For the 36th year, Riverside Avondale Preservation's Luminaria brings the people of Riverside and Avondale together for a night of lights, celebrations, and good cheer.

The celebration begins when neighborhood luminaries are lit at dusk, and several community organizations have special events planned as well. Pick up your kits at the RAP office (2623 Herschel Street) Tuesday through Friday from 10 - 2. Starting December 12 you can pick up on Saturdays from 10 -4 and Sundays from noon to 5.

Luminaria was started in the Riverside Avondale area in 1974 by Jerry Spinks, neighbor and member of Riverside Avondale Preservation.  Residents set luminaries on the sidewalks and walkways between their houses as a way to light the way between homes, inviting friends and neighbors to travel from house to house while celebrating the season and enjoying each other’s company.

Luminaria has since become one of the premier holiday events in Jacksonville and a legacy for the Riverside Avondale area.  Luminaria is a community-driven event that involves many volunteers and local celebrations throughout the district.  It is a wonderful example of community pride and dedication to the neighborhood.

Each year, Riverside Avondale Preservation depends on our volunteers to make Luminaria a success.  For our 2019 celebration, 33 volunteers donated over 135 hours of their time to help us assemble and sell 3,500 Luminaria kits.  Thanks to the individuals who purchased their kits from our RAP office, as well as our generous sponsors, we were able to donate 950 kits (that’s 5,700 candles!) to area parks and places of worship at no cost to them.