Coastal Realty Presents St Augustine Visitor Guide© Events & Festivals Historical Reenactments Free Things to Do Adventures Just for Kids Rainy Day Activities Concerts & Theater Shows Locals’ Favorite Watering Holes Restaurant & Attraction Recommendations Beach, Bike, & Boat Rentals Houses of Worship 3942 A1A South St Augustine, Florida 32080 904-471-6606 www.coastalrealtyvacationrentals.com EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN ST AUGUSTINE ONGOING First Friday Art Walk Self-guided walk of local art galleries along King and Aviles streets on the first Friday of every month, 5 pm to 9 pm. Features special exhibits and refreshments. Uptown Saturday Night On the last Saturday of every month, take a self-guided walk of local shops and galleries along San Marco Avenue, north of the parking garage. Music and refreshments. Old City Farmer’s Market Saturdays 830 am – 1230 pm St Augustine Amphitheatre Produce, baked goods, plants, local crafts, food trucks. The Night Market is the 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 6-9 pm, March through October. Farmer’s Arts & Crafts Market Wednesdays 8 am – 12 pm St Johns County Pier Park Produce, baked goods, plants, local crafts, food trucks. ONGOING NATURE & HISTORICAL EVENTS Guana Tolomato Matanzas Guided Beach Exploration Third Saturday of every month 2200 Ponte Vedra Blvd in Ponte Vedra Beach (Coastal Highway) Take a 2-hour guided hike along the beach and learn about the various plants and animals that call the beach home. Parking is $3. Visit the website to reserve your spot. Click on “visit” and “events.” https://gtmnerr.org First Saturday Nature Hike at Guana River State Park 9am-11am Ponte Vedra Beach Guided walking tour meets at pavilion just west of Guana dam. Learn about 5,000 years of history at this state park. Walk is 1.5 miles. https://gtmnerr.org Garden Walk at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park First Friday at 10am 6400 N Oceanshore Blvd in Palm Coast Enjoy a guided stroll through the beautiful gardens. Meet in the parking lot. Walk is approximately one hour. Tolomato Cemetery Tour 3rd Saturday of every month from 11am-3pm Take a tour of this historic cemetery located at 16 Cordova St. Burial ground is on the site of an early 18th century Franciscan Indian Mission. Established in 1777. Huguenot Cemetery Tour 3rd Saturday of every month from 11am-2pm Gates are open one day per month in this historic cemetery. Burials date from 1821 to 1884. The cemetery has been owned by the Presbyterian church since 1832. Located across from the city gates. Fort Mose Militia Muster & Training 1st Saturday of every month from 930-11am 15 Fort Mose Trail off US-1 North Bringing the 18th century back to life with historic weapons drills with authentically dressed interpreters. Historic Weapons Demonstration Castillo de San Marcos Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday National Parks Service volunteers and staff demonstrate historical weapons and relate the experiences of Colonial Spanish in 1740 St Augustine. JANUARY Nights of Lights This annual festival commemorates the Spanish tradition of a candle in every window during the winter holidays. See millions of tiny lights all over downtown, creating a magical experience to enhance your holiday visit. Nights of Lights Trolley tickets and fast passes available at Coastal Realty main office, Barefoot Trace, Anastasia Condos, and Creston House. Lights are extended this year to Feb 2. http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/nights-lights St Augustine Film Festival January 16-19 This three-day film festival takes place at different locations throughout St Augustine. Check the website for specific shows, dates, and times. 904-461-3993 www.staugfilmfest.com Matanzas 5000 5K & Fun Run January 18 One of Florida’s fastest 5K runs through historic downtown. Course is USATF-certified. 904-945-6811 www.matanzas5k.com FEBRUARY K9s for Warriors Golf Tournament Feb 22 at 9am St Augustine Shores Golf Club at 707 Shores Blvd Sponsored by Coastal Realty, this golf tournament is in its 5th year, benefiting K9s for Warriors. The group provides service dogs for military veterans. Your $55 registration fee includes 18 holes, range balls, lunch, and coffee. Call Deborah to register 904-471-9212. Pedro Menendez Birthday Celebration Beginning February 7 Celebrate the birthday of our founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles at this celebration all week long. Activities and demonstrations commemorating 16th century culture. Check the calendar on the website for details. For tickets to Noche de Festival, the birthday gala on Feb 8, head to Eventbrite.com www.hfm.club School of the 16th Century Feb 15 Colonial Quarter Interact with historically-clad 16th century reenactors and see what life was like in early St Augustine. See military and civilian activities and demonstrations all day. www.hfm.club Jam N Pepper Festival Feb 8 from 10am-4pm Francis Field next to Parking Garage Inaugural event features food trucks, a beer tent, and artisan local foods with hot sauces, jams, jellies and gourmet offerings. Portion of proceeds benefits St Francis House. Lincolnville Porch Fest Feb 15 from noon-930pm More than 40 local bands expected to perform on the front porches of several sites throughout historic Lincolnville, just south of downtown. YMCA Mardi Gras 5K and Fun Run Feb 16 Road race on the beach from the pier to Anastasia State Park. http://firstcoastymca.org Cathedral Festival Feb 28-Mar 1 Midway and carnival with food and music. Mission Nombre de Dios San Marco Avenue www.thecathedralfestival.com St Augustine Spanish Wine Festival Feb 28-29 at several locations Reception and wine pairing dinner on Feb 28 at the Flagler College Solarium. On Feb 29 there’s a grand tasting at Markland House, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, and Alumni House. https://www.spanishwinefestival.com/ Lighthouse Night Fest Feb 29 from 4-8pm This festival commemorates the re-lighting of the St Augustine Lighthouse after a huge restoration project. There are children’s crafts, refreshments, live music and much more. There’s also a 5K and fun run the same day. More info at https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/ MARCH St Augustine Lions Seafood Festival March 20-22 at Francis Field Food vendors, crafts, and music benefiting the Lions Club charities. www.lionsfestival.com Rhythm & Ribs Festival Mar 27-29 Francis Field St Johns County’s biggest festival featuring music and barbecue. www.rhythmandribs.net The PLAYERS Championship Mar 10-15 at TPC Sawgrass Annual golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach. Watch the pros in action! www.pgatour.com Searle’s Sack Mar 7 Authentic reenactment of pirate Robert Searle’s 1668 attack on St Augustine. Encampment at the Colonial Quarter; attack begins near the Plaza de la Constitucion. www.hfm.club Celtic Music & Heritage Festival/St Patrick’s Day Parade Mar 14-15 at Francis Field Sounds and sights of Scotland and Ireland in conjunction with St Augustine St Patrick’s Day Parade (Parade is Mar 14). www.celticstaugustine.com Changing of the Guard Mar 21 at 6pm Plaza de la Constitucion The ceremony is performed by historical reenactors as it was in Colonial St Augustine in 1740. Ends with a musket volley! St Augustine Race Week Regatta March 14-21 Five days of multiple sailing events on the Matanzas River http://www.staugustineraceweek.com APRIL Drake’s Raid April 25 Annual commemoration of Sir Francis Drake’s 1586 raid on St Augustine. Encampment at the Colonial Quarter downtown all day, raid begins by the City Gates and proceeds up St George St to the Plaza. www.hfm.club Murray Brothers Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament April 29 – May 1 Brian Doyle Murray, Bill Murray, and brothers hold this annual tournament benefiting charities worldwide. King & Bear/Slammer & Squire www.murraybrosgolf.com Earth Day Celebration April 25 Live entertainment, environmental groups, arts, and crafts Washington Oaks Gardens State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Washington-Oaks A Taste of St Augustine April 26 from 11am-5pm Annual food festival featuring eats from all over town. St Augustine Amphitheatre www.epicbh.org/tasteofstaugustine.html Florida Birding & Photo Fest April 22-26 Celebrate northeast Florida’s abundant bird life and photogenic natural beauty at this outdoor festival. GTM Research Reserve in Ponte Vedra Beach www.floridasbirdingandphotofest.com MAY Gamble Rogers Music Festival May 1-3 Celebrating American Folk Music Colonial Quarter www.gamblerogersfest.org Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts May 1-17 Locations throughout St Augustine Romanza is two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events that celebrate all things St. Augustine. The nation’s oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events, historical tours, live theater, and much more. https://www.visitstaugustine.com/topics/romanza Blue Crab Festival Downtown Palatka Family friendly event features carnival rides, a seafood cook-off, live music, and plenty of seafood. JUNE Battle of Bloody Mose The annual reenactment of the battle of Fort Mose on June 26, 1740 Fort Mose Historic State Park 15 Fort Mose Trail, north of town off US-1 www.hfm.club JULY Fireworks on the Matanzas Annual July 4th celebration with fireworks shot from a barge on the river; viewpoints along the bayfront, Bridge of Lions, and Vilano boat ramp area. Evening begins with a concert on the Plaza de la Constitucion at 6pm. Fireworks begin at 930pm. AUGUST National Park Service Birthday Aug 25 at Castillo de San Marcos 1 Castillo Drive www.nsp.gov/casa Admission is free at the Fort and all national parks! SEPTEMBER Pedro Menéndez Landing Commemoration/Founder’s Day Sept 7 at 10am at Mission Nombre de Dios & Fountain of Youth The commemoration and living history reenactment of Pedro Menéndez’ Landing in 1565, and the First Thanksgiving event. Landing at the Mission; Thanksgiving reenactment follows at the Fountain of Youth.