Deck The Chairs (DTC) is an annual holiday event held in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, transforming the beachfront into a festive display of decorated lifeguard chairs and lights. Established in 2013, the event is a free, multi-week celebration that benefits students through collaborative visual and performing arts activities [1]. It attracts thousands of visitors during the holiday season and involves over 2,100 students in decorating, stage performances, and volunteer activities [1].

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Deck The Chairs in Jacksonville Beach for the 2025 holiday season runs from November 26, 2025, to January 1, 2026 [5]. The event is free and open to the public, with lights illuminating the display nightly from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. [3] [4]. The main location for Deck The Chairs is Latham Plaza and Seawalk Pavilion, situated at 75 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach, FL [4] [5].

The heart of the event lies in the decorated lifeguard chairs, which are the same chairs used on the beach during the summer months [4]. In 2025, there will be 70 decorated chairs on display [2]. These chairs are adorned by volunteers, often representing sponsoring organizations such as local businesses, artists, and nonprofits [3] [4] [5]. The event kicks off with a visual arts activity for students at 1:30 p.m. on opening day, followed by performances on the Seawalk Pavilion stage [2] [4].

Beyond the decorated chairs, Deck The Chairs offers a variety of activities and attractions. These include a nightly light show that illuminates downtown Jacksonville Beach hourly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. [2]. The SeaSongs Musical Light Show is an interactive lighted exhibit that responds to movement with musical chords [4]. There will also be two DTC Christmas Markets on November 29 and December 6, featuring around 50 vendors selling various goods [2] [4].

Other scheduled activities for the 2025 season include four free daytime visual arts activities for kids, such as "Deck The Light Show" on opening day, "Deck Duuuval," "Deck with Scotie Cousin," and "Deck with Santa" [2]. Scotie’s Critter Jam, where students can paint and decorate life-sized beach critters with artist Scotie Cousin, is scheduled for Sunday, December 14, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. [1]. The event also hosts Tuba Christmas on Saturday, December 13, with over 150 tuba, euphonium, and sousaphone players performing holiday classics [4]. Pep rallies for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl teams are planned for Friday, December 26, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. [4]. Additional activities include a free "Nutcracker" performance, a dance on the Jacksonville Pier, Worship Night, and a Christmas Eve service [4].

Deck The Chairs is a non-profit organization that strengthens the community by inspiring children in creative collaboration [4] [5]. Money raised through chair sponsorships goes back to the community through art education non-profits [5]. Parking is generally free and available throughout Jacksonville Beach, though there is no designated parking for the event [4] [5]. Food trucks are present but limited to encourage patronage of local restaurants, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are permitted [4].