With the arrival of Memorial Day, summer officially begins in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. From festivals and outdoor getaways to solemn ceremonies of remembrance, this is our real estate agents' guide to how to spend Memorial Day weekend across the region. 

Memorial Day Happenings in FL and GA

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall - Jacksonville, FL

Address: 1145 E Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

The City of Jacksonville's annual Memorial Day Observance will be held at 8:30 am on Monday, May 25, at the Veterans Memorial Wall. Located adjacent to EverBank Stadium, just east of Downtown Jacksonville and minutes from many Jacksonville homes for sale, the memorial shows the names of more than 1,500 local military personnel lost in combat. 

Green Cove Springs Riverfest - Green Cove Springs, FL

Address: 200 Spring St, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Some of the best family-friendly fun in Northeast Florida this Memorial Day weekend is at the Green Cove Springs Riverfest. Held at the picturesque Spring Park, the festival takes place on May 25 from 10 am to 9 pm. Highlights include:

• Over 100 food and craft vendors
• Kids' zone with bounce slides and face painting
• Live entertainment throughout the day
• Fireworks display at night

Visit Cumberland Island - St. Marys, GA

Address: 113 St. Marys St W, St. Marys, GA 31558

Spending time outdoors with family and friends is a great way to enjoy Memorial Day Weekend, and the beautiful Cumberland Island is a perfect place to do so. Accessible by boat or ferry from the mainland, this mostly undeveloped barrier island offers 18 miles of beaches and 50 miles of trails. Cumberland Island lies just across the Florida state line, and many guided tours of the island depart from Amelia Island & Fernandina on the Florida side. 

Jacksonville Jazz Fest - Jacksonville, FL

Address: 288 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

The Jacksonville Jazz Fest is back for four days this year, touching down in Downtown Jacksonville from May 21-24. It's one of the biggest outdoor music festivals in the region, with a thrilling lineup of artists and some of the best food and drink in Northeast Florida. 

Blue Crab Festival - Palatka, FL

Address: 102 N 1st St, Palatka, FL 32177

Just a short drive from St. Augustine, the annual Palatka Blue Crab Festival starts on Friday, May 22, and runs through Sunday, May 24. With a beautiful riverfront location and an abundance of fresh seafood, the festival spotlights the versatile blue crab, harvested along the coast. The festival will also include: 

• Live bands on multiple stages
• Jet Ski shows
• Arts and crafts vendors

Fort Clinch State Park — Fernandina Beach, FL

Address: 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to explore Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, one of the best-preserved 19th-century fortifications in the country. Rangers lead candlelight tours and living history demonstrations throughout the holiday weekend, bringing Civil War-era life to vivid detail. The park also offers:

• Ocean and river fishing access
• Hiking and biking trails through the maritime forest
• Beachfront camping with Atlantic Ocean views

Okefenokee Adventures — Folkston, GA

Address: 4159 Suwannee Canal Rd, Folkston, GA 31537

For a Memorial Day weekend experience unlike any other, explore the wild Okefenokee Swamp in Southeast Georgia — one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America. Paddling tours, guided boat rides, and wildlife observation platforms offer a fascinating look at this National Wildlife Refuge. Spring is one of the best times to visit, as abundant wildlife is active throughout the swamp.

• Guided boat tours available daily
• Wildlife sightings include alligators, sandhill cranes, and otters
• Canoe and kayak rentals on-site

Contact us today to learn more about life in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about how we can help find the perfect home for you and your family.