Easter on Florida’s Historic Coast Honors History, Tradition, & Faith

From Sunrise Services to Festive Egg hunts, Easter is a Cherished Tradition in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches

Contact: Barbara Golden
Phone: 904-669-8142
Email: BGolden@FloridasHistoricCoast.com

St. Augustine, Fla. (March 4, 2026) – When Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed in St. Augustine in September 1565, Father Francisco Lopez de Gajales celebrated the first recorded mass in what is now the United States mainland, establishing the nation’s oldest Catholic parish. Since then in the United States. Since then, Florida’s Historic Coast has marked Easter and other faith-based holidays with reverence, pageantry, and community celebrations.

The St. Augustine Easter Week Festival celebrates the city’s Spanish heritage through the authentic portrayal of the 17th century Spanish Royal Family - King Carlos II, Queen Marianna, and Princess Margarita Maria. On March 26, 2026 the organization will hold the St. Augustine Royal Family Transfer of Office, officially welcoming the new trio of reenactors who will serve for the coming year.

On Palm Sunday, March 29, The Cathedral Basilica will hold a Palm Sunday Mass, followed by a procession featuring clergy, the Royal Family, and their entourage to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina for the traditional Blessing of the Fleet. This centuries-old ceremony offers prayers for a safe and prosperous season for commercial and recreational fishing vessels.

Queen Marianna will also recognize distinguished community members during The Royal Knighting Ceremony on March 30.

Families can join Easter egg hunts throughout St. Johns County at St. Johns County Parks and Recreation will host events at Palencia Park and Treaty Park in St. Augustine on April 2, and at Veterans Park in St. Johns, and Al Wilke Park in Hastings on April 4. The Easter Bunny will make special appearances at select locations.

Continuing the festivities, the Easter Bunny will lead the 67^thAnnual Easter Parade on April 4. Featuring floats, horses, carriages, fire trucks, and community groups, the parade winds through historic downtown St. Augustine in a colorful display of local pride and tradition.

For those seeking sunrise worship, several beachfront and historic venues will offer Easter morning services, including:

Christ Church Among the Oaks at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ponte Vedra Beach)
Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church at Mickler’s Landing Beach
Crescent Beach Baptist Church at Crescent Beach
Seaside Church at Vilano Beach
St. Paul A.M.E. Church at St. Paul Park in Lincolnville
Memorial Presbyterian Church in its historic downtown courtyard

For a deeply reflective experience, visitors may attend Easter Sunday Mass at the outdoor Rustic Altar at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios—the site of the first recorded Catholic Mass in the United States on September 8, 1565. Numerous additional services will be held throughout the day across denominations and congregations.

Celebrate Easter on Florida’s Historic Coast—and stay to explore its rich heritage, coastal cuisine, and signature experiences. Plan your visit using the online trip planner and AI Assistant at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive, St. Augustine; 200 Solana Rd. Suite B, Ponte Vedra Beach; and at the St. Johns County Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For advance travel information, call 1-800-653-2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine; and Threads @floridashistoriccoast