Florida FinFest 2024
Every September Jacksonville Beach transforms into more than a seaside getaway it becomes the heart of Florida’s most unique festival: Florida Fin Fest. What sets Fin Fest apart is its purpose, on one hand it’s a music festival showcasing incredible local, regional, and national artists. On the other, it’s a family friendly celebration of ocean conservation, marine science, and environmental education.
In 2024 I had the pleasure of shooting the festival, Fin Fest returned bigger and better than ever, bringing together thousands of ocean lovers, music fans, and curious minds for a weekend that was equal parts concert, classroom, and community gathering. The most anticipated set of the weekend belonged to Flipturn, Jacksonville’s own indie rock darlings who’ve been steadily building a reputation as one of Florida’s breakout bands. Their Friday night headlining set on the R-Team Stage was more than just a performance it was a celebration with the community where they were from. Crowds swayed as Flipturn’s guitars and soaring vocals carried across the oceanfront pavilion, a perfect soundtrack to a salty breeze and a gorgeous sunset. For longtime fans, it was a chance to celebrate how far the band has come while rooting their success back in Jacksonville’s thriving music scene. For newcomers it was an introduction to a band that has helped define the sound of modern Florida indie music.
Flipturn’s lyrics often weave themes of memory, longing, and connection fitting for a festival devoted to reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect the ocean. Their set became more than entertainment, it felt like an anthem for the weekend’s conservation message. While Flipturn stole the spotlight Friday, the festival’s strength lay in its eclectic lineup that pulled from multiple genres. St. Paul & The Broken Bones capped off Saturday night with their fiery mix of soul and gospel infused rock, leaving the crowd dancing barefoot in the sand.
Across the two days the festival also featured Stop Light Observations, Faze Wave, El Castillo, Easy Honey, Brave Baby, Vincent Antone, Prizilla, and Madison Hughes, among others. Each artist added a unique flavor grooves, acoustic harmonies, electronic beats mirroring the diversity of the very ecosystems the festival was working to protect. The music was carefully curated to flow seamlessly from afternoon sunshine to moonlit energy, proving that conservation festivals don’t have to be quiet or solemn. They can be loud, joyful, and filled with dancing.
What truly sets Fin Fest apart from other festivals is the Education Village. Families wandered through interactive stations that transformed conservation into a hands on adventure and education.
Virtual reality headsets transported kids and adults alike to underwater worlds, letting them swim alongside sea turtles and coral reefs without ever leaving Jacksonville Beach.
Touch tanks set up in partnership with Jacksonville University gave children the chance to feel the texture of sea stars and horseshoe crabs, sparking wonder in ways that textbooks never could.
Science panels and talks brought together marine biologists, educators, and conservation leaders who shared practical ways people can help from reducing plastic waste to protecting shorebird nesting grounds.
The Education Village wasn’t just for kids either. Adults engaged deeply with the content, many walking away with a newfound sense of urgency about climate change and the fragility of Florida’s coastal ecosystems. One of the most powerful aspects of Fin Fest 2024 was how seamlessly music and conservation blended together. The festival’s organizers made sure every detail reflected its eco-conscious mission.
Plastic-free commitment: No single-use plastics were allowed on site, encouraging attendees to bring reusable bottles and vendors to find creative packaging solutions.
Sustainable partners: Local nonprofits and green businesses set up booths, showing festivalgoers how small, everyday changes can create big environmental impact.
Community clean up vibe: The festival didn’t just end when the last guitar chord rang out. Volunteers and attendees came together to leave the beach cleaner than they found it, this is what Fin Fest stands for this is what sets them apart from the rest.
Art and activism gave the festival a refreshing sense of purpose, concertgoers weren’t just enjoying themselves; they were participating in something bigger. Jacksonville Beach has always been more than a backdrop for Fin Fest it’s the reason the festival exists. Northeast Florida’s coastline is rich in biodiversity, from its nesting sea turtles to its migrating right whales. But it also faces urgent threats including rising sea levels, plastic pollution, and overdevelopment. By hosting Fin Fest on the very shoreline it seeks to protect, the festival creates a powerful connection between place and purpose. As Flipturn played against the sound of waves and St. Paul & The Broken Bones lit up the boardwalk, it was impossible to forget what was at stake. Jacksonville Beach became both stage and classroom.
Another remarkable feature of Fin Fest is that it’s free to attend. While many music festivals charge hundreds of dollars for entry, Fin Fest makes it a priority to be inclusive and accessible to all. That accessibility is crucial. By removing financial barriers, the festival opens the door for families, students, and community members who might not otherwise engage with conservation or live music. It’s a true community festival, fueled not by exclusivity but by inclusivity. Fin Fest 2024 wasn’t just a weekend eventit was a movement in the right direction to preach conservation. The success of last year’s festival has already sparked conversations about expanding its conservation programming, deepening partnerships with schools, and bringing even more diverse voices to the stage. As climate change and coastal erosion continue to threaten Florida, festivals like Fin Fest prove that awareness and action can go hand in hand with joy and celebration. Music has always had the power to move people, and here it’s being used to inspire real world change.
