Saint Augustine Events Calendar 2026

Saint Augustine's famous Nights of Lights holiday festival continues through January 31 — over 3 million white lights illuminate the entire Historic District every evening at dusk. Free admission. Hotels book out well in advance.

One of Florida's premier motorcycle rally destinations — thousands of bikes, live music on multiple stages, vendor markets, and custom bike shows throughout the Historic District. A twice-yearly event (spring and fall) that transforms the city's atmosphere entirely.

Annual commemoration of Saint Augustine's founding by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés on September 8, 1565 — though celebrated in spring with living history events, a Spanish landing re-enactment, music, and ceremonies at Castillo de San Marcos.

Saint Augustine's Independence Day fireworks launch over the Matanzas Bay — best viewed from the Bayfront, the Castillo grounds, or from one of the sunset cruise boats. Live music and food vendors line the waterfront throughout the day. One of the most atmospheric July 4th celebrations in Florida.

September 8, 1565 — the day Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded Saint Augustine, establishing the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental US. Annual commemoration with living history events, a mass at the Nombre de Dios Mission, and ceremonies at the Castillo.

The fall edition of Saint Augustine's premiere motorcycle event — thousands of bikes, custom shows, live music on multiple stages, and vendor markets throughout the Historic District. One of the city's biggest weekends of the year. Hotels book out months in advance.

October is Saint Augustine's most atmospheric month — ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, cemetery walks, paranormal investigations at historic sites, and the Ancient City Ghostfest all pack the calendar. The Original Ghost Tour adds extra departure times for the Halloween season.

One of the top holiday light festivals in the United States kicks off on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Over 3 million white lights transform Saint Augustine's entire Historic District every evening through January 31. Free to attend — but hotels sell out months in advance. Book immediately if visiting November through January.

December is the peak of Nights of Lights — the entire Historic District glows with 3 million white lights every evening. December weekends are the most popular nights of the year in Saint Augustine and hotels sell out months in advance. Boat tours, carriage rides, and ghost tours all operate in the magical illuminated setting.