St. Augustine Activities | Blog

Merry and Bright!

Happy Holidays from the Nations Oldest City!

Merry and Bright!

Happy Holidays from the Nations Oldest City!

The Venardos Circus is setting up its Big Top at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre again this year, with a brand new cast, show and music. An annual tradition during the holiday season, the traveling troupe will perform 30 shows over three weeks from December 16, 2022 through January 1, 2023

Created and produced by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Venardos Circus pays tribute to the traditional circus experience with a new-generation mix of Broadway style and high quality in an intimate setting under the red-striped tent.

The act is a combination of stage artistry, aerialists, acrobatics, dancing, daredevilry, music and magic. Each performance is 90 minutes with a brief intermission. An interactive pre-show party begins one hour before each show time, where guests can meet the cast and play some games. The entire show takes place inside a traditional circus tent that seats 300 people. All the classic circus snacks are available — popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and lemonade. No performing animals are involved in the show.

Looking for things to do in St. Augustine during Nights of Lights 2022-23? This event features millions of tiny, white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the nation's oldest city. From roof shingle to doorway entrance, the buildings of downtown will glow in holiday cheer.

Vacationers can walk through the Plaza de la Constitución during Nights of Lights and stare up at the glowing lights in the trees, and wander through the brick streets of downtown while taking in the beautiful and magical sights. Visitors can snap photos with outdoor displays, like the holiday tree in the center of the town plaza or grab some hot cocoa from a local restaurant.

Bright Lights, Ancient City!

Light up your Holiday!

Bright Lights, Ancient City!

Light up your Holiday!

The 29th Annual Nights of Lights dazzles with more than 3 million lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months.

This award-winning holiday lights display runs from November 19, 2022, to January 31, 2023, in historic St. Augustine. During the seasonal display, businesses downtown stay open later, letting you dine in view of the lights and browse the shops of the decorated buildings.

The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas, and there are also a variety of specialty tours — everything from walking to electric cart tours, and even tours to see the lights from the water and from the air.

The 28th Annual Light-Up! Night begins at 4 p.m. with a performance by Showtime USA presenting a wide variety of holiday musical favorites. Showtime's performance will be in front of St. Augustine's City Hall, 75 King St. At 5:30 p.m., the All-Star Orchestra takes the stage with great swing and big band sounds all in grand holiday style at the historic Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo. During the Light-Up! Night ceremony, which Nights of Lights begins at 6:30 p.m. in the plaza, the switch to the Nights of Lights is flipped to illuminate the city. The concert continues after the ceremony until 7:30 p.m.

This is the local winter holiday celebration in St. Augustine where each historic downtown business and many residents participate by lighting up their buildings. The celebration was chosen in 2011 and 2012 by National Geographic as one of the 10 dazzling holiday lighting displays in the world. The dazzling display continues to dazzle, becoming more and more popular each year as a holiday destination for vacationers from all over the world.

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre will welcome the three-person rock group, Paramore, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.

From Tennessee, the band was formed in 2004 by lead vocalist Hayley Williams and drummer Zac Farro. Guitarist Taylor York joined the band in 2007. Their first album, All We Know is Falling, was released in 2005 and reached # 4 on the UK Rock Chart in 2009.

Rhythm&Ribs

Award Winning Barbeque and great Live Music!

Sing It Out at Sing Out Loud!

St. Augustine knows how to do music right!

Sing It Out at Sing Out Loud!

St. Augustine knows how to do music right!

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre presents legendary R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire in concert on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Earth, Wind & Fire are a musical institution. 2020 marked a year-long celebration of their 50th anniversary in entertainment – one that has taken them all around the globe playing sold out concerts. The band has scored eight number one hits, have sold over 100 million albums worldwide and released 23 albums. Eight of those albums went Double Platinum and hit the Top 10, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time. They've won an impressive nine Grammy Awards including one for Lifetime Achievement (2012). In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their lasting impact on popular music.

St. Augustine will host one of the biggest music festivals in the Southeast this September when the Sing Out Loud Music Festival returns for its sixth season. For three full weekends in September, the festival will offer free concerts by an amazing roster of singers, songwriters and musicians at multiple venues in the St. Augustine area.

Over three weekends in September (9 - 11, 16 - 18, and 23 - 25), the Sing Out Loud Festival will present free shows at venues around town. Please note, that this schedule is subject to change. Our team will endeavor to keep things updated as needed.

The Sing Out Loud Festival aims to include as much of the local music community as possible. Venues signed on for this year’s event include Sarbez, the St. Augustine Distillery, Dog Rose Brewing Co., the Colonial Oak Music Park, Odd Birds's, St. Augustine Waterworks, Beacon Listening Room, Shanghai Nobby’s, the Art Studio of St. Augustine Beach, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Endless Summer of Music

For those who just can't jam hard enough! This Endless Summer is all about the Music!

Endless Summer of Music

For those who just can't jam hard enough! This Endless Summer is all about the Music!

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre welcomes country music star Lee Brice in a live concert with special guests Michael Ray and Jackson Dean on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Brice was awarded the Pandora Billionaire plaque as one of the most-often played country artists on that system (second only to Keith Urban.) Nine of his signals have reached number one, including: "Hard to Love," "I Don’t Dance," and "One of Them Girls." A prolific songwriter, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Garth Brooks have recorded Brice's songs.

Keeping it at the Amp be sure to catch: Slightly Stoopid!

Founded in 1995 by the musical brotherhood Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, the California-based band Slightly Stoopid is known for their fusion of reggae, punk, folk, rock, and blues. The band consists of McDonald, Doughty, Ryan "Rymo" Morgan, Oguer "OF" Ocon, Daniel "Dela" Delacruz, Paul Wolstencroft and Andy Geib. Their most recent single “Everyday People (Headhunter remix)” featured hip-hop legend B-Real of Cypress Hill, and longtime collaborator and friend G. Love (G. Love & Special Sauce). with special guests Pepper, Common Kings, and Fortunate Youth.

If you can’t get enough music, then be sure to check out: Music and art by the Sea!

Season 20 of Music and Art by the Sea begins May 25, 2022, and continues each Wednesday through June 25, 2022, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. After taking a break during the summer's hottest weeks the event starts again and runs for six weeks from August 17 through September 21, 2022.

Every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. and features a weekly art show, music by local DJs, and the option to purchase dinner from a local food truck.

From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music from a local musician or group. A different musical act is featured each week so that many genres are represented throughout the summer — from Jazz and R & B to Disco, Americana, Folk, Classic Rock, and Pop, among others.

Guests are welcome to bring coolers and picnic baskets. Chairs and bug spray are encouraged. Chairs can be placed in the pavilion as early as 4 p.m. Each week, from 5 to 8 p.m. (or when the food runs out) at least one food truck from the Village Garden Food Truck Park will offer menu items at $10 or less per serving.

The listed bands and food trucks are subject to change. For updated information, be sure to check the Music by the Sea website or the event's Facebook Page.

Music, Markets and Museums

Its July and summer is in full swing!

Music, Markets and Museums

Its July and summer is in full swing!

Be sure to get up early for The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market, which offers visitors a variety of goods like local, fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, plants directly off the farm, freshly-caught seafood, cheeses, and more. The farmers market makes for a morning of family-friendly fun with live entertainment on select dates. In addition to the impressive variety of organic produce offered by local farmers here, a number of local artists and craftsmen display their wares at the market. And while we’re talking about The Amp:

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre will welcome the genre-bending band Whiskey Myers at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2022. Their self-produced fifth studio album, Whiskey Myers, out now on the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts, at No. 2 on the Rock chart, and No. 6 on the all genre Billboard 200 chart. Whiskey Myers' high-energy live shows and unique sound have also earned sync success with features (and an appearance) in Paramount Network’s hit show “Yellowstone” as well as the Renée Zellweger-led Netflix series “What/If,” the Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and hit CBS series “SEAL Team.”

With all the fun on the island, remember to come back into the heart of the historic district to visit The Lightner Museum! Discover St. Augustine through the Impressionist paintings of Martha Ferguson. The Lightner Museum displays the Martha Ferguson – Beyond the Crowds exhibit from June 3 - July 22, 2022. Working in an Impressionistic style, Martha Ferguson's paintings transport viewers into St. Augustine's cityscapes. She reveals secret passages, vistas, the hidden gems where locals walk dogs, watch sunsets, and stroll through ancient architecture. She begins with plein air paintings that become studies for works she completes in her studio. Her pieces are declarations on how light reveals the true nature of a captured moment.

saint patrick day irish marching band drummers

March Features All Things Celtic

St. Augustine is a city of rich and multi-cultural heritages, and many of the city’s most popular events celebrate this with such events as the Celtic Music & Heritage Festival.

sunset at the sailboat deck while cruising

Fabulous Food, Spanish Wine, and a Sunset Sail

February in St. Augustine features fabulous weather, a warm and friendly vibe, a plethora of entertaining events and activities, and, of course, Valentine’s Day.

Birds, Turtles, and Contemporary Art

January in St. Augustine features a myriad of fun and fabulous events for our guest’s enjoyment, and listed below are three of our favorites.

St. Augustine’s 65th Annual Christmas Parade

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and St. Augustine is lighting up with holiday spirit. Brimming with festive floats, decorations, and family-fun, celebrate the holiday season at St. Augustine’s 65th Annual Christmas Parade.

Explore Castillo de San Marcos

Enjoy the picture-perfect fall weather and treat the family to a day of sightseeing at Castillo de San Marcos. After fueling up with a delicious breakfast at our hotel, step back in time to experience an extraordinary sense of history at the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.

Unleash Your Creativity at the Annual Art & Craft Fair

Every year, locals and visitors alike get together for a weekend of creative fun at the St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival. Featuring the work of over 100 talented artists, this premier outdoor art fair will celebrate its 54th year from November 30 to December 1, 2019, offering the perfect opportunity for some pre-holiday shopping.

Plan Your Getaway

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