Tis the season for cute holiday dates! Ones filled with hot cocoa, hand holding, and bright beautiful lights! The best part? Jacksonville, Florida offers a wide array of things to do with your significant other.

It may feel like summer all year long in Florida, but the holidays only come once a year. With that said, Jacksonville does not disappoint when it comes to offering glamorous festivities for everyone in the area to enjoy. 

Check out some cute holiday date ideas in Jacksonville below to get excited for the most wonderful time of the year!

Sip N’ Shop at Tomato Vintage

Totally a shameless plug, Tomato Vintage is excited to invite everyone in the area to attend our Sip N’ Shop event on Saturday December 10 at 6:30 p.m. 

At the event, local celebrity Lady Makaella will be serving drinks and looks! Mingle and meet others in the area that are just as trendy and festive as you are!

Double whammy the night by shopping with your cutie for a new date night outfit to wear on another date night in the city. 

Markets for Makers

Sure the season may be about togetherness and magic but it’s also about presents! Spend some quality time this year by taking your loved one to Market for Makers this December 3 and 4. 

Walk among  tons of small businesses to shop for the perfect gift this holiday season. It’s a great idea because instead of participating in the gift guessing game, you can purchase a present your date actually likes!

The market is located at The Glass Factory, 601 Myrtle Ave N, Jacksonville, FL and brings, “together independent artists and makers specializing in home decor, fashion, art, design, food (and more!) in a fun and inspiring environment that champions connections.”

Buy tickets here. 

Dazzling Nights

While most winter wonderlands have snow, here in Jacksonville, it looks like dazzling lights.

Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens create a winter wonderland like no other from November 25 to January 1. The organization transforms the property with a million dazzling lights, glittering forests, and enchanting and magical sculptures.

Stroll down the three-quarter-mile interactive Dazzling Nights holiday experience hand in hand with your partner for a romantic date. But note, tickets must be purchased for a specific time and date.

ZooLights

Another available light installation in the area is located at the zoo! 

Similar to the Dazzling Lights, the Jacksonville Zoo is hosting ZooLights from December 9-11, 15-18, and 22-24. In addition to the mesmerizing 2 million lights that the zoo displays, visitors can see musical performances, themed characters, drink and eat hot chocolate and s’mores, and meet Santa Claus himself.

We recommend attending because the vibrant hues of color, creative imagery and Instagram-worthy backdrops are a great opportunity to take a picture with your date to commemorate the awesome time you have together. 

Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas

Okay, so this date idea is unique! Just because the holiday season is more about cheer than fear, doesn’t mean a holiday haunted experience is a bad date idea. 

While your date might get your heart racing already, back by popular demand, take them to Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas from December 9 to 10.

13th Floor Jacksonville will take guests through a festive, fear-inducing experience.

Once you purchase tickets, you and your honey can enjoy holiday-themed photo ops; and can even add on experiences like Mini Escape Games and Ax Throwing. Add-ons must be purchased in advance online or on-site.

As you can see, there are plenty of cute holiday date ideas in Jacksonville to attend with your sweetheart.

Whether it’s shopping, strolling, or screaming, the holiday season will bring more delight than ever.

Photo credit: maryellenwieber