions the whole family can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and whimsical feel really good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and wacky offerings like \”Drac\’s Back\”, focused on how the night unfolds when scholars on a field trip take refuge from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is actually Dracula in disguise.

Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center

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

Metropolitan Park

An out of doors locale with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and outdoor concerts including the Spring Music Holiday, Sector of Nations Celebration and annual Jacksonville Jazz Holiday. 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 very good experience along the St. John\’s river with covered picnic shelters, children\’s play area, a 27-acre park and event related conveniences to make any visit notable.

UNF Fine Arts Center.

Composed of The Exhibition Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the College and Jacksonville residents. UNF places host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances as well as offering lectures, training conventions, receptions, social events and workshops. Up to date 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 massive 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 viewers and fans wouldn't routinely be in a position to see on the big screen, and to foster an environment of community within the audience.

Freebird Live

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

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