The Ultimate St. Augustine Festival Guide: Celebrating Culture, History, and Community

St. Augustine Spring Festivals

St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival

St. Augustine, Florida, is America’s oldest Celtic city, hosting the multi-award-winning St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival. Experience top international and U.S. Celtic bands, highland games, a parade, whiskey tasting, workshops, lectures and more! The festival includes the original St. Patrick’s Day Parade, established in 1601, celebrating the city’s deep-rooted Celtic heritage. This St. Augustine festival is a celebration of music, history, and culture, making it a must-see for visitors. With numerous vendors offering unique Celtic-themed merchandise, you can find everything from kilts to handmade crafts. It’s not just a festival; it’s a cultural experience that brings the charm of the Celtic world to Florida’s oldest city. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere, learning about Celtic traditions while enjoying the sounds of bagpipes and traditional folk music.

Date and Place: Mid-March, Francis Field.

St. Augustine Easter Parade

The nation’s second-oldest Easter parade, St. Augustine’s Parada de los Caballos y Coches (Parade of Horses and Carriages) has commemorated the Easter holiday every year since 1956. This festive procession winds through the city’s historic streets, showcasing floats, marching bands and beautifully decorated carriages. It’s a cherished tradition that highlights the city’s rich cultural heritage. The parade is a family-friendly event that offers fun for all ages, from colorful costumes to appearances by the Easter Bunny. It’s a beautiful way to enjoy the spring season in St. Augustine while connecting with the community.

Date and Place: Easter Saturday, starting at the Old Jail Museum and ending at the Visitor’s Center.

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival

The annual St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival returns to Francis Field with a wide range of seafood delicacies and other tasty cuisines. Enjoy live music, kids’ rides and a marketplace featuring over 100 craft artisans. The St. Augustine festival has been a staple in the community since 1981, serving as the primary fundraiser for the St. Augustine Lions Foundation. It draws thousands of attendees each year, blending delicious food with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Attendees can savor fresh shrimp, fish and oysters while enjoying performances by local bands that add to the festive vibe. The festival is not just about food; it’s about coming together as a community to support local causes and celebrate the coastal flavors of St. Augustine.

Date and Place: March, Francis Field.

Unidos en la Música: A Latin American Festival

Unidos en la Música brings the vibrant cultures of Latin America to St. Augustine through music, dance and art. The festival features live performances, dance workshops, and a variety of delicious Latin cuisines. Families can enjoy games and activities while soaking in the rich cultural offerings. It’s an immersive experience that highlights the city’s diverse cultural influences and celebrates its community spirit. Visitors can join in dance classes, watch captivating performances, and explore stalls filled with handcrafted items and traditional Latin-American art. The St. Augustine festival provides a lively atmosphere where people of all ages can connect with the rich tapestry of Latin culture, making it a celebration of unity and diversity.

Date and Place: May, Francis Field.

St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival is a culinary delight, offering wine tastings, gourmet food and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. The event showcases the best of the region’s food and drink, including local craft beers and spirits. Attendees can participate in masterclasses and indulge in exquisite dining experiences that reflect the area’s rich culinary heritage, making it one of the best festivals in St. Augustine.

Date and Place: Early May, World Golf Village.

Annual Craft Brewer’s Fest

St. Augustine’s craft beer scene comes alive at the annual Craft Brewer’s Fest, featuring local breweries like Ancient City Brewing, Dog Rose Brewing Company, and Old Coast Ales. Attendees can enjoy unlimited samples, live music and food trucks, all in the beautiful setting of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. It’s a great way to sample the area’s best brews while enjoying the historical charm of St. Augustine.

Date and Place: June, Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

St. Augustine Summer Festivals

Music and Art by the Sea

Music and Art by the Sea is a weekly summer event that takes place at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier. Each Wednesday, local musicians and artists come together to create a vibrant evening of live music, food and art. The event is free and family-friendly, offering a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can enjoy the coastal views and creative talent of the St. Augustine community.

Date and Place: Wednesdays from May to September, St. Johns County Ocean Pier.

St. Augustine Brewers’ Fest

St. Augustine Brewers’ Fest offers a day of beer tasting from over 25 breweries, complemented by live music, food trucks and fun activities for the whole family. The event celebrates the local craft beer scene, providing a platform for both local and regional brewers to showcase their best creations. It’s a lively event that draws beer enthusiasts from all over the region.

Date and Place: Late May, Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

July Fourth Fireworks and Events in St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s Independence Day celebration combines history, music and a spectacular fireworks display over the Matanzas Bay. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live performances, local food vendors and family-friendly activities. The fireworks show is the highlight, illuminating the sky over the historic Castillo de San Marcos, creating a stunning view that captures the essence of the holiday.

Date and Place: July 4th, Historic Downtown St. Augustine.

St. Augustine Fall Festivals

St. Augustine Founder’s Day Celebration

Founder’s Day commemorates the founding of St. Augustine on September 8, 1565, by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. This event celebrates the city’s deep Spanish roots, offering reenactments, historical presentations, and cultural displays that highlight St. Augustine’s rich heritage. It’s a great way to learn about the city’s history while enjoying a day of festivities.

Date and Place: Early September, Mission Nombre de Dios Museum.

Sing Out Loud Festival

Sing Out Loud Festival is a multi-week celebration of music, featuring performances by local and national artists across various venues in St. Augustine. From intimate acoustic sets to full-band concerts, this St. Augustine festival offers a diverse range of musical styles. It’s an inclusive event that supports the local music scene while bringing together artists and audiences in a shared celebration of creativity.

Date and Place: September, various venues in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra.

Halloween Events

St. Augustine transforms into a spooky destination during Halloween, offering ghost tours like Ghosts & Gravestones, haunted pub crawls, and family-friendly trick-or-treating events. The historic streets and centuries-old buildings provide the perfect backdrop for eerie stories and ghostly encounters. From exploring haunted landmarks to attending themed events, Halloween in St. Augustine offers a mix of thrills and chills for all ages.

Date and Place: October, various locations throughout St. Augustine.

St. Augustine Winter Festivals

Nights of Lights

St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is a magical holiday display, with millions of white lights illuminating Historic Downtown. Named one of the “Top 10 Cities in the World for Holiday Lighting Displays” by National Geographic, this event transforms the city into a winter wonderland. Visitors can explore the lights on foot, take guided tours, or enjoy a scenic boat tour to see the sparkling lights from the water during this spirited St. Augustine festival.

Date and Place: Mid-November through January, Historic Downtown St. Augustine.

St. Augustine Christmas Parade

St. Augustine’s annual Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season with floats, festive decorations, and a Santa sack full of fun. Local organizations and neighborhoods join in, with cars, dogs, floats and holiday-themed costumed marchers — making it one of the largest parades in Northeast Florida.

Date and Place: Early December, starting at the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum and ending at the Visitor’s Center.

Regatta of Lights

The Regatta of Lights takes St. Augustine’s holiday spirit to the water, with boats of all sizes adorned in festive lights. Spectators can enjoy the spectacle from the bayfront as sailboats, trawlers and yachts compete for awards in categories like “best theme” and “most colorful.”

Date and Place: Mid-December, along the bayfront between the Bridge of Lions and the Castillo de San Marcos.

Light Up the Night! New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

Light Up the Night! offers a spectacular way to ring in the new year. The fireworks display lights up the sky over St. Augustine Beach, providing a stunning view from multiple locations along A1A Beach Boulevard.

Date and Place: December 31st, with viewing spots at St. Augustine Beach Pier Park and along A1A Beach Boulevard.

Saint Augustine Film Festival

The Saint Augustine Film Festival brings independent and international films to the nation’s oldest city. With screenings at venues like Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium, this St. Augustine festival offers a unique cultural experience. It’s an opportunity to see thought-provoking films and meet the filmmakers behind them.

Date and Place: January, various venues in Downtown St. Augustine.

Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series

Held each February at Fort Mose Historic State Park, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series brings world-class music to a venue steeped in history. The event celebrates the heritage of Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the United States, offering a rich cultural experience that combines music and history.

Date and Place: February, Fort Mose Historic State Park.

FAQs

What are the best festivals in St. Augustine for families?

St. Augustine offers several family-friendly festivals, including the St. Augustine Easter Parade, the July Fourth Fireworks and Events and the St. Augustine Christmas Parade. These events feature activities for kids, festive floats, and opportunities to experience the city’s rich history in a welcoming atmosphere. Families can also enjoy the Nights of Lights November-January and take an Old Town Trolley Tour for the best views.

What are the best festivals in St. Augustine for history buffs?

History enthusiasts will appreciate festivals like the St. Augustine Founder’s Day celebration, which honors the city’s Spanish heritage, and the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, held at the site of the first free African settlement. The Sing Out Loud Festival and the Saint Augustine Film Festival also provide opportunities to explore the cultural heritage of the city through music and film. These events offer a deep connection to the past and highlight St. Augustine’s role in American history.

What are the most popular festivals in St. Augustine every year?

Some of the most popular annual festivals in St. Augustine include the Nights of Lights, which transforms the city into a winter wonderland, and the St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival, known for its delicious food and vibrant atmosphere. The Celtic Music & Heritage Festival and Sing Out Loud Festival are also crowd favorites, drawing visitors with their lively music and cultural celebrations. These events are highly anticipated and provide a chance to experience the best of St. Augustine’s community spirit and festive charm.