We may not always get the chilly breezes and changing trees, but we can still enjoy the fall festivals and pumpkins. Autumn is usually the season for events, but due to Covid, things may look a little different this year. While we are disappointed that some of our local traditions have been postponed or cancelled, there are still plenty of things around St. Augustine that will get you into the spirit of the season. Here is a list of some great fall activities and events to enjoy with your family and friends.
Pumpkin Patches
First United Methodist Church
118 King Street St.
Opening October 8, 10am-7pm daily
The First United Methodist church offers pumpkins of all sizes and prices at their downtown location on the corner of King St. and Riberia. The pumpkins go on sale on Thursday, October 8, 2020 until all the pumpkins are gone. Hours for purchase are 10 am to 7 pm daily. Prices range from 50 cents to $35.
www.facebook.com/FUMCStAugustine
PUMPKIN PATCHES CLOSED FOR 2020
- Shores United Methodist Church – There will be no pumpkin patch in 2020 at Shores United Methodist Church.
- River of Life United Methodist Church – This year, the River of Life United Methodist Church in the Julington Creek area will not hold a pumpkin patch in 2020. However, there will be a food drive taking place the weekend before Halloween. For details, call 904-230-2955 or visit www.rolumc.com.
- Our Lady of Good Counsel – There will be no pumpkin patch in 2020 at Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Fall Festivals & Events
Image via St. Augustine Alligator Farm
CROCtoberfest – Brew at the Zoo
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
October 3, 6pm-9pm
Celebrate the 3rd Annual CROCtoberfest at the Alligator farm! Participants will enjoy roaming the zoo at night while sampling beer from some amazing local breweries. Participation from multiple local eateries and conservation organizations will make this event another unforgettable experience. This event is strictly 21 and older with no children (including infants or toddlers) allowed. A portion of the events proceeds will go to support the identification of African crocodilian species. Grab your mask and some friends and head on over for some brew at the zoo.
Sykes Family Farm Crop Maze
Sykes Family Farm
October 3 – 25, Weekends
During the weekends of October, families can enjoy a 9-acre corn maze along with many other great fall season fun. Travel through the fields on hayrides or walk through their beautiful sunflower patch. You can visit with animals and even learn how to milk a cow. If you’re looking to get into the spirit of the season, there is no better place than these a-mazing 9-acres of confusion and fun. You can explore any of the four phases of the maze – whether you’re up for a challenge, directionally deficient, or simply want to let the little ones lead. It is great for people of all ages. The maze is open Friday – Sunday. General admission is $13. Children 2 and under are free, and tickets for military and senior citizens are $11.
2020 Greek Festival To Go
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
October 9-10
Immerse yourself in Greek culture and heritage through your taste buds. The 23rd Annual Greek Festival will look a little different this year, but you can still enjoy mouth-watering Greek food available for online ordering and contactless pickup. The event organizers want to ensure that festival lovers stay safe and healthy, which means that the physical festival cannot be celebrated as usual. However, a mouth-watering array of authentic Greek food will be available to be pre-ordered online and picked up at the church. A menu of combination platters, a la carte dishes, full dinners, grilled favorites and Greek classics including moussaka, dolmades, souvlaki, spanakopita, pastitsio, baklava, and much more will be available.
www.staugustinegreekfestival.com
Spooktacular Halloween Kids Event
Elite Smiles Dentistry
October 10, 11am-2pm
It is never too early to start celebrating Halloween and this is a great way to get into the spirit with the kiddos. Jacksonville Business Connections will host their annual Spooktacular Halloween Kids Event on Saturday, October 10, 2020, but this year the event will be outdoors and socially distanced. The free event will take place outside Elite Smiles Dentistry at World Golf Village. Bring your little ones for some spooktacular Halloween fun. The party will feature plenty of food and activities for kids, including candy bags for trick or treaters. Everyone is invited to come in costume.
www.jacksonvillebusinessconnections.com
Pumpkin Decorating Event
Ready Set Play St. Augustine
October 16, 2:30pm
Bring your pumpkins in and decorate with Ready Set Play. They will have stickers, markers, and fall themed craft items for the kids to decorate their pumpkins for Halloween. Make them scary or funny! After decorating, kids can enjoy an hour and a half of play time on their premier indoor playground for children crawling up to 49″. Parents can enjoy a comfortable place to work and socialize with other adults. Don’t miss this fun filled Halloween event.
www.facebook.com/ReadySetPlay904
Image via Ancient City Brewing
Boos and Brews – 5K Race or 1 Mile Fun Run
Ancient City Brewing Company
October 17, 5pm
Florida Race Day, Run4Beer and Ancient City Brewing are teaming up for Ancient City Brewing Company’s Boos and Brews 5K Race. In order to follow local social distancing guidelines, the race will have wave starts with 25 people leaving every minute. Participants are encouraged to wear masks before and after the race. Run by yourself or make it even more fun by getting a race team together. Participants (ages 21+) will get a free after race beer, compliments of Ancient City Brewing. There will also be swag giveaways from Florida Race Day and Run4Beer. Celebrate crossing the finish line at their after party with live music and food trucks at the brewery.
Image via Coconut Barrel
Fall Fest
Coconut Barrel
October 22, 5pm
Coconut barrel has over 200 storefronts that make up “The Artisan Market”. Stop by to experience each of their styles, personalities, and passions – from trinkets to treasures, home decor and more. With beverages on to tap, enjoy live music and pumpkin painting as you shop their farmers market and indoor and outdoor market vendors. When you work up an appetite, have some dinner at one of the food trucks that will be onsite.
Image via St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Creatures of the Night
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
October 23-25, 5:30pm – 8pm
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is bringing back their Creatures of the Night event for its 15th year. They will be hosting a weekend of festivities leading up to Halloween where families can enjoy trick-or-treating around the zoo. This event offers a fun and unusual way for both kids and adults to enjoy Halloween this season. Enjoy an 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. To account for social distancing, a timed pre-purchased ticket is required for entry. Admission is $8 for children, and $10 for adults.
Halloween Mayhem
St. Augustine Shores
October 30 and 31, 6:30pm-10pm
This year, the St. Augustine Swashbucklers Pirate Crew is resurrecting Capt William Mayhem’s Big Yard Haunt for families – a haunted yard complete with a cemetery, witches, mermaids, treasures and more. Capt William Mayhem, the pirate magician of St. Augustine, will even create a vanishing illusion as his trick for your treat. Admission is free but donations of canned food for local food banks or pet food for local pet shelters are encouraged. For more information email [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thestaugustineswashbucklers
Image via Ancient City Privateers
2020 Annual Black Beard’s Ball
The Cafe Alcazar
November 6, 7pm-11pm
Calling all pirates! The 2020 annual Black Beard’s Ball will be presented in Saint Augustine at the Cafe Alcazar in the Lightner Muesum on Friday, November 6th. Ball admission tickets are for sale for $50 per person plus Eventbrite fees. The event will feature light appetizers, a cash bar and great entertainment. Open seating will be available downstairs near the dance floor. Krewes can buy tables for seating and decorating at $125 per table, with each table sitting 8 people. Please email [email protected] for details on purchasing tables. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to Pie In The Sky Community Alliance of Saint Johns County.
Nights of Lights
Downtown St. Augustine
November 14 – January 31
The 27th Annual Nights of Lights will dazzle the city as some three million lights adorn every corner of the historic district for two months. Although there won’t be any grand “light up the night” launch event this year to flip the switch on the Nights of Lights, we will gain an extra week of holiday spirit as the lights will turn on one week earlier this year on November 14. Thankfully, Covid can’t take down the best holiday lights display in Florida. In 2020, the Nights of Lights will serve as a great way to enjoy the last weeks of fall as we gear up and head into the winter months.
www.visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights
ANNUAL FESTIVALS CANCELLED OR POSTPONED FOR 2020
- Creekside Music & Arts Festival – Due to COVID-19, the 16th Annual Creekside Music & Arts Festival held at Princess Place Preserve in Palm Coast has been postponed to April 2021.
- Datil Pepper Fall Festival – Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, the Datil Pepper Festival has been postponed to October 2021.
- Songwriters Festival – The St. Augustine Songwriters Festival has been postponed to October 22-24, 2021.
