Concerts in the Plaza, St. Augustine’s free summer-long music series, returns for its 29th season serving up some of the best musical entertainment in Northeast Florida. The series includes two-hour concerts held every Thursday at 7pm starting May 30 and continuing through August 29 with a special performance on July 4, beginning at 6pm. Here’s everything you need about the best way to spend a summer night in the Ancient City.
The Experience
Reminiscent of days gone by when friends and families would gather on a summer evening to listen to music in the town square, Concerts in the Plaza brings a wide variety of musical entertainment to St. Augustine’s historic downtown all summer long. The series is known for showcasing the best in regional musical talent including bluegrass and blues, jazz and country, swing and folk, old time and popular rock. Concerts in the Plaza has something for everyone.
The Location
The series has been called “the best way to spend a Thursday night in St. Augustine,” and it’s easy to understand why when enjoying quality musical entertainment under the majestic oaks of the Plaza de la Constitución, a gathering place for the people of St. Augustine for well over four centuries.
The Plaza is located in the heart of St. Augustine between Cathedral Pl. and King St., just west of the Bridge of Lions. Each week performers entertain from The Gazebo stage, a fixture in the center of the Plaza for nearly a century. Note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza de la Constitución, but picnics are welcome.
Parking
On street parking is available near the Plaza and is free in all city managed lots and on street parking after 5:00pm. Parking is also available in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility (HDPF), 1 Cordova St., located at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza. The cost for parking in the HDPF is $15 per entry or $3 with a ParkNow card.
Rain? What rain?
Florida’s summer rain showers are usually brief, even when heavy, so it is rare for a performance to be cancelled in advance, but may be postponed or cancelled if the weather prohibits the program from continuing. If a concert is cancelled every effort will be made to notify the public at www.CityStAug.com/Concerts and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CityStAug.
What about the Fourth of July?
Since July 4 falls on a Thursday this year, that night’s concert will feature a two-hour special performance by The All Star Orchestra starting at 6:00pm followed by St. Augustine’s annual Independence Day pyrotechnic display,Fireworks Over the Matanzas starting at 9:30pm.
Concerts in the Plaza is produced by the City of St. Augustine as a free cultural enhancement for residents and visitors. For more information, call 904.825.1004 during weekday office hours or email events@citystaug.com. For complete information including a printable schedule visit www.CityStAug.com/Concerts.
