




St. Augustine Observer
St. Augustine Beaches News Journal LLC
St. Augustine Observer
St. Augustine Beaches News Journal LLC
News for Residents & Visitors To St. Augustine & St. Johns County
News for Residents & Visitors To St. Augustine & St. Johns County
2023 St. Johns County
Annual Events
Please confirm with individual event organizers before traveling to attend as event dates, locations and times may vary. All events are updated on www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com and www.HistoricCoastCulture.com. For more details, call 800.653.2489 or 904.829.1711. Florida’s
Historic Coast is ready to celebrate its arts, heritage and culture events with you in 2023.
First Friday Art Walk: 904.373.8697 www.staaa.org/art-galleries-of-st-augustine
From 5-9 p.m. more than 27 art galleries in St. Augustine feature new exhibits.
Farmer’s Markets: www.floridashistoriccoast.com/things-to-do/ shopping/farmers-markets
Florida’s Historic Coast is home to several quality Farmer’s Markets and Fairs that regularly take place
throughout the year.
JANUARY
Saint Augustine Film Festival: 904.461.3993 www.staugfilmfest.com This four-day film festival takes place at various locations throughout St. Augustine.
Matanzas 5000 5K & Fun Run: www.matanzas5k.com 5K race on a scenic USATF-certified course through historic St. Augustine.
FEBRUARY
Flight to Freedom: 904.823.2232 www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Mose From the mid-17th century through the first half of the 18th century, hundreds, if not thousands, fled enslavement to Spanish St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival: www.spanishwinefestival.com Various food & wine events over three days, showcasing the Spanish influence on the culinary scene in St. Augustine.
MARCH
THE PLAYERS® Championship: 904.285.7888 www.pgatour.com The game’s greatest players compete at TPC Sawgrass – THE PLAYERS® Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Searle’s Sack of St. Augustine: 904.534.6168 www.hfm.club/about/searles-buccaneers/searles-raid-for-participants This is an authentic reenactment of Captain Robert Searle’s 1668 attack on St. Augustine.
Menorcan Heritage Festival: 904.540.3067 www.menorcansociety.net Celebrate the anniversary of the Menorcans’ arrival in St. Augustine at this festival featuring authentic Menorcan culture.
Celtic Music and Heritage Festival: 904.315.8061 www.celticstaugustine.com The sounds of the ancient Celtic peoples of Scotland and Ireland come alive with an event culminating with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
St. Augustine Lions Spring Seafood Festival: www.lionsfestival.com Enjoy outstanding seafood, live music and much more.
St. Augustine Race Week Regatta: 904.396.6382 www.staugustineraceweek.com Experience five great days of multiple sailing events operating out of the harbor of the nation’s oldest city.
APRIL
Blessing of the Fleet: 904.824.9725 www.staugustineyachtclub.com Watercraft from trawlers and yachts to sailboats receive this special blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Old Town Art Show: 904.794.0084 www.oldtownartshow.com Celebrate spring at this juried art and fine craft show.
St. Augustine Plein Air Paint Out: www.staaa.org/plein-air-paint-out The St. Augustine Art Association hosts this annual community-wide plein air event celebrating the area’s history through art.
St. Augustine Easter Parade of Horses and Carriages: 904.669.7992
www.oldestcityeaster.org/easter-parade Experience the famous Easter parade featuring horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, floats and St. Augustine’s Royal Family.
Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest: www.floridasbirdingandphotofest.com Experience Northeast Florida’s abundant bird life and photogenic natural beauty at more than 110 exciting birding and outdoor photography events.
A Taste of St. Augustine: 904.829.3295 www.epicbh.org This signature food festival at the St. Augustine
Amphitheatre serves up “tastes” from St. Augustine’s famous restaurants.
Riding Into History: 904.677.9452 www.ridingintohistory.org Riding Into History, one of America’s premier motorcycle events, returns to World Golf Village.
Spoonbills and Sprockets Cycling Tour: 386.503.5197 www.scenica1a.org Tour the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway via bike highlighting area landmarks.
MAY
Gamble Rogers Music Festival: 904.377.4163 www.gamblerogersfest.org The popular Gamble Rogers Music Festival brings the best in American folk music to St. Augustine.
Unidas en la Musica: www.unidosenlamusica.com A celebration of authentic Latin food and music,
featuring vendors, games, dance workshops, cultural exhibitions and more.
St. Augustine Craft Brewers Fest: www.stabrewersfest.com Enjoy food, live music, and samples from local and regional breweries.
St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival: www.staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com A culinary weekend celebration with celebrity guest chefs, winemakers and beverage experts in spirits and beers.
Drake’s Raid: 904.824.9823 www.hfm.club The English corsair, Sir Francis Drake, and his raiders
return to St. Augustine for an authentic re-creation of the 1586 attack on the city.
SPRING–SUMMER
Music by the Sea Concert Series: 904.347.8007 www.sabca.org Every Wednesday evening through September, a free live concert takes place at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park.
Concerts in the Plaza: 904.825.1004 www.cityofstaug.com/concerts In the summer months, every Thursday evening a free live concert from 7–9 p.m. in St. Augustine’s historic Plaza de la Constitucion.
JUNE
St. Augustine Music Festival: 904.342.5175 www.staugustinemusicfestival.org A series of six free concerts with world class performances held over two weekends in the historic Cathedral Basilica.
The Battle of Bloody Mose Commemoration: 904.823.2232 www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose
Reenactment and encampment of the 1740 Spanish victory at the Battle of Bloody Mose.
JULY
Fireworks Over The Matanzas: www.fireworksoverthematanzas.com The 4th of July Concert and Fireworks in St. Augustine bursts above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos.
Bridge of Lions 5K Run: 386.747.3532 www.bridgeoflions5k.com The annual run across St. Augustine’s Bridge of Lions.
Ancient City Game Fish Challenge: 904.824.8324 www.acgfa.com The Ancient City Game Fish Challenge is a three-day tournament based in historic downtown St. Augustine.
AUGUST
Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am Tournament: 904.540.1189 www.rundropslide.com/flproam
Competing skimboarders from more than 75 different Florida beaches come to Vilano Beach for
a weekend of fun competition.
SEPTEMBER
Founders Day: 877.352.4478 www.floridalivinghistory.org Commemoration of the anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine in 1565.
Sing Out Loud: 904.209.0367 www.singoutloudflorida.com Florida’s largest free music festival and benefit concert taking place over the course of four weekends at multiple venues.
OCTOBER
Pink Up the Pace Walk/Run: 904.471.1819 www.pinkupthepace.org The Annual Pink Up the Pace 5K Walk/Run raises money to assist local uninsured and underinsured residents in the early detection of breast cancer.
St. Augustine Greek Festival: 904.479.6729 www.stauggreekfest.com Enjoy Greek food, live Greek music, traditionally costumed Greek folk dancers and more honoring America’s first Greek community.
Rhythm & Ribs Festival: 904.417.8470 www.rhythmandribs.net Non-stop music and award-winning scrumptious barbecue all weekend long.
Ghosts of St. Augustine’s Past: www.artandlifein3d.com/ghostsofstaugustinespast
A full weekend of free music, costumed events and spine-chilling storytelling at multiple locations
throughout the city.
NOVEMBER
Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 904.994.5662 www.pvautoshow.com More than 180 collector’s cars compete to capture prestigious trophies from 30+ categories.
Great Chowder Debate: 904.829.8646 www.conch-house.com More than 30 area restaurants serve up their chowder to compete for top honors.
Whiskey, Wine and Wildlife: 843.812.5802 www.whiskeywineandwildlife.com Culinary superstars and spectacular seafood artisans, talented musicians and hundreds of wines, spirits and beers are showcased while raising funds and awareness for the protection of local wildlife.
St. Augustine Seafood and Art Festival combined with St. Augustine Wine Festival: 305.812.7672
www.staugustineeventsandfestivals.com Along with beautiful displays of art and a bounty
of seafood, enjoy unlimited samples of fine and sparkling wines from 10 different countries.
Nights of Lights: www.nightsoflights.com From mid-November through January, St. Augustine
glows with more than 3 million white lights from the ground to the rooftops.
DECEMBER
Surf Illumination: 904.347.8007 www.staugbch.com/events/page/sab-events This free holiday event features a ceremonial lighting of the holiday tree, pictures with Santa and entertainment.
Colonial Night Watch Weekend: 904.501.0391 www.hfm.club/about/night-watch-for-visitors
Visitors enjoy various vignettes representing historical events during the siege of 1740 in St. Augustine along with a torchlight parade.
Christmas Parade: 904.824.4997 St. Augustine’s Annual Christmas Parade through the
Historic District.
Rails to Trails Festival: 904.806.3939 www.seachrc.org This festival honors the Gullah Geechee with a bike tour along the Rails to Trails bike and walking trail that introduces the rich culture of the area.
Light Up the Night Fireworks & Beach Blvd Block Party: www.staugbch.com/events/page/sab-events
Enjoy the fireworks from multiple locations at this year’s Fireworks & Beach Blvd. Block Party! This
celebration offers a true taste of St. Augustine Beach with businesses along the Boulevard offering
discounts, live music and other specials. Fireworks ring in the new year at 8:30 p.m.
Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse: 904.829.0745 www.staugustinelighthouse.com
The highlight of the holiday season at the Lighthouse is Luminary Night.
Regatta of Lights: 904.824.9725 www.staugustineyachtclub.com This is an annual holiday parade of boats and many other vessels with brilliant lighted displays ranging
from patriotic to whimsical.