It may be a little while before Florida truly experiences “sweater weather,” but we’re still gearing up for the sights, sounds, and smells of the season…and so is St. Augustine! As the heat winds down and the air gets a chill, the Ancient City will play host to some of the area’s most beloved festivals. From blues to beer, crocs and gators to pumpkins and art, there’s no shortage of fun to be had this season. So get ready to enjoy food, music, and more at these 2019 fall festivals in St. Augustine.
DATIL PEPPER FESTIVAL
St. Johns County Agricultural Center
October 5-6
With the popularity of the county’s favorite spicy little pepper, it’s no wonder we need a whole festival to celebrate it! The festival will feature a variety of vendors inside the center and out as well as the beloved plant sale and food court. The festival will host the Datil Pepper Restaurant Cook-Off, where local chefs will have a chance to show off their culinary skills with datil-inspired cuisine, a Professional Hot Sauce Competition and the Amateur Datil Pepper Hot Sauce competition, and the Amateur Datil Jelly and Jam Contest.
www.sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/events
SAiRA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
The River House
October 6, 1-4pm
Hosted annually by the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association, the Food & Wine Festival raises funds for the Boys & Girls Club of St. Augustine. Peruse the culinary offerings of some of the city’s best dining destinations and sample over 100 delicious wines from around the world (all of which can be found at local wine shops). The event also features a silent auction. Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 at the door.
www.staugustinerestaurants.com/food-wine-festival
ST. AUGUSTINE GREEK FESTIVAL
Francis Field
October 11-13
It’s the city’s favorite celebration of Greek food and culture! The 22nd annual Greek Festival will feature three days of traditional Greek dance, music, cuisine, and culture offering guests an authentic look into the influence of Greece on the Ancient City. The festival is hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 16 and under.
www.stauggreekfest.com
CROCTOBER FEST: BREW AT THE ZOO
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
October 12, 6-9pm
The Alligator Farm’s annual CROCtoberfest is back, featuring 20 local breweries offering two to three different brews to taste and local restaurants with a variety of food samples as well as live music and lawn games throughout the park. The event raises money for a variety of conservation efforts, this year focusing on the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, found in Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tickets are $40 per person and tastings are unlimited. This is a 21 and older event. No children are permitted.
www.alligatorfarm.com
CREEKSIDE FESTIVAL
Princess Place Preserve
October 12-13
Hosted by the Flagler County Chamber on the shores of Pellicer Creek, the popular Creekside Festival is back for its 15th year. This year’s festival will feature the essential bluegrass music with local favorites as well as arts and crafts, photo exhibitions, kids activities, food and drink, historical demonstrations, a beer garden with free samples, hay rides, and much more. When you’re not enjoying the music and history, take a beautiful hike through the surrounding trails. Be sure to come and enjoy this local favorite and all that it has to offer! Admission to this event is $5 a day.
www.flaglerchamber.org/pages/creekside-festival
FOSSA CHILDREN’S ARTS FESTIVAL
The Amp
October 13, 10am-3pm
Free and open to the public, this event is a can’t-miss for any family with little ones! Artists and organizations have donated their time and talents to make this an incredibly exciting day of interactive arts activities. Children can sing, dance, play instruments, engage in a variety of art projects, play theatre games, frolic with pirates, get a library card, join a drum circle, learn about the environment, and lots, lots more. Area organizations with information for families, and a select group of non-food vendors will also be on hand.
www.fosaa.org
ST. AMBROSE FALL FESTIVAL
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
October 13, 12-4pm
Ring in the fall season with a day full of fun for the whole family at the annual St. Ambrose Fall Festival. Entertainment and activities abound with live music, a silent auction, a bake sale, hay rides, face painting, and lots of kids’ games. When you’re done with the activities, chow down on some Minorcan clam chowder and delicious barbecue. Admission to the festival and parking are both free.
www.saintambrose-church.org
ST. BENEDICT BLUES FESTIVAL
Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church
October 18-19
Get ready for some good food and some good music at this celebration of all things blues. Enjoy food like New Orlean’s gumbo, pulled pork, ribs, and plenty of desserts while you sip on selections from Ancient City Brewing. Folding chairs are available but you are more than welcome to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets to get cozy on. Admission is $5 and includes parking.
www.stbensbluesfest.com
ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL AT MARKLAND
Markland Florida
October 19, 10am-3pm
Markland residents, friends, and families from surrounding areas…everyone is invited to this free event open to the public! Celebrate fall with some fun activities for children and adults, like Crafts, Face painting, Carnival games, a Balloon artist, Food trucks, Live music, Local vendors, and much more!
www.markland.com
THE GREAT AMERICAN SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Simple Gestures
October 19, 11am-3pm
Bring your own clothing or use donated items to create and decorate your very own scarecrow! Throughout the day, you’ll also find pumpkin painting, apple bobbing, food, drinks, live music, and lots of other activities to celebrate fall. Proceeds benefit Pie in the Sky, a local nonprofit organization that assists local senior citizens.
www.pieintheskystjohns.org
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL FALL FESTIV’ALL
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church
October 20, 11am-4pm
Head over to Our Lady of Good Counsel for their Fall Festival event! The Annual Fall Festiv’All will include kids games, inflatables, Filipino & Festival Foods, Entertainment and a Classic Car Show.
www.olgc-church.org
ST. AUGUSTINE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
Multiple Venues
October 25-27
The 3rd annual St. Augustine Songwriters Festival is back again this year, taking place at multiple venues throughout the historic district. This festival will include performances from outstanding songwriters ranging from legendary artists, current hit-creators, and up-and-coming stars. This event will host a variety of concerts for attendees to enjoy around town throughout the weekend. These concerts are free and open to the public and will take place at various times throughout the afternoon and evenings.
www.staugustinesongwritersfestival.com
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm
October 25-27, 5:30-7pm
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park is hosting a weekend of festivities leading up to Halloween during their Creatures of the Night event. This event offers a fun and unusual way for both kids and adults to enjoy Halloween this season! Enjoy this evening of tricks and treats featuring creepy insects, and alligator feedings along the way. Kids will also have the opportunity to meet the animals at the farm and learn more about them by collecting informational cards as they trick-or-treat along the path. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly spooktacular event! Admission is $8 for children, and $10 for adults.
www.alligatorfarm.com
PUMPKIN PATCH TAKEOVER
World Golf Village
October 26, 2-8pm
Taking place at World Golf Village, this family-friendly event will include many activities including bobbing for donuts, cookie decorating, scarecrow stuffing, stencil painting, and pumpkin picking. You don’t want to miss this fantastic fall event!
www.worldgolfvillage.com
ANCIENT CITY KIDS DAY
Francis Field
October 26, 11am-3pm
Coordinated by EPIC and brought to the community by a committee of children’s organizations, Ancient City Kids Day is a day of fun-filled activities for children and families. The event is free for the public and will include over 40 youth service organizations each of whom will offer games, activities, crafts, giveaways, bounce houses, or fun contests for kids. The festival will also provide information about programs and services all over the county.
www.epicbh.org/ancient-city-kids-day
NOCTOBERFEST
Nocatee, Ponte Vedra
October 26-27
There’s a new fall festival in town, and it’s bound to be a good one! In the hallowed tradition of Octoberfest, NOCtoberfest will feature live music all throughout the festival with Sister Hazel headlining. There will be food trucks, vendors, a kids’ zone with inflatables, bounce houses, rock climbing walls, a 110-foot ferris wheel, a Stein Hoisting Competition, a Cornhole Tournament, and several German cities with various German beers. Whew. We’ll definitely be there.
www.noctoberfest.org
ANCIENT CITY BAPTIST CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL
Ancient City Baptist Church
October 31, 6-8pm
The Ancient City Baptist Church annual Fall Festival will take place at the Church’s playground on Halloween! Come celebrate the season with plenty of activities for kids of all ages, including a giant slide, and food for the whole family. This is event is free and open to the public.
www.ancientcitybaptist.org
VILANO FEST
Vilano Beach Pier
November 2-3
Celebrate the beautiful Vilano Beach community with this delightful annual festival. The fun kicks off with great food and live music for the Sea Turtle Soirée on Saturday night, then the popular Tour of Homes all day on Sunday. The Soirée will feature hors d’oeuvres and drinks provided by The Reef and live music provided by the Ramona Band Trio. Transportation for the Tour of Homes will be provided by Old Town Trolley, and the tour features eight stops, including homes with amazing views of the ocean and of the Intracoastal, as well as of the city of St. Augustine.
www.vilanofest.com
HISTORIC LINCOLNVILLE FESTIVAL
Historic Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center
November 8-10
To start off the three-day Historic Lincolnville Festival, join the community for Jazz Music at the center. This date is the only one that has a cost and that is $20 per ticket. Either way, all three dates are ones that you should attend! The weekend will be centered around African American Educators. There are two other dates, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10 that are free to the public. There will be food, dancing, kids activities, and tours and it is one of the best events of the year in downtown St. Augustine!
www.lhprs.org
HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR EVENT
Renaissance Resort in World Golf Village
November 17, 10am-4pm
Presented by the Jacksonville Business Connections, the 7th annual free craft and vendor event is coming to the Renaissance Resort in World Golf Village! With around 130 vendors who will feature art, food, and other crafts, this event is perfect for a family outing. Bring the kids to see Santa and take pictures that will last a lifetime. There are also chances to enter raffles and win prizes so grab your kids and head down to World Golf Village to have some Fall fun! Entry is free for all.
www.jaxbizevents.com
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Downtown St. Augustine
November 23-January 31
Join thousands of tourists and city residents as they celebrate the annual “Light Up! Night!” It marks the beginning of the “Night of Lights” season which is when the entire downtown area is decorated with sparkling lights and displays for the Christmas season. There will be music from the All Star Orchestra, holiday carol singing, and a countdown for the lighting of the massive Christmas tree in the center of it all. Make sure you secure your spot on the grounds early because when it comes close to the time of the countdown, there is not a vacant spot anywhere around!
www.citystaug.com/LightUpNight
ST. AUGUSTINE FESTIVAL OF ART
Francis Field
November 30 and December 1
The St. Augustine Art Association, with the support of many community volunteers, has been hosting the annual St. Augustine Festival of Art for over five decades. Discover and shop thousands of original works of fine art for sale, from paintings and pottery to handbags, jewelry, sculpture, woodworks, glass, and other one-of-a-kind creations. Enjoy live music produced by the Gamble Rogers Folk Music Festival, cultural displays, artist demos, food trucks, beers and wines, and the popular downtown Nights of Lights! This two-day event benefits the programs of the Art Association while animating the art scene and boosting the local economy.
www.staaa.org
Don’t see your festival on our list? Let us know in the comments below!Don’t see your festival on our list? Let us know in the comments below!