Downtown Jacksonville is swapping out Friendship Fountain for a new Halloween home this year. JaxParks is hosting its annual Treats at the Plaza event today, Halloween, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverfront Plaza, located at 2 W. Independent Drive, with free trick-or-treating, candy tents, costume contests and a performance by the Jacksonville Symphony.
According to actionnewsjax.com, the free event will feature more than 40 candy and treat tents hosted by local businesses and nonprofit organizations, along with free street parking for attendees. Scheduled entertainment includes costume contests, an Evil Laugh competition, and the symphony performance, the station reports.
The move to Riverfront Plaza comes after last year's event outgrew its previous location. Organizers said in a statement carried by einpresswire.com that “we have moved it over to Riverfront Plaza,” following a 2025 celebration at Friendship Fountain that drew nearly 5,000 guests with help from more than 50 community partners, entertainers and vendors.
What Families Can Expect at Riverfront Plaza
Beyond the candy tents and contests, the event's free activities list includes mini pumpkin painting, face painting, story time, candy apples and photo opportunities, per the same account from actionnewsjax.com. Costume contests are broken into age divisions covering ages 0 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12, plus a best-group category.
The press release from einpresswire.com also mentions a haunted house, spooky entertainment and food trucks as part of the lineup. Separately, news4jax.com describes the gathering simply as a free event with trick-or-treating, costume contests, music, food trucks and pumpkin painting.
A Citywide Nod to Halloween Weekend
The city itself teased the gathering ahead of time, with the City of Jacksonville, Florida - Government posting on Facebook asking residents, “Who's ready for some Halloween fun this weekend?” That post highlighted the same Riverfront Plaza lineup of treats and candy tents, costume contests, food trucks and live entertainment featuring the Jacksonville Symphony.
With the new downtown venue and a packed slate of family activities, JaxParks appears to be banking on Riverfront Plaza having the room to match — or exceed — last year's turnout at Friendship Fountain.
