The early 20th century brought cultural dynamism to Jacksonville. The city’s role as a railroad hub made it a gathering point for holiday travelers. Union Terminal buzzed with activity each December, as families reunited for Christmas journeys. Jacksonville also became a center for African American culture, with LaVilla and the Eastside neighb

By the late 19th century, Jacksonville had become a winter resort destination, attracting wealthy northerners who brought with them elaborate Christmas customs. Hotels such as the Windsor and St. James decorated lavishly, hosting grand balls and feasts. Wealthy visitors demanded imported delicacies, while local residents adopted more elaborate trad

After its establishment in the 1820s, Jacksonville remained a small frontier town. Christmas offered one of the few moments of communal joy in a difficult environment. Churches were central to festivities, with Protestant congregations holding candlelit services. Local diaries from the 1830s and 1840s suggest that Christmas in Jacksonville was l

Jacksonville, Florida, a city shaped by the St. Johns River and the Atlantic coastline, has long been a place of cultural blending, economic growth, and community spirit. Among its many traditions, Christmas has remained a cornerstone of civic and family life. From the modest celebrations of early settlers to today’s dazzling parades and light fe