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Times are tough right now. And let’s be real… this economy is absolutely no joke.

Like a lot of people, I’ve been looking for ways to save money, which is exactly why I made it my mission to find extra free things to do in Jacksonville.

And when I say extra free… I mean no temptation to spend money at all.

Because yes — while I absolutely love places like Riverside Arts Market, and technically it’s free to attend… let’s be honest. Between the food trucks, local vendors, snacks, and cute finds, I am definitely tempted to spend money every single time.

So that’s where this series comes in.

I’m putting together a list of genuinely free things to do in Jacksonville — activities you or your family can enjoy without feeling pressured to open your wallet. I’ll also be updating this list monthly with new finds, videos, and links so you can keep coming back for more ideas.

Art in the Park with Jacksonville Parks & Recreation

My second “extra free” thing to do in Jacksonville was a program called Art in the Park, hosted by Jacksonville’s Parks & Recreation Department.

And y’all… this was such a good experience.

Basically, Jacksonville Parks & Rec offers free art classes led by a professional artist in beautiful parks across the city.

For this class, we visited Stockton Park in Ortega — and first of all, the park itself was absolutely beautiful. The scenery alone made it worth showing up.

Everything was set up outside with tables and chairs, and the best part?

All supplies were included.

Yep — no bringing your own paintbrushes, chairs, supplies, or anything else. You literally just bring yourself, and they handle the rest.

And in this economy? We love that.

Our instructor, Marsha, was amazing. She was fun, interactive, and made the whole class feel really welcoming.

Since it was springtime, we did watercolor flowers using a template she provided, and she walked us through different painting techniques to help bring everything together.

What I really loved was how comfortable the class felt.

Everyone was super friendly, supportive, and just there to have a good time. At the end, we all got to show off our designs, and it honestly felt like such a fun little community moment.

And Marsha? She stayed engaged the entire time — walking around, helping people individually, taking pictures, and making sure everyone felt encouraged.

I’m not even kidding… I kept thinking, Wait… this is FREE?

Because it genuinely felt like something people would normally pay for.

But nope — completely free.

No money spent. No surprise costs. Just a peaceful day in a beautiful park, learning something new.

Good to Know:

They also offer classes for children, teens, and adults, so there are options for different age groups. This particular one was adults only, but families definitely have opportunities too.

Important: Make sure you register ahead of time. From what I understand, registration matters, so don’t just show up assuming there will be space.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ART CLASSES

Final Thoughts:

If you’re in Jacksonville and looking for something fun, relaxing, creative, and actually free… this is definitely worth trying.

Especially if you’re like me and want to leave the house without accidentally turning a “free outing” into a $40 day.

And if you end up trying Art in the Park, let me know how it goes — I’d genuinely love to hear about your experience.

Catch y’all in the next post!