2026 Spring Festival Guide

Some people get excited about the holiday season while others jump for joy when the spring festival season arrives in St. Augustine. Because it's Florida, or more accurately because it's St. Augustine, the season kicks off in February making for weekend bliss until summer rolls around. From water, to wine, to art, to music, to bunnies, and to birds, there is something for every age and every interest in the springtime, so forget Paris and jump into St. Augustine's festivals.

Select Days, January - April
Arts & Crafts Festival at the Pier

Hand-crafted items, fine artwork, live music, delicious food, and more at this outdoor festival on St. Augustine Beach.

Attracting local, regional, and national artists, and crafters to showcase their work seaside, the festival invites visitors to enjoy browsing everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to stained glass and fine artwork. The event also hosts live music as well as several varieties of food items to eat on-site or to take home.

Admission: Free

When: Saturday and Sunday, January 10 - 11; Saturday and Sunday, February 14 - 15; Saturday and Sunday, March 14 - 15; Saturday and Sunday, April 11 - 12. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Where: St. Augustine Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd.

February 19 - 21
St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival

The St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival's mission is to connect modern-day St. Augustine to the city's Spanish history through a series of events that feature Spanish wine, cuisine, and culture. Proceeds from the St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival benefit the Flagler College Hospitality & Tourism Management Program. 

Admission: $100.00 - $700.00

When: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19; 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Friday, February 20; and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21. 

Where: Several locations on the Flagler College campus and at the Lightner Museum in historic downtown St. Augustine.

February 20 - 22
The 41st Annual Cathedral Festival

On the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios, in the Uptown neighborhood, the Cathedral Festival is the unofficial start of spring festival season in St. Augustine. The fundraising carnival is one of the area's largest festivals featuring rides, games, bingo, a silent auction, and fireworks. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Cathedral Parish School and the Cathedral Parish Early Education Center.

Admission: $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for children 11-17 and adults 65 and older; free admission for active-duty military and children 10 and younger.

When: 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20; noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 21; and noon to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. Fireworks are planned for 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21. The rain date for fireworks is Sunday, February 22.

Where: The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave.

The 2026 event has not been announced yet.
Lullaby of the Rivers Music Festival

The fifth annual Lullaby of the Rivers Festival will once again celebrate our state's waterways. Founded by singer/songwriter Bob Patterson, whose award-winning song "Lullaby of the Rivers" is the inspiration of the event, the festival features various singer/songwriters and storytellers on three stages. Food trucks, craft booths, and an environmental fair will round out the day.

Admission: Free

When: Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Doors are at 10:00 a.m.

Where: On the Front Porch, and entry levels, of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida 32080.

March 13 - 15
St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival

The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival features world-famous Celtic bands on two stages, a pre-festival Whiskey Tasting, Highland games, Celtic artisans and food, and a variety of entertainment. The event also includes the St. Augustine St. Patrick's Day parade at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14.

Admission: $25.00 general admission for Saturday or Sunday. Free for children younger than 12 and active duty/retired military with ID. $100.00 VIP tickets include admission for both days, a festival t-shirt, two beers or glasses of wine, separate VIP seating, bars, and bathrooms. $75.00 for Friday's whiskey tasting. A VIP two-day pass is $100.00.

When: Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, 2026; Friday: Whiskey Tasting 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday: gates open at 10:00 a.m., close at 10:00 p.m.; Sunday: gates open at 10:00 a.m., close at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive in historic downtown 

March 28 - 29
Flower and Garden Expo 

The annual Flower & Garden Expo showcases a variety of vendors with everything needed to begin or enhance a garden, including native plants, butterfly plants, colorful flowering plants, herbs, succulents, ferns, and even citrus and olive trees. All proceeds from this event benefit EPIC Community Services, Inc.

The expo also offers garden-related crafts, lectures from gardening experts on both days, access to St. Johns County Master Gardeners, and a children's activity area with face-painting and plant potting activities.

Admission: $5.00 for adults (good for both days); free for kids 12 and younger.

When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Where: Sykes Family Farm, 5995 Brough Road, Elkton

The 2026 event has not been announced yet.
Improvapalooza

Third Space Improv presents this annual celebration of improv comedy in America's Oldest City. Taking place in March over three days, Improvapalooza gives locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy improv performers from Jacksonville to Orlando to Chicago. Every performance showcases different types of improv giving festival-goers a taste of various styles and forms. Workshops—and a community improv jam—are on the schedule too. 

Admission: Free - $60.00

When: Friday evening, March 21 - Sunday afternoon, March 23, 2025

Where: Third Space Improv, 200 Malaga Street, #7, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

The 2026 event has not been announced yet.
St. Augustine Race Week

St. Augustine Race Week's spring sailing extravaganza features ocean and bayfront racing in yachts from 24 to 50 feet long. In addition to the sailing events, St. Augustine Race Week also hosts before-race socials and after-race parties for racers and guests along the downtown bayfront, at the Municipal Marina, and at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.

Admission: Free to watch

When: Youth Regatta, Saturday and Sunday, March 22 - 23; Inshore Series, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 - 26, Performance Yacht Offshore; Thursday, Friday, and; Saturday, March 27 - 29, 2025. 

Where: Several locations in the St. Augustine area including the downtown bayfront.

March 21 - 22
St. Augustine Lions Spring Festival

The 43rd Annual St. Augustine Lions Spring Festival features seafood such as lobster, crawfish, scallops, and shrimp—as well as cuisines from other cultures and regions and traditional county fair food, too. The festival also includes rides for the kids, family-friendly shows and activities, live music, and booths showcasing pottery, paintings, jewelry, and other arts and crafts.

Admission: $10.00 for adults; free for kids younger than 12.

When: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Where: Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive, historic downtown St. Augustine

April 9 - 11
St. Augustine PoetFest

For the fourth year in a row, Flagler College, Ancient City Poets, and the St. Johns Cultural Council present a three-day poetry festival to celebrate literary heritage and to connect the creative community. St. Augustine PoetFest 2025 showcases events in celebration of the spoken word. 

Admission: Free and open to the public

When: Thursday, April 9, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.; Friday, April 10, 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 11, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Where: Several locations including the St. Johns County Waterworks, Relampago, and Flagler College.

April 10 - 12
Gamble Rogers Folk Festival

The 31st Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is dedicated to commemorating the life and music of Gamble Rogers, whose passion for balladry, storytelling, and the oral tradition has shaped American folk music. Along with three full days of music, the Gamble Rogers Music Festival also offers food and drinks as well as a children's area featuring interactive music-making, folk arts, storytelling, and crafts demonstrations.

Admission: $100.00 - $125.00 for a weekend pass; $35.00 - $55.00 for a day pass.

When: Friday to Sunday, April 10 - 12, 2026.

Where: The St. Johns County Fairgrounds at 5840 S.R. 207, Elkton, Florida 32033

April 11
Festival of the Chariots

Also known as Rathayatra, the Festival of Chariots, is an annual event celebrating Indian and Hindu culture. The festival includes two colorful parades, live entertainment, a vegetarian feast highlighting Indian cuisine, music, dancing, art vendors, a magic show, henna tattoos, and other festive, colorful activities in historic downtown.

Admission: Free

When: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Where: The parade is along King Street with the Harinam Procession on St. George Street. Other festival activities take place on the Plaza de la Constitución.

March 28 - 29
Old Town Art Show 

Artists and artisans from Northeast Florida and beyond converge at the Old Town Art Show. The art festival showcases nearly 100 juried artisans and master craftspeople who exhibit their creations such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber art, glass art, sculpture, photography, wood, and recycled materials.

Admission: Free

When: March 28 - 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Where: Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive, historic downtown St. Augustine

April 4 - 5
Easter Parade and Promenade

St. Augustine's Easter Parade, now in its 66th year, is the nation's second oldest Easter Parade. This hometown parade welcomes visitors to join in the community's celebration by lining the streets to watch marching bands, floats, drill teams, the Easter Bunny, and the city's carriage horses wearing their Easter hats. Trophies are presented to winners in four categories.

The promenade is a spectacle of Easter bonnets and festive Easter costumes. Awards are presented in various categories such as Most Creative Hat, Best Dressed Pet, and Family from Farthest Away. Prizes are awarded to the winners, and all are welcome to participate in the contests.

Admission: Free

When: The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. April 4, 2026. The promenade starts at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Where: The parade is along San Marco Avenue and Avenida Menendez in downtown St. Augustine, beginning at the Old Jail Museum. The promenade is at the gazebo of the Plaza de la Constitución between King Street and Cathedral Place.

April 22 - 26
Florida's Birding & Photo Fest

The internationally acclaimed Florida Birding and Photo Fest features more than 130 birding and outdoor photography events in and around St. Johns County. Every day offers various classes, seminars, and excursions as well as birding and nature photography clinics. This year's nature tours include sunrise and sunset outdoor adventures.

Admission: $15.00 - $25.00 for one-time registration; Individual classes and events have additional fees.

When: Wednesday through Sunday, April 22 through April 26, 2026. 

Where: The festival is headquartered at Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Both the opening reception and keynote presentation will take place at the Whitney Lab Center for Marine Studies. Individual events take place throughout the area.

April 12
29th Annual Taste of St. Augustine 

Serving up tastes of featured dishes from St. Augustine restaurants, this signature food festival benefits EPIC Behavioral Healthcare. Restaurants compete for the TOStA (Taste of St. Augustine) awards, with categories including Best Family Dining, Best Ethnic Food, and Best Dessert, as well as the People's Choice Award. Everyone gets a vote. There's also a children's area with craft activities and face-painting as well as live music throughout the day.

Admission: $10.00 per person; free for kids 12 and younger; taste tickets are $1.00 each with restaurants charging between five tickets per taste.

When: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: The St. Augustine Amphitheatre on A1A South in St. Augustine

The 2026 event has not been announced yet.
Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts 

For two weeks, the nation's oldest city will have a love affair with the cultural community as it showcases music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and other various creative and cultural heritage events.

Admission: Most events are free.

When: Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 18, 2025

Where: At various locations around St. Augustine.

May 2
St. Augustine Brewers' Fest

St. Augustine's local brew houses team up with breweries from around the state and country to offer a day of fun for craft beer enthusiasts at the third annual St. Augustine Brewers' Fest. Showcasing independent, smaller breweries, the Brewers' Fest supports different local nonprofits every year. Using a souvenir cup when visiting beer tents stationed around the Fountain of Youth, festival-goers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to stay hydrated throughout the duration of the event.

Admission: $50.00 advance, $60.00 at the door; $120.00 VIP tickets; $10.00 for designated drivers with a regular ticket. 

When: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Where: The Fountain of Youth, 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine

May 6 - 10
St. Augustine History Festival

Admission: Events are free while admission to historical sites varies.

When: Wednesday, May 6 to Sunday, May 10, 2026 — times vary.

Where: At locations in and around historic downtown St. Augustine.

May 7 - 9
St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival

The 6th annual St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, named "One of Florida's Top 10 Food & Wine Festivals" by USA Today, is a culinary, beverage, and cultural showcase highlighting celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/proprietors, artisans, farmers, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits, and beer brands from around the globe. The festival offers a wide variety of events including wine dinners, tastings, and master classes.

Admission: Tickets are per event and range from $99.00 to $175.00. Ticket packages are also available.

When: May 7 - 9, 2026

Where: Most events are at Ancient City Farmstead, 395 St. Marks Pond Boulevard, in St. Augustine. Select events are in Vilano Beach.

The 2026 event has not been announced yet.
Sunflower and Tomato Festival

This annual springtime festival celebrates the sunflower and the tomato with activities such as a kids zone, salsa tasting contest, handmade market, live entertainment, food trucks, and other farm fun. Pick your own produce or flowers or purchase produce that's already been picked.

Admission: $7.00 in advance and $10.00 at the gate. Children younger than two are free.

When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: Wesley Wells Farms U-Pick Field, 2680 Ada Arnold Road, St. Augustine, FL 32092

Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle for 2026 Festivals

The City of St. Augustine provides a free park-and-ride shuttle service downtown during the peak spring break and festival season. 

For a no-cost, easy entry and exit from the Historic Downtown, use the free park-and-ride shuttles. The shuttle service starts at 11:00 a.m. on select Saturdays in March and April 2026, with an 8:00 a.m. start during the two parade days, March 14 and April 4, 2026.

Free parking is available at 198 & 212 West King Street, at the intersection of U.S. 1 and King Street—known as "Broudy's Lot." From there, shuttles run continuously until 9:00 p.m. each Saturday, dropping off and picking up people at the Visitor Information Center.

Paid parking is available at the downtown parking garage, next to Francis Field, on South Castillo Drive. Parking is available in the garage for cars displaying a handicap plate or placard. 

The full 2026 Park-and-Ride Shuttle Schedule

The start times of shuttle operation vary by date:

• Saturday, March 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 pm.
• Saturday, March 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (St. Patrick's Parade)
• Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Easter Parade)