This Weekend in St. Augustine: Events & Things to Do

1. Nights of Lights

Dates: through January 31, 2023

St. Augustine glows with holiday magic in one of the best holiday lighting displays in the world. Night of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the nation's oldest city. Enjoy every evening beginning at dusk.

2. St. Augustine Through the Lens of William Henry Jackson at Lightner Museum

Dates: through February 28, 2023

In the decades following the Civil War, the photographer William Henry Jackson (1843-1942) played a major role in shaping public perception of the American landscape. In the 1890s, Jackson was commissioned by Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad to produce a set of images to promote St. Augustine as a tourist destination. Today, Jackson’s photographs remain a remarkable record of turn-of-the-century life in this historic city, offering a striking portrait of Gilded Age St. Augustine.

3. 43rd Annual Matanzas 5K & Fun Run

Date: January 28, 2023

This race takes participants throughout downtown St. Augustine along the Matanzas River through the historic city and ends at Castillo Drive. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. and the free fun run begins at 9:15 a.m. The cost to register ranges from $30-$35. The race starts next to Francis Field.

4. St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers' Market

Date: January 28, 2023

From 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday morning, shoppers stroll up and down the vendor-lined pathways of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market, browsing more than 100 tents loaded with local produce, flowers, baked goods, handmade arts and crafts and more. Admission into the market is free.

5. Poetry Flows from The Waterworks: The New Year is Here

Date: January 29, 2023

The St. Johns Cultural Council and St. Augustine PoetFest present “A Poetic Celebration of the New Year.” Poets and poetry fans with gather from 3-4:30 p.m. at The Waterworks Poets of all skill levels are given an opportunity to share their poems with a loving and supportive audience. Readers are invited to present poems that relate to reflection of the old year, and resolutions for the new year that is here. The theme is meant as a writing prompt and it is your choice if you want to follow the theme or not. Give two or three of your polished poems or share fresh ink from your notebook.

6. Flight to Freedom Historical Reenactment

Dates: February 2-4, 2023

The Vilano Beach Market Walk takes place from 4-8 p.m. along the sidewalks near the Vilano Beach Pier. Local artisan-made items, plants, home décor, datil pepper sauces, and much more. Free parking and admission.

Flight to Freedom tells the story of the journey of freedom seekers beginning from 1687 through 1763. Learn about Spanish, African and Native American food traditions and culture from guest speakers and demonstrators. Musket and cannon demonstrations by the Fort Mose militia. There will be tours and military and culinary demonstrations from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Event admission is free.

7. Words and Music: Britton Henry & The Oyster Bed Outlaws

Date: February 2, 2023

Presented by EMMA Concert Series, Words and Music is an exploration of cultural connections through song, story and dance, suitable for the entire family. Join Britt Corry, Stephen Carpenter, Mike Elliot and Pete Arnold, AKA Britton Henry and the Oyster Bed Outlaws as they entertain you with some of Johnny Cash’s most memorable hits through the years along with commentary on what was certainly a notable American life.

8. First Friday Art Walk

Date: February 3, 2023

Join Art Galleries of St. Augustine the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. for new exhibits, refreshments and live music at many participating galleries. For easy mobility downtown, patrons and visitors can enjoy the complimentary shuttle service that runs from 6-9 p.m. provided by Old Town Trolleys. To use this service, shuttle stickers may be picked up at any participating AGOSA gallery. Shuttles can be boarded at any of the following stops: in front of Butterfield Garage and ArtBox, the Lightner Museum, Aviles Street, as well as in front of Bold Art Gallery near Hypolita Street.*

9. Drum Runner Series Barrel Racing

Date: February 4, 2022

Saddle up and head over to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds for monthly barrel, pole and other timed speed horse events at 1 p.m. Admission is free for spectators.

10. The Woman Behind Frederick Douglass: Anna Murray Douglass

Date: February 9-14, 2023

The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center (LLMC) and the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine invite you to celebrate African American history in St. Augustine. Enjoy a week of interactive, educational, social, and fun activities to remember Anna Murray Douglass, wife of Fredrick Douglass, at the Cultural Center and at the historic Peña-Peck House. The week will culminate with a celebration of Fredrick Douglass’s birthday on the 14th and a commemoration of St. Augustine’s many great thinkers and historic moments that helped shape history as we know it.

11. Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Presents Mavis Staples

Date: February 10, 2023

Mavis Staples performs live at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on February 10. Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$92.

10. Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Presents Christian McBride's New Jawn

Date: February 11, 2023

Christian McBride's New Jawn performs live at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on February 11. Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$92.

11. Shaun Martin Trio Performs at Café Eleven

Date: February 13, 2023

Don't miss the Shaun Martin Trio performing at 8 p.m. at The Original Café Eleven. Tickets are $25 advance / $30 day of show. 501 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach.

12. Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Presents Valerie June

Date: February 16, 2023

Valerie June performs live at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on February 16. Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$92.

13. School of the 16th Century

Dates : February 16 & 17, 2023

Learn what it was like to live in the 16th century through multiple interactive classes held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Oldest House Museum hosted by the Historic Florida Militia. Learn how to fire a crossbow or musket and find out about the clothing and cooking from that time period. Regular admission applies.

14. Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Presents Gladys Knight

Date: February 17, 2023

Gladys Knight performs live at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on February 17. Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$92.

15. St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival

Dates: February 18 & 19, 2023

Visit this festival featuring handmade items such as ceramics, stained glass, photography, soaps and more at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

16. Resilience Family Fest

Date: February 18, 2023

Celebrate Black History Month at the 2nd annual Resilience Family Fest. The event features dance and musical performances, food trucks, historical reenactments, pop-up exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and much more. Hours are from noon-4 p.m. and admission is free.

17. Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Presents Rhiannon Giddens

Date: February 18, 2023

Rhiannon Giddens performs live at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on February 18. Gates open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$92.

18. Vilano Beach Artisan Market Walk

Date: February 18, 2023

The Vilano Beach Market Walk takes place from 4-8 p.m. along the sidewalks near the Vilano Beach Pier. Local artisan-made items, plants, home décor, datil pepper sauces, and much more. Free parking and admission.

For more upcoming events in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra, check out our events calendar.