Ancient City Baptist Church will host the Lawson Ensemble for an afternoon of chamber music as part of St. Augustine's Romanza Festivale.

Romanza Festivale 2024

Romanza Festival presents art and performances for two weeks in the spring of 2024.

The Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts presents two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events that celebrate all things St. Augustine. For two weeks in May, (and a few other times before and after) the nation’s oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, and live theatre to celebrate St. Augustine’s historical and cultural heritage. Daily performances, tours, and a variety of activities can be found in many locations throughout the city. "Romanza" means romance, and each year the Romanza Festivale continues to showcase the arts community, expressing their love affair with St. Augustine.

Upcoming Romanza Events

Art lovers browse the galleries on Aviles Street at the Friday Night Art Walk in St. Augustine, FL
Apr 5th
5:00 pm
Apr 24th
ALL Day
Painting of Marine Street by Emmett Fritz
May 3rd
12:00 pm
Singer Lisa Lockhart, in a blue dress, holds a microphone while standing in front of a burgandy curtain
May 3, 2024, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A couple kisses while sitting on a bench at the top of a hill in front of a lovely blue sky
May 3, 2024, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The St. Augustine Orchestra on stage
May 4, 2024, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jordan Taylor on guitar and Micah Taylor on cello, performing on stage in front of a red curtain
May 5, 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
All featured events

About Romanza Festivale

What is Romanza Festivale?

Romanza Festivale celebrates performance and visual arts and their creators by producing two weeks of exhibitions and entertainment. Events take place throughout both weeks, and most are free to attend. Romanza is sponsored in part by Florida Arts and Culture, St. Johns Cultural Council, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, and the St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival. Each year, the festival honors St. Augustine's cultural heritage with performances and events representing all of those who have lived here. While the actual Romanza Festivale will be limited to a two-week calendar, the Celtic Music and Heritage Festival, a major fundraiser for Romanaza, and a few other special events get the Romanza stamp of approval and sponsorship.

Mama Blue performs at Romanza in St. Augustine.

Updated March 12th, 2024

Discover a love of all things cultural in St. Augustine with Romanza.

Oh! The Music You'll Hear! The Art You'll See!

From improv to the Count Basie Orchestra, you can find it at Romanza.

Each year, this two-week event brings globally acclaimed performers to St. Augustine while sponsoring local theatrical productions and art shows, and promoting local artists and musicians to a wider audience.

Romanza Festivale presents more than 25 performances and shows, all concentrated within 15 days—most of them at no cost to the public. 

The 2024 Count Basie Orchestra, standing and seated with their instruments
May 12th
4:00 pm

Romanza Festivale: The Count Basie Orchestra

Swing with the Count Basie Orchestra on Mother's Day, 2024.

The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra headlines the 2024 Romanza Festivale, on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., at Lewis Auditorium. Pianist and band leader Basie formed the orchestra in 1935 and led the group until he died in 1984.

A park bench, in a city park, surrounded by trees, sunlight shining on the area
May 17th
12:00 pm

First Coast Opera: The Stranger's Tale

This one-act opera, spotlights the homeless issues, premiered in 2005.

First Coast Opera and the Romanza Festivale present a free performance of The Stranger's Tale, on Friday, May 17, 2024, at noon, at the Ancient City Baptist Church. Funded in part by the Romanza Festivale of the Arts and by the National Endowment for the Arts, this opera premiered in 2005 with an original libretto by Nelson Sheeley.

Women of the North Florida Women's Chorale, grouped for a formal photo, all wearing black dresses
May 4th
12:00 pm

North Florida Women's Chorale: Music of Celtic Cultures

Romanza Festivale presents this program of lively Celtic music.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., the North Florida Women's Chorale presents "The Lively Music of Celtic Cultures." Part of the Chamber Music Series for the 2024 Romanza Festivale, this free program will be held at the Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla Street.

May 17th
7:30 pm

St. Augustine Concert Band Season Finale

The band's last concert of the season is presented by the Romanza Festivale.

The St. Augustine Concert Band will perform their season finale concert from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, in the Center of the Arts at R.J. Murray Middle School.

The St. Augustine Orchestra on stage
May 4th
7:30 pm

EMMA Concerts: Music from the Movies

The St. Augustine Orchestra plays classical and pop music made famous in films.

The Emma Concert Series and the Romanza Festivale of the Arts present the St. Augustine Orchestra for a concert that features favorite classical and pop music from the movies. The concert will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., in the Lewis Auditorium.

Come for Romanza Festivale and Enjoy All of St. Augustine

Known for her historical significance, St. Augustine offers fun and food for the whole family.

Dine out before or after a Romanza event. Find other local musicians and listen in their natural habitat (aka bar or restaurant). Visit some of the many historical properties in the area. Have fun at one of our local attractions. St. Augustine offers the perfect place to enjoy a vacation, a long weekend, or a bit of time between events.