Free events in St. Marys, GA

Jacksonville’s Westside parkrun takes place on the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail and features a free, timed 5K for runners and walkers. It is open to all, including spectators and volunteers. The start and finish are at the Halsema Trailhead. Participants are asked to register ahead of time and bring a barcode to the park. This local edition of the global parkrun tradition offers a friendly run or walk on the rail trail.

Rescheduled due to a hurricane, this volunteer work day focuses on maintaining the mountain bike trails at Tillie K Fowler Regional Park. Meet at the yellow gate near the mountain bike trail entrance and skills area. Bring gloves and water. Tools are available on site, and you are welcome to bring your preferred tools. Work will include clearing debris and inspecting the wooden features along the trails. Hosted by SORBA Jax.

The Mandarin Harvest Market offers free admission and brings together more than 160 vendors with both indoor and outdoor shopping. Shoppers will find handmade creations, goods from local businesses, farmers market selections, gifts, home decor, jewelry, toys, clothing, and more. Food trucks provide plenty of bites and drinks, a playground gives kids a place to play, and pets are welcome. It is an easy way to handle Halloween and Thanksgiving purchases while also picking up early Christmas gifts.

Anyone affected by someone else’s drinking will find a welcoming, confidential, and cost-free support meeting through the S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group. This weekly Open meeting in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island gathers at the Alachua Club and offers a peer fellowship for relatives and friends of alcoholics. It is separate from AA and is not intended for the person with the drinking problem. Participants share and listen to personal stories, practical insights, and hopeful perspectives that can ease isolation, deepen understanding of how alcoholism affects families, and encourage more constructive ways to respond. Support is available whether the drinker in your life is still using, sober, in recovery, unwilling to seek help, or no longer present. Observers are welcome too, including professionals, medical personnel, students, reporters, and anyone interested in how alcohol impacts families and loved ones. The meeting location is accessible. S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group, AFG #2564, North Florida District 3. First-time attendees are welcome.

Furever Vets Central hosts the annual Trunks N Treats, a free celebration for the whole community where kids, teens, pets, and pet parents can enjoy the spirit of fall. Explore the facility on guided tours, meet Dr. Baxter, browse a bustling vendor village, and enjoy music from a live DJ. The day features outdoor games and activities, seasonal arts and crafts for children and pets, themed cars set up for trunk or treating, a bounce house, coupon giveaways, and food trucks offering meals for purchase. Costumes are encouraged for everyone, pets included. A live pet costume fashion show invites creative looks across five categories, including movie inspired, classic Halloween, couples costumes, freestyle, and entries featuring a stroller, carrier, backpack, or wagon. Registration opens at the start of the event with on site sign ups only, and participants must be present to win. Judging is conducted live, and the runway showcase takes place by the DJ booth and red carpet area. There will not be a centralized raffle collection, though individual vendors may host their own at their stations.

The fourth annual Community Monster Mash brings the fair back to the Moncrief neighborhood with spooky fun and practical support for the whole family. Highlights include a firetruck from JFRD, complimentary candy, food, and treats, free community resources, lively music, raffles, and more.

Restoration Baptist Church presents a family-friendly fall festival filled with seasonal fun. Enjoy free hotdogs, popcorn, nachos, and cotton candy, along with hayrides, an indoor glow maze, and a variety of games. The evening wraps up with a fireworks show. All activities and refreshments are complimentary.

This open Al-Anon Family Group in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island offers a confidential, free meeting space for anyone whose life has been affected by another person’s drinking. The group gathers weekly at the Alachua Club on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Newcomers are welcome, and the venue is accessible for people with disabilities. Al-Anon is a mutual support fellowship for relatives and friends of people with alcohol problems. It is separate from AA and is not intended for the person who is drinking. Participants share experience, strength, and hope, which can ease isolation, build understanding of how alcoholism touches families and loved ones, and encourage healthier ways to respond, one day at a time. This is an open meeting. Family members and friends are invited, and observers are welcome too, including healthcare professionals, medical staff, students, reporters, and anyone interested in learning about the impact of alcohol on families. S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group, AFG #2564, is part of North Florida District 3. You do not have to face this alone.

Senior Fit: Music & Motion returns with a lively 30 minute music powered workout led by Aleta Turner. This aerobic class pairs simple movement with familiar tunes spanning many decades, creating a welcoming space to build strength, stay active, and connect with neighbors and friends. Designed with older adults in mind, it is adaptable and welcomes adults of all ages and ability levels. There is no cost to participate. Sessions take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.

Enjoy a complimentary Pilates session with JETSET Modern Pilates at The Block Jax. Bring a mat and invite a friend. The class centers on precise, flowing movement and a customized approach to full-body conditioning. Expect JETSET’s signature sequences paired with curated DJ playlists for an immersive experience that builds strength, flexibility, and endurance. Skilled instructors provide clear guidance and adjustments throughout so the workout fits your needs and keeps motivation high. A signed The Block Jax fitness liability waiver is required for participation and must be on file. If you have already completed a waiver for a previous event at The Block Jax, you do not need to sign again.

This family-friendly story time features read-alouds, simple learning activities, crafts, and play for young children and their caregivers. Sessions are organized by age, with one for toddlers ages 0 to 36 months and another for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 years. There will be a pause on one week due to Haunted Library Cleanup. For questions, call the library at (912)729-3741.

People affected by someone else’s drinking will find a welcoming, confidential space at the S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. This weekly gathering at The Alachua Club is free and open to newcomers. Al-Anon is a peer support fellowship for relatives and friends of people with alcohol problems. It is separate from AA and is not intended for the person who is drinking. Participants talk about what has helped them, learn ways to navigate the impact of alcoholism on families, and explore healthier responses to difficult situations. Whether the drinker is active, sober, in recovery, unwilling to seek help, or no longer part of your life, the group offers perspective and support. This is an open meeting, so family and friends are welcome, along with observers such as professionals, medical personnel, students, and media. The location is accessible. S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group, AFG #2564, is part of North Florida District 3.

Wind down midweek at The Spa at Omni Amelia Island with a complimentary wine tasting created in partnership with The Bottle Shop. Each gathering highlights a rotating selection paired with light bites and product samples in a relaxed, social atmosphere. It is a casual way to discover new favorites, spend time with friends, and meet new faces in a serene spa setting.

Best Trivia Night Live brings its North Florida trivia games to Jacksonville, featuring one show at Cruisers Grill and two at Veterans United Craft Brewery. It is free to play and there are chances to win, offering an easygoing night of friendly competition with friends.

Every Thursday features crab legs priced below frozen grocery store options, along with free live music on a waterfront deck. Enjoy seafood and live tunes by the water in a relaxed setting.

A celebration at Canine Social honors Princess Peach, a beagle turning seven after nearly seven years at Ridglan Farms, a research breeding facility in Wisconsin. This will be her first real birthday party, with a special tribute to the guest of honor, pupcakes for canine companions, and pizza for the humans. The gathering offers a friendly setting to meet fellow dog lovers from Jacksonville and Gainesville and to recognize a journey of resilience and second chances. All breeds are welcome. If a dog has not previously been registered at Canine Social, please bring current vaccination records for registration.

If someone else’s drinking has affected your life, this open Al-Anon Family Group meeting offers a welcoming place to connect and find support in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. The S.O.S. Al-Anon Family Group, AFG #2564 in North Florida District 3, meets at The Alachua Club and gathers weekly. Family members and friends are invited, and observers such as professionals, medical personnel, students, and reporters may attend. Al-Anon is a peer support group for those impacted by another person’s drinking. It is separate from AA and is intended for loved ones rather than the person with the drinking problem. While there is no simple solution to alcoholism, Al-Anon can help you cope with challenges, understand how the illness affects families and relationships, and practice healthier responses. Participants talk about what they have been through and what has helped, which can ease isolation, build understanding, and encourage taking each day as it comes. Whether the drinker is still using, sober, in recovery, unwilling to seek help, or no longer in your life, you can find perspective and hope here. There is no cost to attend, privacy is respected, newcomers are welcome, and the location is handicap accessible.