Special Events in St. Augustine

January
Annual Matanzas 5K & Fun Run
Held in late January
Location: Swing Park and Bayfront
904-797-7575
Take the lead, just keep pace or cheer from the sidelines one of St. Augustine's most popular races. This 5K run begins from Swing Park and continues downtown along the bay front. Race begins at 9:00 a.m. and is followed by an awards ceremony.

February
Changing of the Guard
Held in early February
Location: Government House
904-825-1004
Relive an evening in 1740 in this reenactment of the Spanish garrison securing the town for the night. Ceremony includes a march along St. George Street and a military drill, with commands in Spanish, ending with a musket volley. Afterwards, the soldiers will interact with the public, answering questions and posing for photos.

Annual San Sebastian Winefest
Held in late February
Location: San Sebastian Winery
904-826-1594
Celebrate the new wine releases at San Sebastian Winery, 157 King Street. Complimentary tours and wine tasting are offered. Local artists will display and sell their original work. Listen to live music in 'The Cellar Upstairs' Wine and Jazz Bar throughout the entire weekend on the open-air deck. A selection of San Sebastian wine, beer, soft drinks and light appetizers are available for purchase.

March
Native American Indian Festival
Held in early March
Location: Francis Field
888-277-0188
Sample buffalo stew, roasted corn and other Indian food at this annual outdoor event that features the food, music, art and craftsmanship of Native Americans.

April
Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
Held in early April
Location: Francis Field on Castillo Drive
904-824-2310
Admission Free
Look for something new to please your taste when more than 130 artists display their creations at the Special Events Field on Castillo Drive during this two-day festival. Opens at 10:00 a.m. with a free shuttle running between the Downtown Plaza and the event field until 5:00 p.m. each day. Food and beverages available.

May
Regalos Festival
Held in early May
Location: Varies throughout St. Augustine
904-449-1694
Liven up the weekend with a fiesta of events that feature Spanish treasures of the Americas and include visual arts, music, crafts and culture. There will be walking tours of the art present in St. Augustine's architecture. Outdoor events include a juried art display, free jazz and folkloric performances, and more. Events sites include the Downtown Plaza, Flagler College and Café Habana.

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival
Held in early May
Location: St. Augustine Amphitheater
904-819-8700
Come and enjoy music and song at this 10th annual festival designated as a National Music and Storytelling Festival. For the general public, from Friday through Sunday, it is a non-stop musical party, complete with children's booths, rides, food booths, a fish fry, craft demonstrators, dance floor, stories, pickin', singing, contests, "jammin' tent," and more.

June
Drake's Raid
Held in early June
Location: Fountain of Youth Park and Historic District
904-829-9792
Relive history as the English corsair, Sir Francis Drake, and his raiders return to St. Augustine in an authentic annual re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city. The raiders' camp featuring displays of the arms and armor, craft skills, and lifestyle -- explained by costumed interpreters -- will be open to the public at the Fountain of Youth Park. In the late afternoon, Drake and his followers will descend on the city's historic district. Early evening will witness the English attack on St. Augustine, the Spanish residents' defense with pike and musket skirmishes and simulated destruction of the town by the invaders.

July
St. Augustine's Fourth of July Celebration
Held on the fourth of July
Location: Bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions
904-825-1004
Have a blast at one of the East Coast's largest fireworks shows! The spectacular fireworks burst above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the waters of Matanzas Bay. The 20-minute show includes a stirring soundtrack of great patriotic music.

August
Changing of the Guard
Held late June - early September, Fridays and Saturdays
904-825-1004
Witness twilight time in colonial St. Augustine as soldiers guarding the town are dismissed for the night, and their replacements arrive to deploy guarding Government House. The commander of the new watch puts them through a rigorous inspection drill before they take over their posts. The retiring soldiers, relieved of their duties, are ordered to clear their weapons with the command of "Disparen!" The resounding blast of musket fire assures 18th century St. Augustine that the changing of the guard had taken place and the town would be safe for the night. This traditional Spanish military changing of the guard takes place Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer in front of St. Augustine's Government House.

September
St. Augustine Birthday Celebration
Held in early September
Location: Mission of Nombre de Dios
904-825-1004
Admission Free
Put on your 16th century party hats and help celebrate the birthday of the City of St. Augustine! The day's events begin with a reenactment of the landing by the city's founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, at the Mission of Nombre de Dios - the exact landing point of the Spanish colonists in 1565. The event ends with Mass on the site where it was first performed in what is now the United States. The day concludes with a variety of musical entertainment and birthday cake for all at the Colonial Spanish Quarter on St. George Street.

October
Annual Greek Festival
Held in early October
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
904-829-0504
A delicious assortment of Greek foods, pastries and beverages will be served. Enjoy nonstop entertainment with live Greek music by the Grecian Strings and dancing by colorfully costumed Greek dance troupes, and lots of authentic Greek food and drink to enjoy.

November
Annual Great Chowder Debate
Held in early November
Location: Conch House Marina
904- 829-8646
Chowders of conch, clams, lobster, scallops and crab are laced with concoctions of secret spices, all leading to temptation and satisfaction at the Conch House Marina at 12:30 p.m.

December
Grande Illumination
Held in early December
Location: St. George and Cuna Streets
904-460-9368
Carry a candle and follow the torchlight parade from the Government House to the Plaza to hear the governor's proclamation, watch soldiers fire their muskets in salute to the season and sing Christmas carols at the Plaza. The Grande Illumination Ceremony is an impressive pageant of color and light that reflects the customs of the British when they occupied the city in the Eighteenth Century. At 3:30 p.m., all descendants of participants in the time when St. Augustine was a bastion of Tory sympathizers, as well as the offspring of the Sons of Liberty, citizens of the United States, and representatives of foreign dominions, not to mention officers and enlisted men of the British Regular Army and their ladies, are invited to partake of refreshing beverages and satisfying victuals on the North Green of Fort St. Marks (site subject to change, but ye shall find, if ye shall look). Colonial music and dancing after the tea. The British Night Watch Parade is Yuletide celebration from the American War of Independence.