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. So get ready to enjoy food, music, and more at these 2018 fall festivals in St. Augustine.
SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL
Venues around St. Augustine
Weekends, September 1-23
For the third year in a row, the Sing Out Loud Music Festival is taking over the Ancient City and bringing in acts of all different genres to entertain the masses. Get ready for the air to be filled with the harmonies of collaborating artists, the dreams of aspiring stars, and the melodious sounds of some of the industries favorite musicians. A full schedule of events can be found online or accessed through the Sing Out Loud Festival app.
www.singoutloudfestival.com
DATIL PEPPER FESTIVAL
St. Johns County Agricultural Center
October 6-7
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. On Saturday, 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.
www.sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/events
ST. AUGUSTINE GREEK FESTIVAL
Francis Field
October 12-14
It’s the city’s favorite celebration of Greek food and culture! The 21st 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
ST. AMBROSE FALL FESTIVAL
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
October 14, 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
SAiRA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
The River House
October 14, 12-4pm
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
ESTU-SCARY FESTIVAL
GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center
October 26-27
Join the GTM Research Reserve for a frighteningly fun Halloween event. At the festival, you’ll find kid-friendly booths, candy, popcorn, a food truck, and lots of games. If you’re in the mood for a Halloween fright, purchase a ticket for the Haunted Forest Tour – a ghastly and ghostly exploration of the woods…and everything that lurks inside it! Tickets for the Haunted Forest Tour and the hayride are $8 online and $10 at the door.
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-estuscary-festival-and-haunted-forest
FIRST COAST ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW
Mark Lance National Guard Armory
October 27, 10am-5pm
The fall season always brings some of our favorite arts and crafts artists to the First Coast. Vendors will display their work in jewelry, home decor, clothing, candles, artwork, and plenty more. There will also be food and beverage vendors on hand. So head out to the festival and get a little early Christmas shopping done! Admission to the festival is free.
www.firstcoastcrafts.com
ANCIENT CITY KIDS DAY
Francis Field
October 27, 11am-3pm
Coordinated by EPIC and brought to the community by a committee of children 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
LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FEST
Porches around Lincolnville
November 10
In the second installment of what is fast becoming an area tradition, the Lincolnville Porch Fest will feature more than 40 artists performing on porches around the neighborhood. The festival shows off some of the most beautiful historic architecture of the neighborhood and highlights some great music acts.
www.facebook.com/lincolnvilleporchfest
FLORIDA TINY HOUSE FESTIVAL
St. Johns County Fairgrounds
November 16-18
For the third year in a row, the festival is bringing tiny house living to St. Johns County. At this year’s event, there will be a large assortment of tiny houses and micro homes, workshops, presentations by industry experts on all things tiny homes, a large assortment of vendors, live entertainment, plenty of activities for children and lots more. One-day tickets are $20 at the gate and two-day tickets are $35 at the gate.
www.unitedtinyhouse.com/2018-florida-tiny-house-festival
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Downtown St. Augustine
November 17-January 31
It draws thousands of people to the city every year, but even as a local, Nights of Lights is not something you want to miss out on. Light up night happens on November 17 with music in the Plaza de la Constitucion and the proverbial “flipping of the switch” by city officials. Any spot downtown will give you a beautiful view of the sudden illumination of 2 million white lights.
www.nightsoflights.com
ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Francis Field
November 24-25
The St. Augustine Art Association, with the support of many community volunteers, has been hosting the annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival for over five decades. This popular juried art fair showcases 150 top national and regional artists exhibiting paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, woodworks, glass and other unique fine art creations. The festival will be open from 10am-5pm on November 24 and 10am-4:30pm on November 25.
www.staaa.org/festival
Don’t see your festival on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
