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ATTENTION! Friday, December 24, the Lighting of the Basilica will be delayed by 1 hour for Christmas Eve Services.  The show will begin at 7 pm and run to 10 pm.  Thank you for your understanding.

Free, Festive, & Family-Friendly Christmas Event 

Join us November 27, 2021 through December 31, 2021 for a self-guided driving tour of the Cathedral District’s historic churches & landmark buildings, illuminated with thousands of lights. Enjoy audio narration as well as music by the Jacksonville Symphony while you savor this annual experience.

The Lighting of the Basilica FREE EVENT:

Visit the Lighting of the Basilica at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 121 East Duval Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. December 10 through December 26, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 10 pm.

*Please note if it is raining we will not be able to do the light show but will be open the next scheduled evening.

For three weekends before Christmas – December 10-26, Thursday through Sunday, an incredible Light Art & Sound Installation will take place on one of the Cathedral District’s Historic Churches! This visual marvel light installation designed by the Castano Group will be projected onto the façade of a church. Enjoy the spectacular beauty of the show accompanied by recorded performances coordinated with the lights by The Balance King, from the Cathedral District Church musicians, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus.

Light show repeats every 15 minutes.

Brought to you by Cathedral District Jax, Inc. the Basilica Lights is presented by Sight & Sound, with thanks to the Castano Group for their Visual Production and The Balance King for their Sound Production and for generously offering this Christmas Light Art Installation as a high point for LET THERE BE LIGHT! This is the third year for this FREE EVENT is brought to you by the Cathedral District – Jax, Inc.

When:

The Cathedral District is lighting trees throughout the district every evening November 27 through December 31.  Take our self guided audio tour to learn about the history and architecture of this unique part of the city.

Opening Night
On November 27, 2021, 6:00-9:00 pm starting at Main Street Park will kick off Christmas in the Cathedral with live music and tours of the historical churches in the district.  Tour the district with our driving or walking audio tour and find more live bands and hear about the architectural wonders of different historic buildings at your own pace.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, First United Methodist Church, Historic Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and St John’s Episcopal Cathedral will shine as part of a self driving tour that includes more than 150 brightly lit trees. Other significant historic landmark buildings of the Cathedral District will be illuminated as well including Morocco Temple, Bedell Law Firm, and Elena Flats.

Opening “bells” at 6 p.m. with all five churches ringing simultaneously for a full five minutes. Visitors enjoy audio narration (with introduction by Courtney Lewis), recorded music on the audio tour and live music on Opening Night.

To get a glimpse of the tour take a look at the videos from 2020.

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Enjoy safely from your car. Click on the links below to find:

Helpful Links

Thank you to our Cathedral District – Jax Board of Directors, our Historic Churches, and our Community Donors and Partners for Making this Event Possible!

With thanks to our individual donors:
Insetta Family Foundation
William Barnett Family
J.F. Bryan IV
Ronald Bergwerk

Joannie & Russell Newton Jr.
Tony Sleiman Family
Thom and Dana Wilkinson

2021 Angel Sponsors

2021 Street Sponsors

Church Partners

In Kind and Media Sponsors

Light Sponsors

Production Partners

Cathedral District Jax is growing a leafy, vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. Anchored by five historic churches, the 36-block Cathedral District includes businesses, residential housing, neighborhood schools, public art, employment opportunities and more.