January
Annual
Matanzas 5K & Fun Run
Held in late January
Location: Swing Park and Bayfront
904-797-7575
Take
the lead, just keep pace or cheer from the sidelines
one of St. Augustine’s most
popular races. This 5K run begins from Swing Park and
continues downtown
along the bay front. Race begins at 9:00 a.m. and is
followed by an awards ceremony.
Lighthouse Challenge
Held
in late January – early February
Location:
Lighthouse & Museum, Anastasia
Island
904-829-0745
Test
your endurance and ability with an obstacle course
for visitors of all ages at the
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum.
In conjunction with Super Sunday, find out if football
fans of today are as rough and ready as the lighthouse
keepers of bygone days. Join a host of celebrities, football
personalities and fans in tying a sailor's knot to retrieve
a key, climbing the tower to unlock instructions for
the next task, finding clues hidden among the museum's
exhibits, toting oil to a waiting ship, and performing
a variety of football-related tasks.
Colonial Town
Held
in late January – early February
Location: Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum
904-825-6830
Step
back in time and see what life was like in the 1700's
with soldiers, tradesmen, artisans,
and their
families going through typical daily activities. Includes
extended activities in the Colonial Spanish Quarter and
costumed "townsfolk" at large in the city ready
to answer questions.
Annual Saint Photios National Shrine Pilgrimage
Held in late January
Location: St. Photios Shrine
904-829-8205
Join the annual pilgrimage celebrating the feast of
the patron of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National
Shrine. Religious services will be conducted on Saturday
evening and Sunday morning at the Saint Photios Chapel
on St. George Street, followed by the National Shrine
Day Luncheon at the Casa Monica Hotel.
St. Augustine Bed Race
Held in late January
Location: Cathedral Place
904-829-0745
Laugh at the representatives of St. Augustine Historic
Inns indulging in hilarity pushing, pulling and rolling
their beds on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. along Cathedral
Place in historic downtown turned into a riotous race
course.
February
Changing of the Guard
Held in early February
Location: Government House
904-825-1004
Relive an evening in 1740 in this reenactment of the
Spanish garrison securing the town for the night. Ceremony
includes a march along St. George Street and a military
drill, with commands in Spanish, ending with a musket
volley. Afterwards, the soldiers will interact with the
public, answering questions and posing for photos.
Annual San Sebastian Winefest
Held in late February
Location: San Sebastian Winery
904-826-1594
Celebrate
the new wine releases at San Sebastian Winery, 157
King Street. Complimentary tours
and wine tasting
are offered. Local artists will display and sell their
original work. Listen to live music in ‘The Cellar
Upstairs’ Wine and Jazz Bar throughout the entire
weekend on the open-air deck. A selection of San Sebastian
wine, beer, soft drinks and light appetizers are available
for purchase.
March
Native American Indian Festival
Held in early March
Location: Francis Field
888-277-0188
Sample buffalo stew, roasted corn and other Indian food
at this annual outdoor event that features the food,
music, art and craftsmanship of Native Americans.
Menorcan Heritage Celebration
Held in early March
Location: Oldest House Complex
904-824-2872
Celebrate
Menorcan culture with mullet net making, weavers, children’s
games, Menorcan family photos, story telling, real
Menorcan clam chowder,
rice pilaf, fromajardes
cakes and more.
The
Sack of St. Augustine: Captain Robert Searle’s
Raid of 1668
Held in early March
Location: Fountain of Youth Park
904-829-9792
Relive a calamitous day in history as the Historic Florida
Militia reenacts the Sack of St. Augustine in 1668. From
their encampment at Fountain of Youth Park, where visitors
can see, examine and photograph 17th century arms, equipment
and even food, the buccaneers travel by boat and land
on the bay side of the Downtown Plaza. Spanish troops
and frightened citizens flee up St. George Street to
the Santo Domingo Redoubt at Cordova and Orange Streets,
where a battle commences. Unable to capture the Redoubt,
the buccaneers.
Annual Lions Club Seafood Festival
Held in mid March
Location: Francis Field on Castillo Drive
904-829-1753
Sample
seafood prepared by culinary lions. The festival also
includes an RV show, hot air balloon
rides, Bluegrass
music, and an arts & crafts show. All proceeds benefit
Lions Club charities.
Annual
Lighthouse Festival & Michelob
Ultra 5K
Held in mid March
Location: St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum
904-829-0745
The
historic Light Station will offer something for everyone,
including living history activities,
live entertainment,
pony rides, children's games and crafts, a variety of
refreshments, and even a baked goods contest. The Annual
Michelob Ultra Twilight 5K Run begins at 4:30 p.m. on
the road in front of the Keeper’s House. Advance
registration is required to take part in the 5K Run.
Rhythm and Ribs Festival
Held in mid March
Location: St. Francis Field on Castillo Drive
904-797-7924
Stomp your feet and smack your lips at this annual festival
featuring championship BBQ dishes from around the country.
A variety of outstanding entertainment throughout the
weekend at St. Francis Field on Castillo Drive. Shuttles
from Downtown and San Sebastian Winery.
Blessing of the Fleet
Held in mid March
Location: City Marina
904-825-1004
Witness a ceremony that dates back hundreds of years
as those that take to the sea, in commercial and pleasure
craft alike, receive a blessing from the Bishop of the
Diocese of St. Augustine. The event draws thousands each
Palm Sunday to watch as watercraft from trawlers and
yachts to sailboats and motor craft, all decorated with
flags and bunting, receive this special blessing. Ceremony
begins at noon with a procession from the Cathedral Basilica
to the City Marina.
St. Augustine Easter Parade
Held on Easter Sunday
Location: Downtown
904-824-7722
Join
the parade of marching bands, floats, drill teams,
clowns, Royal Family and the city’s
carriage horses wearing hats donated by nationally
recognized women.
Begins at 3:00 p.m. and winds through downtown St. Augustine.
Trophies presented in four categories.
April
Spring
Arts & Crafts Festival
Held in early April
Location: Francis Field on Castillo Drive
904-824-2310
Admission Free
Look for something new to please your taste when more
than 130 artists display their creations at the Special
Events Field on Castillo Drive during this two-day festival.
Opens at 10:00 a.m. with a free shuttle running between
the Downtown Plaza and the event field until 5:00 p.m.
each day. Food and beverages available.
Epic Celebration of Spring
Held in mid April
Location: Varies
904-829-2273
Call for additional information regarding individual
events
Celebrate the arrival of spring in the Nation's oldest
city. An EPIC Celebration of Spring consists of four
different activities focusing on food and gardening.
Annual Cabbage and Potato Festival
Held in late April
Location: Hastings Recreational Field
904-692-1420
Dig
into the good and abundant food as Florida’s
cabbage and potato capital celebrates its spring bounty
with games and rides, arts and crafts, exhibitors, and
entertainment.
May
Regalos Festival
Held in early May
Location: Varies throughout St. Augustine
904-449-1694
Liven
up the weekend with a fiesta of events that feature
Spanish treasures of the Americas
and include visual
arts, music, crafts and culture. There will be walking
tours of the art present in St. Augustine’s architecture.
Outdoor events include a juried art display, free jazz
and folkloric performances, and more. Events sites include
the Downtown Plaza, Flagler College and Café Habana.
Gamble Rogers Folk Festival
Held in early May
Location: St. Augustine Amphitheater
904-819-8700
Come
and enjoy music and song at this 10th annual festival
designated as a National Music
and Storytelling Festival.
For the general public, from Friday through Sunday, it
is a non-stop musical party, complete with children's
booths, rides, food booths, a fish fry, craft demonstrators,
dance floor, stories, pickin', singing, contests, "jammin'
tent," and more.
Annual
San Sebastian Fine Art & Jazz
Show
Held in early May
Location: San Sebastian Winery
888-352-9463
See
and hear art when the music sounds and artists display
their original works including
sculpture, photography,
oil paintings and watercolor. The grand-prize winner
of the Fine Art Show has their work purchased by the
winery for use on a commemorative and collectors' label.
One hundred cases of a San Sebastian Reserve Wine will
be set aside for the special Artist Series label. Complimentary
tours and wine tasting offered throughout the entire
weekend. Listen to live music in ‘The Cellar Upstairs’ Wine
and Jazz Bar on the open-air deck. A selection of San
Sebastian wine, beer, soft drinks and light appetizers
are available for purchase.
First
Coast Birding & Nature Festival
Held in mid May
Location: St. Augustine Amphitheater
800-653-2489
Hands-on seminars and in-the-field photography workshops
with noted photographers. View otherwise inaccessible
North Island shore birds. Private access tour through
72,000 acre Camp Blanding's restricted rare bird sites.
Boat trips to undisturbed bird habitats. Kayak excursions.
Butterfly tent with 1,000 butterflies. Nature seminars
and field photography workshops. Photo tour of St. Augustine.
Annual Ponte Vedra Car Show
Held in mid May
Location: Varies
904-285-0666
Admission Free
View a collection of cars, with the oldest dating back
to 1913, on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sawgrass
Village.
Annual Memorial Weekend Cathedral Festival
Held in late May
Location: Grounds of Mission of Nombre de Dios
904-824-2806
Entertain
the whole family viewing and buying arts & crafts,
a flea market tent, games, rides, food court, and daily
performances. Fireworks on Sunday.
Annual ‘Brass’ Community
Concert
Held in late May
Location:
TPC – Ponte Vedra Beach
904-285-3948
Bring a picnic basket and enjoy the music under the
open sky. BRASS stands for Beaches Residents Actively
Supporting the Symphony, and the Jacksonville Symphony
Orchestra responds with this concert.
June
Drake’s
Raid
Held in early June
Location: Fountain of Youth Park and Historic District
904-829-9792
Relive
history as the English corsair, Sir Francis Drake,
and his raiders return to St. Augustine
in an authentic
annual re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city. The
raiders’ camp featuring displays of the arms and
armor, craft skills, and lifestyle -- explained by costumed
interpreters -- will be open to the public at the Fountain
of Youth Park. In the late afternoon, Drake and his followers
will descend on the city’s historic district. Early
evening will witness the English attack on St. Augustine,
the Spanish residents’ defense with pike and musket
skirmishes and simulated destruction of the town by the
invaders.
Changing of the Guard
Held
late June – early September,
Fridays and Saturdays
904-825-1004
Witness
twilight time in colonial St. Augustine as soldiers
guarding the town are dismissed
for the night, and their
replacements arrive to deploy guarding Government House.
The commander of the new watch puts them through a rigorous
inspection drill before they take over their posts. The
retiring soldiers, relieved of their duties, are ordered
to clear their weapons with the command of “Disparen!” The
resounding blast of musket fire assures 18th century
St. Augustine that the changing of the guard had taken
place and the town would be safe for the night. This
traditional Spanish military changing of the guard takes
place Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer in
front of St. Augustine’s Government House.
July
St.
Augustine’s Fourth of July
Celebration
Held on the fourth of July
Location: Bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge
of Lions
904-825-1004
Have
a blast at one of the East Coast’s
largest fireworks shows! The spectacular fireworks
burst above
the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the
waters of Matanzas Bay. The 20-minute show includes a
stirring soundtrack of great patriotic music.
Kingfish Challenge
Held in late July
Location: City Marina
904-824-8322
Chase the big ones in this exciting competition that
offers cash and prizes for the biggest catch. Registration
limited to 400 boats. It all begins at the St. Augustine
City Marina located at Avenida Menendez and the Bridge
of Lions.
Summer Sizzler
Held in late July
Location: St. Augustine Beach Pier Park and St. Augustine
Beach
904-808-8544
Soak
up the sun during a full weekend of sizzlin’ fun
at the St. Augustine Beach Pavilion. Event highlights
include Hobie catamaran regatta and races, sand sculpture
contests, children’s carnival and water slide,
Frisbee dogs, crafts, food and retail vendors, and a
kite flying competition, cheered by live music! Proceeds
benefit the Betty Griffin House.
August
Annual
San Sebastian Harvest Festival & Grape
Stomp
Held in late August
Location: San Sebastian Winery
904-826-1594
Admission Free
Get
purple feet at this special festival celebrating the
San Sebastian Winery’s grape harvest. Grape
Stomping competitions run throughout the entire weekend
with prizes awarded to the winners. Complimentary tours
and wine tasting included! Listen to live music in ‘The
Cellar Upstairs’ Wine and Jazz Bar on the open-air
deck and enjoy a great view of St. Augustine. A selection
of San Sebastian wine, beer, soft drinks and light appetizers
are available for purchase.
September
St. Augustine Birthday Celebration
Held in early September
Location: Mission of Nombre de Dios
904-825-1004
Admission Free
Put
on your 16th century party hats and help celebrate
the birthday of the City of St. Augustine!
The day’s
events begin with a reenactment of the landing by the
city’s founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, at
the Mission of Nombre de Dios – the exact landing
point of the Spanish colonists in 1565. The event ends
with Mass on the site where it was first performed in
what is now the United States. The day concludes with
a variety of musical entertainment and birthday cake
for all at the Colonial Spanish Quarter on St. George
Street.
October
Annual Greek Festival
Held in early October
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
904-829-0504
A delicious assortment of Greek foods, pastries and
beverages will be served. Enjoy nonstop entertainment
with live Greek music by the Grecian Strings and dancing
by colorfully costumed Greek dance troupes, and lots
of authentic Greek food and drink to enjoy.
Annual
St. Augustine Colonial Folk Arts & Crafts
Festival
Held in early October
Location: Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum
904-810-5587
Admission Free
See
colonial craftspeople from throughout Florida demonstrate “Lost
Arts” such as spinning, weaving, basket making,
blacksmithing, pottery making and many other arts and
crafts. Historical musical performances, puppetry, storytelling
and much more show how entertaining the old days could
be. The event takes place each day from 10 a.m. until
5 p.m. at the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum.
November
Annual Great Chowder Debate
Held in early November
Location: Conch House Marina
904- 829-8646
Chowders of conch, clams, lobster, scallops and crab
are laced with concoctions of secret spices, all leading
to temptation and satisfaction at the Conch House Marina
at 12:30 p.m.
Night of Lights
Held
mid November – late January
Location: Along the ancient streets and historic buildings
of St. Augustine
800-653-2489
Share
in the holiday glow when more than two million tiny
white lights will shine along the
ancient streets
and historic buildings of the Nation’s oldest city.
The Annual Nights of Lights celebration sparkles to life
at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tracing its origins to the
Spanish tradition of displaying a lighted white candle
during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting
in St. Augustine reflects the city’s history while
creating a beautiful setting for the holidays.
December
Grande Illumination
Held in early December
Location: St. George and Cuna Streets
904-460-9368
Carry
a candle and follow the torchlight parade from the
Government House to the Plaza to hear
the governor’s
proclamation, watch soldiers fire their muskets in salute
to the season and sing Christmas carols at the Plaza.
The Grande Illumination Ceremony is an impressive pageant
of color and light that reflects the customs of the British
when they occupied the city in the Eighteenth Century.
At 3:30 p.m., all descendants of participants in the
time when St. Augustine was a bastion of Tory sympathizers,
as well as the offspring of the Sons of Liberty, citizens
of the United States, and representatives of foreign
dominions, not to mention officers and enlisted men of
the British Regular Army and their ladies, are invited
to partake of refreshing beverages and satisfying victuals
on the North Green of Fort St. Marks (site subject to
change, but ye shall find, if ye shall look). Colonial
music and dancing after the tea. The British Night Watch
Parade is Yuletide celebration from the American War
of Independence.
Night of Lights
Held
mid November – late January
Location: Along the ancient streets and historic buildings
of St. Augustine
800-653-2489
Share
in the holiday glow when more than two million tiny
white lights shine along the ancient
streets and
historic buildings of the Nation’s oldest city.
The Annual Nights of Lights celebration sparkles to life
at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tracing its origins to the
Spanish tradition of displaying a lighted white candle
during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting
in St. Augustine reflects the city’s history while
creating a beautiful setting for the holidays.
St. Augustine Christmas Parade
Held in early December
Location: Downtown Plaza
904-829-5681
The annual Christmas Parade has grown to be one of the
largest parades in north Florida. Features all the things
a parade has to offer, including bands, cars, horses,
tigers, and the arrival of Santa.
Regatta of Lights
Held in mid December
Location: Matanzas Bay
904-824-9725
Regale
your eyes with a holiday parade of boats from 15 to
85 feet in length – sailboats,
trawlers, shrimp boats and many other vessels aglitter
with brilliant
lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical.
St.
Augustine’s Las Posadas Celebration
Held in mid December
Location: San Marco Avenue
904-826-0209
Las Posadas, a traditional Spanish candlelight procession.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own candles.
The procession led by Mary and Joseph parades up San
Marco Ave. ending at the Mission of Nombre De Dios with
a live nativity scene, live music, free refreshments,
and family activities. Transportation back to the Cathedral
is provided for free.
Entertainment
Limelight Theatre
11 Old Mission Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
904-825-1164
Call for performance schedule
Professional theater in an intimate setting. Open year
'round. See comedy, dramas, musicals and many additional
productions.
Murer Watch Mystery Theatre
4320 A1A S. (at the Garden Eatery Restaurant in Ocean
Gate Plaza)
St. Augustine, FL 32086
904-471-2691
Call for additional information
Enjoy
music, comedy, mystery, and intrigue as professional
actors perform among you as you dine.
See this mystery
unfold and play detective as you try to solve the crimes.
Show and menu are suitable for ALL ages. Shows schedules
vary; call for show dates & times. Reservations required.
St. Augustine Opera
904-797-6820
Call for performance schedule and additional information
Northeast Florida's resident repertory opera company
