Independence Celebration at the Castillo

On July 3, 2026, the National Park Service and the St. Augustine Music Festival collaborate to offer special performances at the Castillo de San Marcos to honor America's 250th birthday. Throughout the day, music ensembles from the St. Augustine Music Festival present music befitting the occasion:

• Fife and drum musicians walk throughout the fort, performing interpretive music at several locations.
• A brass quintet offers ceremonial fanfares and patriotic selections.
• The brass quintet presents scheduled performances at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m.

Connecting Music with Our History

This project is in partnership with the National Park Service, which celebrates its 110th birthday this year in August. The performances remind us of the connection between music, place, and our history. During the Revolutionary War, fife and drum units helped signal commands and manage troop movements and boosted the morale of the Continental Army. Years later, composers such as John Phillip Sousa and Aaron Copland wrote uplifting works and fanfares to honor our nation's history and boost the morale of the citizens and military during conflicts.

Throughout the weekend, from July 3 through July 5, 2026, you can visit the Castillo de San Marcos for free. If you visit on July 3, you can hear inspiring music reflecting the American Revolution and our country's history, as you learn more about this historic national monument.

Event Details

Admission: Free. The Castillo de San Marcos offers free admission on July 3 through July 5, 2026.

When: The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The musicians perform periodically throughout the day, and the brass quintet offers special fanfares on the hours between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Where: The Castillo de San Marcos, 11 S. Castillo Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084