First Coast Wind Symphony Presents: Holiday Concert "Sounds of the Season"

First Coast Wind Symphony Brings Holiday Tradition to Historic Riverside Church

The First Coast Wind Symphony opens the holiday season Saturday, December 5th at 5:00 PM with their "Sounds of the Season" concert at Riverside Presbyterian Church. This annual tradition fills the historic sanctuary with seasonal favorites performed by one of Jacksonville's premier community music ensembles. The two-hour program captures that early December moment when the holidays feel fresh and full of possibility, making it a perfect kickoff to the festive season.

What to Expect:

Riverside Presbyterian Church's sanctuary provides exceptional acoustics that showcase the wind symphony's full range, from delicate woodwind passages to powerful brass fanfares. The all-ages format draws families, music enthusiasts, and anyone seeking that traditional holiday concert experience without the stuffiness of formal venues. The 5:00 PM start time means the concert wraps up by 7:00 PM, leaving the evening open for dinner plans in the surrounding Five Points neighborhood.

Insider Tips:

- Plan to arrive by 4:30 PM since seating fills quickly for this popular annual concert
- The church sits in a residential area, so street parking requires patience and a willingness to walk a block or two
- Cummer Museum lots nearby offer overflow parking options within a few minutes' walk
- The sanctuary can run cool, especially with December temperatures dropping after sunset
- Bring the family—the program typically balances familiar carols with more sophisticated wind ensemble arrangements
- Check the First Coast Wind Symphony's social media closer to the date for the full program lineup

Getting There:

Riverside Presbyterian Church anchors the corner of Park Street and Post Street in the heart of the Five Points district. Street parking along Park Street and the surrounding residential blocks fills up early for evening events, so arriving with extra time helps. The Cummer Museum Parking areas on Riverside Avenue (199 meters away) and Post Street (264 meters away) provide convenient alternatives when street spots disappear. For those coming from downtown, Park Street runs directly through Five Points and connects easily to Main Street. The Fidelity National Financial Parking structure on Peninsular Place sits about 350 meters away, offering covered parking for those willing to take a short walk through the neighborhood.

Local Scene:

Five Points delivers exactly what a pre-concert dinner crowd needs—variety within steps of the venue. Hawkers Asian Street Food sits just 84 meters from the church, serving shareable plates that work perfectly for groups trying to time dinner before a 5:00 PM start. Cuisine 76 and Bar offers outdoor seating and a more upscale option about the same distance away. For something quick, 904 Tacos Five Points on Park Street keeps things casual and fast. After the concert wraps at 7:00 PM, Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House becomes the natural gathering spot with its extensive beer selection and relaxed atmosphere. BREW Five Points provides a quieter coffee shop option for those wanting to decompress post-concert without the bar scene. The neighborhood's walkability means most visitors park once and explore on foot, making the evening feel like a genuine Five Points experience rather than just a concert stop.