Aviles Street Festival

The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, the St. Johns Cultural Council, and the City of St. Augustine present the Aviles Street Festival, celebrating the history of this old, brick-paved street and St. Augustine's Spanish heritage.

On Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6, 2025, the establishments on Aviles Street host the Aviles Street Festival to celebrate St. Augustine's heritage. The festival starts on Friday, September 5, at 5:00 p.m., for the monthly First Friday Art Walk. The festival continues at noon on Saturday and goes to 9:00 p.m.

Events on Friday and Saturday

On both days, the festival lasts until 9:00 p.m.

• The merchants, museums, and gardens along Aviles Street invite the public to enjoy exhibits, events, music, and food.
• Reenactors representing Spanish soldiers, residents, and dignitaries from old St. Augustine stroll Aviles Street, and musicians, plein-air artists, swordplay artists, and flamenco dancers provide entertainment.
• Several of the shops, museums, and galleries host special events.
• There's live music to enjoy and crafts and food to purchase, particularly Spanish sweets.
• Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

History of Aviles Street

Aviles Street was recorded on maps at least as early as the 1570s, enabling the city to claim it as the oldest platted street in the U.S. In 1742, a member of the Spanish founding family died and left his home to the king. It was turned into a hospital that later established a reputation for sound scientific understanding of human physiology and treatment. The name "Hospital Street" was used until 1924, when it was changed to Aviles Street to honor St. Augustine's Sister City, Aviles, Spain.

Today, you turn from King Street and pass under a coquina arch proclaiming you are now on Aviles Street. You immediately see a colorful tile mural to your right. Presented to the City of St. Augustine by the City of Aviles, Spain, in 2002, the mural is made of tiles created by Spanish artists, teachers, and students.