Hey Jax — keeping it short and sweet this week. But don't sleep on tonight. 🎤
Here's what's inside:
📊 WalletHub's best cities to retire — where does Jax land?
🌱 Small Business Spotlight: Pat's Nursery
🍸 St. Augustine's first-ever Cocktail Fest is happening RIGHT NOW
🎵 A loaded week of live music, markets, and big shows
📊 NEWS
Jacksonville ranks #45 on WalletHub's Best Cities to Retire — and Florida dominates the top spots
WalletHub just dropped its 2026 Best & Worst Places to Retire rankings, comparing 182 U.S. cities across 45 metrics — cost of living, healthcare, taxes, recreation, and more. Florida took three of the top five spots, including the #1 slot.
Here's what the data shows:
Orlando ranked #1 in the nation — thanks to no state income tax, affordable senior care, and a huge recreation scene
Jacksonville came in at #45 — solidly in the top quarter nationally
Florida placed 8 cities in the top 55, with no Florida city in the bottom tier
The worst cities were dominated by California and a few Northeast metros
What this means for you: If you've got parents or in-laws thinking about a move, this is your ammo. Jax holds its own. And if you're already here? You made a solid call.
🌱 SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Pat's Nursery — Your Spring Landscaping Secret Weapon
If your yard is still looking like it's stuck in February, it's time to meet Pat's Nursery out in Fleming Island.
This is a full-service, family-run nursery and garden center that's been serving Northeast Florida for nearly 30 years. They carry everything you need for a spring refresh — annuals, perennials, fruit trees, herbs, sod, mulch, pottery, and soil — plus they offer landscaping design and installation services if you'd rather hand it off to the pros.
What makes Pat's stand out is their focus on plants that actually thrive in North Florida's climate. They carry Proven Winners® and Monrovia varieties, which means you're getting quality stock, not clearance-rack plants that'll wilt by July.
They're open Monday–Saturday 8AM–5PM and Sunday 9AM–5PM at 7060 Hwy 17, Fleming Island.
Spring is the best time to get in and get your landscape sorted before the summer heat hits hard. Check them out here →
📅 EVENTS THIS WEEK
🛒 MARKETS
🎨 The Makers Market at Bold Bean Jax Beach — Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, Jacksonville Beach | Saturday, May 2, 10AM–2PM. Shop local makers, handmade goods, and grab the best coffee on the beach while you're at it. FREE to attend. More info →
🌊 Beaches Green Market — Jacksonville Beach | Fresh produce, local vendors, beach-town energy. More info →
🥦 Eartha's Farm & Market — Jacksonville | A local favorite for fresh, Florida-grown produce. More info →
🎵 LIVE MUSIC
🎷 Jazz at the Mudville Grille — The Mudville Grille, 3105 Beach Blvd | Every Monday night, 7–9PM, $10 cover (students free). Tonight is the 4th Monday — River City Rhythm Kings bring classic 1920s–40s jazz and a little bit of Mardi Gras. A Jacksonville tradition. Click here for info →
🎺 Bargain Thursday Live Jazz — Breezy Jazz House & Restuarant | Thursday 7PM - 10PM
🕺 Swing Dance Sunday — The Volstead, 115 W Adams St, Downtown Jax | 1st & 3rd Sunday, 7–10PM, FREE. Bold City Swing hosts a free beginner lesson at 7PM, open dancing until 10PM. No partner needed, no experience required. Just show up and move. More info →
🎤 BIG SHOWS
🎙️ Barry Manilow — TONIGHT — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | April 27, 7PM. This is the rescheduled farewell show — "MANILOW: The Last Jacksonville Concert." If you've got tickets, tonight's the night. Tickets →
😂 Jerry Seinfeld — Moran Theater at Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Water St | Friday, May 1, 7PM. One night only. Clean, sharp, legendary. Tickets →
🔮 Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience — Florida Theatre, 128 E Forsyth St | Friday, May 1, 7:30PM. The Long Island Medium brings her live show to Jax — group readings, personal stories, and more than a few tears. VIP photo packages available. Tickets →
🎧 Loud Luxury at Decca Live — 323 E Bay St, Downtown Jax | Friday, May 1, 10PM–3AM. The Canadian house duo behind "Body" hits Decca for a night of high-energy drops. VIP tables available. Tickets →
🪄 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ in Concert — Jacoby Symphony Hall, Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts | Friday May 1 & Saturday May 2, 7PM. The Jacksonville Symphony performs John Williams' entire score live while the film screens in HD. One of those events that's genuinely magical. Tickets →
🏈 SPORTS
🦈 Jacksonville Sharks vs. New Mexico Chupacabras — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Saturday, May 2, 7PM. Indoor football is fast, loud, and a great night out. Tickets →
🏈 Florida Avengers vs. Mississippi Panthers — Edward Waters University, 1658 Kings Rd | Saturday, May 10, 7PM. (Next confirmed home game — verify if there's one sooner) Women's full-contact tackle football. Come support this team. Tickets →
🍸 DOWN IN ST. AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine Cocktail Fest — Happening RIGHT NOW
North Florida's first-ever cocktail festival kicked off this morning and runs through tomorrow. April 27–28, 11AM–6PM at Embassy Suites by Hilton Oceanfront Resort, 300 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine. Tastings from local and international spirits brands, live music, bartender competitions, and seminars. Tickets run $87–$138. An easy day trip down the coast — and a really good excuse to go. Click here to get tickets →
7th Annual St. Augustine Craft Brewers' Festival — May 2, 1–5PM at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, 11 Magnolia Ave. 25+ local and regional breweries, food trucks, live music, and face painting for the kids. General admission $50 (advance) / $60 at the gate. VIP $120. This one consistently sells out — don't wait. Tickets and info →
That's it for today. Sorry it is so short, I have been busy! See you Wednesday Jax!
— Austin