Deck The Chairs, Inc
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Deck The Chairs offers a free, outdoor Christmas light exhibition in Jacksonville, featuring uniquely decorated beach chairs, creative displays, and animations. It's ideal for a festive evening stroll and family photo opportunities, suitable for various ages looking for a relaxing holiday experience.
Key Highlights
- ✓Completely free exhibition with no admission charge.
- ✓Features unique, decorated beach chairs with colorful decor, lights, and animations.
- ✓Creative displays are often contributed by local agencies and schools.
- ✓Provides a relaxing and fun atmosphere, perfect for getting into the Christmas mood.
- ✓Well-lit exhibition area, making evening visits feel safe and pleasant.
- ✓Potential for becoming a cherished annual family tradition (some families visit multiple times).
Standout Features
- ⭐Free admission, making it an accessible event for all families.
- ⭐"Well kept up with paved sidewalks" for easy mobility.
- ⭐"Well lit up" exhibition area for comfortable evening viewing.
- ⭐A "free public parking lot, right next to the display" (though street parking can be harder).
- ⭐Offers numerous "family photo opps" with creative backdrops.
- ⭐Includes "opening night and the other shows they provide through the week and weekends."
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Dress warmly in layers, including coats, especially for children and teens, as it can be "freezing cold" or "rainy and cold" (it's an outdoor event).
- →Arrive "a little early" to secure easier parking, especially if aiming for the free public parking lot.
- →Consider visiting later in the evening (e.g., around 11 pm as one reviewer did) for potentially easier parking and a more relaxing, well-lit experience.
- →Check their schedule for "opening night" or other "shows they provide through the week and weekends" for enhanced experiences.
- →Bring a camera for the many "family photo opps" available throughout the display.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The entire exhibition is outdoors, so visitors are exposed to weather conditions; can be "rainy and cold."
- ⚠Children, especially "teens," may complain about the cold if not dressed appropriately, potentially shortening the visit.
- ⚠Street parking can be "a chore" or "a bit of a challenge," particularly at peak times.
- ⚠The walking duration might be relatively short (one family spent "20 minutes walking around").
- ⚠Specific displays may change or be absent year-to-year (e.g., missing "flamingo decorated chair").
Price & Value
Excellent value as it is a completely free exhibition ("no charge for this exhibition"), providing a festive atmosphere, unique displays, and photo opportunities without any mentioned hidden costs.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The area is "well kept up with paved sidewalks," suggesting good accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs, and those with mobility aids.
- •No specific accommodations for sensory needs or other special needs are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in the reviews. As an outdoor public exhibition, there are no explicit rules regarding outside food, nor are there mentions of on-site vendors.
🚗Parking Info
- •A "free public parking lot, right next to the display" is available and recommended.
- •Street parking can be "a chore" or "a bit of a challenge" at busy times.
- •One reviewer found parking "very easily" when arriving late at night (around 11 pm).
👥Crowd Levels
- •Reviewers noted "lots of families walking around" even late at night (11 pm), indicating its popularity.
- •No explicit complaints about the exhibition being overly crowded or difficult to navigate.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The area is described as "well lit up so we were not scared to be out there" (Review 1), providing a sense of security for evening visits.
- •No other specific security personnel, first aid stations, or controlled access points were mentioned.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Going without appropriate warm and potentially waterproof clothing on cold or rainy evenings, as it's entirely outdoors.
- • Expecting a long, highly interactive experience, especially for older teens who might find a visual display less engaging.
- • Arriving at peak times without factoring in potential challenges for street parking or allowing extra time to find the public lot.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Opening Day – Celebrating 13 Seasons Benefiting Students In The Arts
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 1:30 PM
FREE
Includes '2025 Deck The Chairs Arts In The Park #1 – Deckin’ The Lights Show' (Kids invited to decorate DTC Musical Light Show) from 1:30-4:30 PM, 'Kick off Chair Voting' at 5:00 PM, and stage performances by Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) String Orchestra, Abess Park Elementary School Chorus, CAP Dance Ensemble from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Students in the Arts Stage Programming & Christmas Market
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
FREE (Market items for purchase)
Christmas Market from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Stage performances include: Jordan Judith (2:00-2:45 PM), Ft. Caroline Middle School of the Arts (3:00-3:15 PM), Global Leadership Academy Arts (3:25-3:35 PM), The Gift of Dance (3:45-3:55 PM), Palm Valley Academy Dance Team (4:05-4:20 PM), North Florida Twirling Academy (5:10-5:40 PM), UNF Dance Team (5:50-6:05 PM), Fascination Rhythm (6:15-6:45 PM).
2025 Deck The Chairs Arts in the Park #2
Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
FREE
Includes 'Deckin’ Duuuval With The Jags – Kids invited to paint Duuuval banners for public display'.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Friday, December 5, 2025 | Time TBD
FREE
Presented by The Florida Ballet and City of Jacksonville Beach.
Students in the Arts Stage Programming & Christmas Market
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 8:20 PM
FREE (Market items for purchase)
Christmas Market from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Stage performances include: Jacksonville Suzuki Strings (1:30 PM-2:30PM), Oceanway School of Dance and Performing Arts (2:45-3:15 PM), First Coast Ballet Theatre LLC (3:25-3:55 PM), Pine Forest Dance Ensemble (4:05-4:35 PM), Tacoi Creek High School (4:45-5:00 PM), Dansations (5:10-5:40 PM), Atlantic Coast Dance Studio (5:50-6:20 PM), Academy of Dance (6:30-7:00 PM), Scott Jones School of Dance (7:10-7:40 PM), Synergy Dance Company (7:50-8:20 PM).
Jax Beach Pier Dance
Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
FREE
Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND.
Students in the Arts Stage Programming
Friday, December 12, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
FREE
Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND. Performances include: The Discovery School Bands (5:00-6:00 PM), Beaches Chapel Handbell Ensemble (6:10-6:20 PM), Jax City Ballet School (6:30-7:00 PM), Hawkins School of Highland Dance (7:10-7:40 PM), BLA Dance Academy (7:50-8:20 PM), Bravo School of Dance (8:30-9:00 PM).
Students in the Arts Stage Programming
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 8:30 PM
FREE
Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND. Performances include: Tuba Christmas (1:00-2:00 PM), DSAJ STARZ (2:30-2:40 PM), Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (2:45-3:30 PM), Nancy Dance Studio (3:40-4:10 PM), First Coast Center for the Arts (4:20-4:50 PM), Jacksonville Country Day School (5:00-5:15 PM), Bolles Dance Company (5:25-5:40 PM), Fletcher High School (5:50-6:05 PM), The World of Dance and Talent (6:15-6:45 PM), Ray of Sunshine Theater Group (6:55-7:35 PM), Showtime USA! (7:45-8:30 PM).
2025 Deck The Chairs Arts In The Park #3
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
FREE
Includes 'Deckin’ With Scotie Cousin – Paint and decorate beach critters with local artist Scotie Cousin'.
St. Paul’s Night
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | Time TBD
FREE
Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND.
Worship Night
Friday, December 19, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
FREE
Includes Impact Church Worship Band. Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND.
Students in the Arts Stage Programming
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 8:05 PM
FREE
Presented by FUSION LIGHT & SOUND. Performances include: Now We’re Even (1:30-2:30 PM), SET Studio (3:00-3:45 PM), Heather Loveland Dance Academy (4:00-4:30 PM), Potter’s House Cheerleading and Allstars (4:40-5:10 PM), Fletcher Middle Dance Team (5:20-5:35 PM), Switzerland Dance School (5:45-6:30 PM), Dynamics Dance Inc (6:40-7:25 PM), Ballet Arts Centre (7:35-8:05 PM).
2025 Deck The Chairs Arts in the Park #4
Sunday, December 21, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
FREE
Includes 'Deckin’ With Santa Workshop – Join Santa for an ornament and coloring workshop'.
Christmas Eve Service
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
FREE
Presented by Ocean City Church.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Pep Rally
Friday, December 26, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
FREE
Includes ACC Band at 4:00 PM and SEC Band at 5:00 PM.
Jax Beach Deck The Chairs CLOSE
Friday, January 1, 2026 | 10 PM
FREE
The conclusion of the holiday event.
🍎Food Policy
- • Concessions support is available (implying food/drinks can be purchased or are provided by partners).
🛡️Safety Policy
- • DTC is developing more opportunities for safe, accessible arts experiences.
📅Booking Policy
- • Space is limited and chair decorators for sponsorship are assigned on a first come first serve basis.
🚗Parking Information
- • Tons of parking nearby (according to testimonials).
- • Easy parking (according to testimonials).
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Recent Reviews
astrida mcfarland
3 months ago12/19/24 The first night of our trip, we decided to go see the Deck the Chairs exhibition to get into that Christmasy mood in Jacksonville. It was around 11pm after we had dinner. We drove over to the area and found parking very easily. There is no charge for this exhibition. It is the size of a couple of short blocks to walk around in. It is well kept up with paved sidewalks. There were lots of families walking around at that time and it is well lit up so we were not scared to be out there. We found it relaxing and fun. There were nice exhibits that would appeal to all ages. We would go see it again next time we are in that area.
C Rod
5 months agoI've lived in Jacksonville since 2012, and this is the first time I've visited Deck the Chairs. It was rainy and cold, but I still wanted to go, so, off the family went! Finding street parking is a chore, however, there is a lot for public parking, right next to the display, and it's FREE!!! Lots of decorated beach chairs with colorful decor and lights! Nice animations and creative displays from various agencies and schools by students. I think we spent a total of 20 minutes walking around because the kiddies were complaining about being cold (they were both forewarned to wear coats, but teens think hoodies and layers are good for every cooler temps, not when the sun goes down!) Anyway, here are the pictures from the display. Enjoy and yes, because of my love of Christmas, I will come back again to see more chairs!
Dee G
5 months agoIt has been a family tradition at opening night, and it is so much fun that we usually will go at least 3 times before they take it down. We really enjoy the opening night and the other shows they provide through the week and weekends. A must-see every year, it gets better, amazing work.
Michelle Mauricio
5 months agoSo nice to have a free event that i can take my kids to! Parking was a bit of a challenge, so arrive a little early. But the fun and family photo opps are worth it! Even if it's freezing cold, like the night we went.
sharon brown-navarro
4 months agoAlthough this year, the flamingo decorated chair was nonexistent. But we enjoy our yearly visit.
Contact Information
1st Ave North and, 75 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, USA
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