Every May, St. Augustine becomes more than a historic destination. It becomes a stage. Through the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, the nation’s oldest city opens its churches, galleries, theaters, courtyards, plazas, and performance spaces to a sweeping celebration of local culture. Musicians, dancers, actors, writers, storytellers, visual artists, chefs, and community organizations come together for a multi-day showcase that reflects the creative soul of St. Augustine. Most events are free, making Romanza one of the city’s most accessible and wide-ranging cultural celebrations.
The 2026 Romanza Festivale continues that tradition with performances and programs that move from intimate chamber music to outdoor soul, from improv comedy to barbershop harmony, from classical guitar to brass and organ. One evening might bring audiences into the St. Augustine Waterworks for a flute choir performing music from film and television. The next day, guests may find themselves in the chapel of Memorial Presbyterian Church listening to classical guitarists, then later inside First Congregation Sons of Israel for a cross-cultural concert inspired by American music, Latin rhythms, and Brazilian influences.
At the center of it all is the idea that St. Augustine’s cultural life is not housed in one place. It lives everywhere: in historic churches, neighborhood arts spaces, downtown plazas, community theaters, and the gathering places where residents and visitors meet.
The 2026 lineup also reflects the festival’s ability to mix disciplines. There are traditional concerts, yes, but also a wine-and-cheese author talk, an Italian-themed afternoon of art, wine, food, and opera, and an audience-driven improv experience that changes every night it is performed.
The Performances and Events
Romanza Festivale: The Elite First Coast Flute Choir
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
St. Augustine Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave.
The Elite First Coast Flute Choir opens this portion of the festival with a free concert centered on music from film and television. The program includes iconic screen music arranged for flute choir, along with Julie Stone’s original piece “Popcorn,” composed using Morse code rhythms for the letters in the word “popcorn.” In keeping with the theme, popcorn will be served. The ensemble features the full flute family, including piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, and contrabass flute.
Romanza Festivale: Classical Guitarists
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Memorial Presbyterian Church Chapel, 32 Sevilla St.
Classical guitarists Benjamin Brown and Robert Kennedy perform as part of Romanza’s Chamber Music Series. Both are students of Dr. Silviu Ciulei, a classical and flamenco guitarist and professor of guitar studies at the University of Florida. Their program includes solos and duets, moving between traditional, historic, and contemporary works with emotional depth and technical precision. Admission is free.
Romanza Festival: ZaZa Flamenca — “America Without Borders”
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
First Congregation Sons of Israel, 161 Cordova St.
Singer, composer, actress, and musician ZaZa Flamenca performs with guitarist Gabriel Hermida in a free concert that reimagines American classics through Latin rhythms and global influences. ZaZa, whose roots are in France and Israel, sings in multiple languages and draws from Gypsy jazz, French music, flamenco, jazz, and Latin styles. The program celebrates America’s 250th with familiar songs transformed into a cross-cultural musical experience.
Romanza: Shelly Marsh, Author—Wine and Cheese Event
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Voorhees Mission House at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St.
Author Shelly Marsh joins Romanza for a free wine-and-cheese gathering centered on her cozy mysteries set in Northeast Florida. Marsh’s debut novel, Dying to Live Here, launches a series involving best friends, an HOA, an estate sale, and a mystery that must be solved before one friend lands in jail. The event offers a relaxed literary afternoon with conversation about inspiration, research, and local storytelling.
Romanza Festivale: Mama Blue in the Plaza
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Plaza de la Constitución, 170 St. George St.
Beloved regional performer Mama Blue brings her powerful voice and North Florida roots to a free outdoor concert in the Plaza. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and settle in as the sun sets. A Jacksonville native, Mama Blue is known for inspirational original songs and music shaped by soul, blues, gospel, and the influence of artists such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Nina Simone, Queen, and the Rolling Stones.
Romanza Festivale: Singer Joe Colsant and Pianist Michael Giuliani
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Memorial Presbyterian Church Chapel, 32 Sevilla St.
Bass-baritone Joe Colsant, accompanied by pianist Michael Giuliani, presents “Ring of Fire,” a free Chamber Music Series concert built around works with “fire” in the title. The program ranges from Wagner and Handel to Vaughan Williams and Johnny Cash. Colsant is a St. Augustine resident and music director at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Jacksonville; Giuliani is music director and organist at Trinity Parish Church in St. Augustine.
Romanza Festivale: The Echo Piano Duo
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Grace United Methodist Church, 8 Carrera St.
Dr. Mimi Zhang and Dr. David Mach, known as The Echo Piano Duo, perform “Storms and Flames,” a free concert featuring two pianos and a program where fire battles water. The duo formed while both pianists were earning doctorates at the University of Oklahoma and has since earned recognition in two-piano competitions. Now based in St. Augustine, they are also founders of the St. Augustine Piano Academy.
Romanza: St. Augustine Orchestra Spring Concert — “Broadway Blockbusters”
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
St. Augustine High School Auditorium, 3205 Varella Ave.
The St. Augustine Orchestra closes its season with “Broadway Blockbusters,” a ticketed concert featuring favorite songs from beloved musicals such as Cats, Chicago, The Lion King, My Fair Lady, and Hamilton. The orchestra includes more than 50 volunteer members and is known for community performances, music education, and featuring talented young musicians. Tickets are listed at $30 for adults, with student and child pricing available.
Romanza Festivale: A Taste of Italy
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Art Box Gallery and Studios, 137 King St.
“A Taste of Italy” invites guests to slow down and enjoy Italian flavors, wine, art, and live music. Presented at Art Box Gallery and Studios in partnership with Hillary’s Chicago Pizza, the afternoon includes artisanal appetizers, curated wines, visual art in several media, and classical music and opera performed by Michael Francis Sabja. Admission is ticketed.
Romanza Festivale: The Gainesville Brass Quintet with Thomas Rodgers, Organist
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Parish, 215 St. George St.
A festival favorite returns as the Gainesville Brass Quintet performs with organist Thomas Rodgers. Founded in 1985, the quintet has performed for ceremonies, patriotic celebrations, weddings, church services, educational concerts, and public programs. The 2026 Romanza performance promises a powerful brass-and-organ celebration inside Trinity Episcopal Parish. Admission is free.
Romanza Festivale: Unscripted
Saturdays, May 2, 9, and 16, 2026 | 8:00 p.m.
Third Space Improv, 200 Malaga St., #7
Third Space Improv returns with “Unscripted,” an audience-driven comedy experience where suggestions from the crowd inspire games, scenes, and even a made-up-on-the-spot one-act play. Because the show is improvised, every performance is unique: it has never happened before and will never happen the same way again. Tickets are listed at $17 in advance and $20 at the door.
Romanza: The San Marco Chamber Music Society
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 215 St. George St.
The San Marco Chamber Music Society performs a free concert featuring a woodwind and string sextet. Founded in 2008 by Jacksonville Symphony members Eric and Ellen Olson, the society presents free concerts throughout Northeast Florida and has performed internationally, including tours in Germany and Italy.
Romanza Festivale: Big Orange Chorus
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St.
The Big Orange Chorus brings the festival to a joyful close with a free concert of barbershop harmonies and contemporary a cappella music. Directed by Daniel Pesante, the Jacksonville-based chorus performs Americana favorites, love songs, and lively four-part harmonies. The group is part of the Barbershop Harmony Society and welcomes both men and women.
