Ripley's Red Train sports a pair of giant bunny ears while giving a ride to several dignitaries in the Easter Parade

Easter Celebrations 2024

Easter Sunday is March 31, 2024, and with local Easter traditions rooted in the city’s rich history and special worship services, St. Augustine is the perfect place to celebrate the Easter season. Leading up to Easter Sunday, St. Augustine’s “Royal Family” will present heritage celebrations throughout the city, with The Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, March 24, 2024, following Palm Sunday Mass. Later in the week, the "Royal Family" will recognize members of the community for their contributions to St. Augustine in the Royal Knighting Ceremony.

St. Augustine's traditional Easter Parade will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, stepping out just north of the Mission Nombre de Dios at 9:00 a.m. and continuing south along the bayfront to the Plaza de la Constitución. The Easter Promenade will be held at the Plaza de la Constitución on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Families looking for fun ways to enjoy the Easter holiday will find no shortage of opportunities to search for festive eggs in Easter Egg Hunts.

Sunrise services are held in Crescent Beach on Easter Sunday. We also have information on Easter Church Services, as well as a guide to dining out on Easter Sunday.

Upcoming Easter Events

March 25, 2024, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
March 29, 2024, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Stormtroopers from Star Wars get into the Easter spirit with bunny ears, tutus, and pink-accented costumes
March 30, 2024, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
March 31, 2024, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Three women, wearing sun hats decorated for the Easter Promenade
March 31, 2024, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
All featured events

Easter Week

Celebrate with egg hunts, elegant and fun hats, and in the worship service of your choice.

The annual events start early in March with Easter egg hunts and pick up just before Palm Sunday. We try to include all of the secular public events and we list Easter services held at historic churches those closest to the larger tourist populations.

Mar 21st
6:00 pm

Royal Family Transfer of Office

A heritage event commemorating the city's ties to Spain and the passing of the scepter.

This St. Augustine heritage event commemorates the city's Spanish origins and the reign of Queen Marianna, King Juan Carlos, and Princess Margarita Maria. St. Augustine residents enact the parts of the Royal Family in full costume and pass the scepter in an annual ceremony just before Easter.

Kids playing and searching during an Easter egg hunt
Mar 23rd
9:00 am

Easter Egg Hunts 2024

Parks, churches, and organizations host Easter egg hunts for kids.

Many parks, churches, and organizations offer special Easter activities for kids every year. Here's a list of those events including egg hunts and photos with the Easter Bunny, leading up to and including Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Visitors can enjoy a historic tradition as St. Augustine vessels are blessed by the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Mar 24th
12:00 pm

Blessing of the Fleet 2024

The Diocese of St. Augustine's bishop blesses vessels in a historic local tradition.

The Blessing of the Fleet, a historical ceremony dating back to the city's earliest days of Spanish colonial occupation, takes place each year on Palm Sunday, beginning at 12:00 p.m. The 2024 date is Sunday, March 24, 2024, and all vessels — commercial and pleasure — are invited to receive a blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Mar 25th
6:00 pm

Royal Knighting Ceremony

The Royal Family recognizes St. Augustine residents who have made community contributions.

The Royal Knighting Ceremony is performed every year during Easter Week by the St. Augustine Royal Family to bestow knighthood upon residents of St. Augustine who have been selected based on their good civic deeds. St. Augustine residents portray the royal family in full costume and conduct the ceremony.

Stormtroopers from Star Wars get into the Easter spirit with bunny ears, tutus, and pink-accented costumes
Mar 30th
9:00 am

Easter Parade 2024

A tradition that dates back to 1956, the parade is held on the Saturday of Easter weekend.

The nation's second oldest Easter Parade, St. Augustine's Parada de los Caballos y Coches (Parade of Horses and Carriages) has commemorated the Easter holiday every year since 1956. This year, St. Augustine celebrates the Easter parade's 65th anniversary on Saturday, March 30, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Mar 29th
6:30 pm

Easter Church Services 2024

St. Augustine's churches host Good Friday, Easter sunrise, and Easter services.

Weekend worship services are held throughout the St. Augustine area over Easter weekend, on Friday, March 29, and Sunday, March 31, 2024. Easter sunrise services are included. Unless otherwise noted, all services take place on Easter Sunday.

Three women, wearing sun hats decorated for the Easter Promenade
Mar 31st
1:00 pm

Easter Promenade

Fancy hats, often created at home, are the stars of this Easter tradition.

The Annual Easter Promenade, a spectacle of outrageous Easter bonnets and costumes will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the gazebo in the Plaza de la Constitución. Everyone is invited to join the fun as a spectator or participant at the Easter Promenade and costume contest.

A lamb dish served at the Columbia Restaurant
Mar 31st
9:30 am

Easter Sunday Brunch & Dinner

Find the perfect spot for a delicious Easter meal.

Easter Week is a busy time in St. Augustine with local traditions rooted in the city's rich history. From the Blessing of the Fleet to Easter egg hunts, sunrise services on the beach, and the well-loved Easter Parade, visitors will find plenty of things to do in the nation's oldest city during the Easter holiday.

Other Things to Do on Easter

Most places will be open on Easter Sunday.

If you prefer an early breakfast to a champagne brunch, if the Easter Bunny didn't fill your basket with your favorite chocolates, if you want to spend time on the beach, at the park, or at the attractions in town — most places are open on Easter Sunday.