Jacksonville movers and shakers back up the city's holiday traditions

When it comes to holiday traditions, Jacksonville’s movers and shakers like what their city has to offer when it comes to Yuletide celebrations. December’s Power Poll in Jacksonville shows the locals like their own unique seasonal celebrations.

Out of those who responded to our poll on Jacksonville holiday celebrations, coastal traditions received the most supporters with 29% saying they like the “Deck the Chairs” display at the Jacksonville Beaches the best. Another 24% said they favored the Riverside and Avondale Luminaria displays while 18% found the ZooLights at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to be the biggest draw.

Meanwhile almost an equal number, 17%, found the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade on the St. Johns River to be their favorite tradition. Another 5% said they like shopping at the St. Johns Town Center with festive surroundings to be the tradition they liked the most and another 8% said “other.”

When it comes to pride in local holiday traditions, Jacksonville power players have quite a bit of civic pride. Among the participants in December’s Power Poll, 50% said Jacksonville’s holiday traditions are great with traditions exclusive to the area while, at the same time, we import a lot of traditions from other places. Another 33% of the poll respondents said Jacksonville’s holiday traditions are OK, but it’s hard to get into the holiday spirit when you’re in Florida while another 6% said this town doesn’t know how to do holidays. Another 11% said they don’t know or have no opinion.

Religion is still key to the purpose of the holidays in Jacksonville. Among those who answered Power Poll questions, 38% said their religion is the very purpose of the holiday season. Another 33% said religion is a factor, but generally they just like the holiday season. Not far behind, 26% of respondents said religion plays no role at all and they just want to get festive no matter what people believe in while 3% said they can’t stand the holidays, regardless of religion.

Thanks for taking part in the December Power Poll. Look for our next Power Poll in the Bold New City of the South in January.