Jacksonville Black History Month markets spotlight Black-owned businesses in Riverside and LaVilla on February 7
Two community markets anchor a day of Black History Month programming
Jacksonville is marking Black History Month with two public markets on Saturday, February 7, 2026—one in Riverside and another in LaVilla—each designed to pair commerce with cultural programming and neighborhood history.
The events are scheduled several hours apart, creating a citywide slate that spans the morning and afternoon. Organizers for both markets have framed the gatherings as opportunities to support Black-owned businesses while highlighting local artists, performers, and community voices.
Riverside Arts Market expands for a Black History Month collaboration
In Riverside, a Black History Month collaboration is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverside Arts Market, under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
Programming is built around a significant expansion of vendors and activities. Organizers have said more than 50 additional Black farmers, artists, and food vendors will join the market’s regular lineup, bringing the overall vendor count to more than 200. The market footprint is also expected to extend into Artist Walk Plaza to accommodate the larger number of participants and activities.
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: 715 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville (Riverside Arts Market)
Admission: Free
Live performances are planned throughout the event window, with music programming scheduled on both a plaza area and the market’s stage. Organizers have also promoted family-oriented, hands-on activities connected to Black art and culture.
LaVilla launches a first-ever Black History Market in a historic setting
Later in the day, LaVilla will host its first LaVilla Black History Market from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park (120 N. Lee St.). Admission is listed as free.
The event has been presented as a neighborhood-centered showcase combining shopping with a cultural program that includes fashion, music, and storytelling experiences led by local artists and community leaders. Organizers have also promoted the market as a way to recognize LaVilla’s legacy while reflecting the area’s continuing role in Jacksonville’s cultural landscape.
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
Where: 120 N. Lee St., Jacksonville (Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park)
Admission: Free
How the events connect culture, history, and local business
While the two markets differ in setting—one embedded in a weekly arts market and the other centered in a historic neighborhood park—both are structured around a similar model: bringing residents together to shop from Black-owned vendors while engaging with performances and community storytelling.
For attendees, the day offers two distinct windows—morning in Riverside and afternoon in LaVilla—each using public space and cultural programming to highlight Black entrepreneurship and local creative work.
Both events are scheduled for the same date, February 7, 2026, and are positioned as accessible public programming within Black History Month observances across Jacksonville.