Blackhawk Bluff Christmas Lights Display

Found Blackhawk Bluff on a list of top 10 light displays in Jax--this was number one!Definitely worth a look, even in traffic, but I must warn you there will be traffic! The lights are bountiful and so well done! I saw effort and creativity to rival some of the nation's best displays I've seen. These neighbors certainly must be willing to put hundreds of hours and dollars into their displays each and every year, and not one house was slacking or bare. I also can't imagine their sacrifice of privacy and safety with so much constant traffic from dusk until probably 10pm for more than a month of their year! I kept thinking, what if God forbid someone needed an ambulance? What if you ran out of some needed grocery for a work or school lunch the next day and had to run out to the store? It is quite an enormous effort these folks make for their community's pleasure.We thought going at 8:40pm would eliminate a lot of traffic since it was past bedtime for a lot of the kid audience. But it was Christmas break so no one seemed to be following any bedtime schedule. TONS OF TRAFFIC!One could drive the 0.6mi circle through these two side streets in 4 minutes on a regular day, but it took us 40 minutes at Christmas. Starting with a back up on the main strip before turning into either of the two side streets with lights, until the car in front of us decided to disobey traffic laws to hold everyone up an added 5 minutes at the very end, it took a full 40mins to complete the light tour. This was even WITH some luck taking the opposite direction of the main traffic, and catching almost half the tour with no one in our lane going that direction.Most of the people were in a mellow mood, out to enjoy family time, with no impatient honking or chaos. The one car that chose to hold people up was clearly a group of individuals struggling to get their lives together and substances were likely involved. We were both disgusted and horrified at their blatant endangering behavior around families with young children.Other than the traffic and random creeps, I would recommend this stop to anyone visiting at holiday time!

We were out to find as many Christmas lights displays as possible while in Jacksonville. This one was recommended to us by locals that we met while sightseeing.It was really fun and even though there were many cars going thru the many blocks of lights, they all were driving at a good pace while getting their pictures and looking at the displays. Don't worry about not sitting on the best side because you do a U-turn and come back so you get to see everything. The drive took about a half hour. It was fun, we recommend it!

In my opinion this is the #1 Christmas light display to see in Jacksonville! So many houses participate. The handmade stars and the way they string the lights are something I've never seen before. It's absolutely magical! I go multiple times every season. You do have to think about the day and time you go because there can be unbearable traffic (like an hour to get in) but if you plan it right you can avoid the long wait times. I usually spend about 45 minutes here but I like to take it all in slowly, you could even go just for fifteen minutes if that's all you have. It's great to bring a mug of hot chocolate, get a Christmas playlist geared up, and roll down your windows to hear all the kids screaming Merry Christmas at every car. One of the best Jacksonville traditions!

Excellent free Christmas outing for the family.Great opportunity for pictures.Be prepared for traffic

I found out about this neighborhood light display from an Instagram reel, and photos/videos do not do it justice. I was totally impressed with this incredible neighborhood light display. We came over the bridge from Mayport which was definitely the right move, as the lane of people coming from the other direction was much longer. Yes, you are in a line of cars for a while (about 30 minutes for us), but we blasted Christmas music and had all the windows open just enjoying the festivities. Once we got to the lights, the police are there to direct traffic. You can loop around to see both sides of the streets lights. Little kids hanging out the windows yelling Merry Christmas was the cutest thing ever. Everyone was so happy and excited. We were there for a little over an hour and really, really enjoyed it. The best part is, it's free!! They should definitely accept donations for a good cause since there are so many people visiting this free attraction. We will visit again next year!

Visited the lights again last Monday...perfect time to go, around 7. Grabbed the kid's peppermint milkshakes and headed out. Wait time was short, only 15 minutes at the time/on that day. Definitely made the experience better. We looped a few times, well, because we could. Kids loved that as we could revisit our faves...including a house with lights to the best of the music. Everyone was in a festive mood too. Only lacking a star as I love seeing owners of the homes camp out and interact, and I guess the light crowd we benefited from meant they stayed inside too. Still fun!

The neighborhood does a wonderful job at decorating and participating. They now have CSO/JSO directing traffic at the main road. Make sure to get there early around Christmas, or be prepared to wait. Best of all. It's FREE!

It's always wonderful to be able to drive through the neighborhood and see all of the mystical lights. We took a chance and went very early(dusk)on 12/24/20. We breezed in and breezed out before the traffic got real bad. I try to come here every year. This area is is right off of Girvin Road.

I live off Girvin- so this is a love -hate relationship. My first Holiday season in the new house and I have to wrap my head around the traffic in the evenings because of this wonderment of a lights display. It's cool- the neighborhood coming together to flood light throughout the season. Lights strung over streets, so much to see and oohhh- ahhhh over. I was talking with my neighbor last night about trying to remember if we are coming home in the evening to account for the mass pandemonium that is a parking lot of cars on Girvin waiting to access the Black Hawk Neighborhoods. My son who lives with us is unfortunate in that he comes home from work right when things start to back up! Summary- it definitely is worth seeing- I suggest early evening and probably on a week night. Be prepared to stop and wait to access the light display. Kids of all ages will enjoy it. And try to be courteous to other drivers- some of us are just trying to get home.

One of my fav holiday traditions at chris time is finding a great neighborhood decoration display to walk ie drive through. But this is my first Christmas in JAX from SoCal. So it took some hunting. We found a place from watching people decorate and then confirmed online via google that Blackhawk Bluff was a place to go. But no yelp reviews?!?!?! Whaaaaaat!?!?! This crisis must be averted!Here's a secret... go around 930 on a Mon- Thurs (non holiday dates) starting 2nd week of December (think 12/14 fir example). There is no fee (online it said $25 but includes hot chocolate) and now crowded streets. Some houses aren't lit and some turn off at 10pm but there is still traffic control snd you can enjoy the decor at a slow no-pressure pace! See my photos / videos.Lights are on the S & N side of Garvin. Lots to see.But for the full intense experience and fee, go on weekends or closer to Christmas or earlier in the evening.Back in CA, we'd park and walk in to the display neighborhoods. There were carolers, live music, goodies to buy, and lights set to music. I imagine Blackhawk Bluff will have that too. But I didn't catch that on visit #1. Just super grateful for the home owners who put this all together for visitors. And I wanted our yelp community to get the good word out!