Florida’s Historic Coast unveils diverse program of spring festivals and events

With a history spanning five centuries, Florida’s Historic Coast proudly recognizes the people who have contributed to its rich cultural fabric with an array of spring festivals, from food to art, architecture and more.

The Menorcan Heritage Celebration, held on four dates in March, honors the proud Minorcans who traveled to the New World and settled in St. Augustine in 1777. On March 7, David Nolan, bestselling author of “The Houses of St. Augustine,” presents The Minorcan Experience, an exploration of the architectural legacy of St. Augustine’s Minorcan community. The Celebration, hosted by the Menorcan Cultural Society on March 14, features traditional Menorcan fare, including clam chowder, pilau, and datil products. A special tour of the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum takes place on March 21, while guests can enjoy a special tour of the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse on March 28.

Named one of the United States’ top cultural festivals two years running, the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival is celebrating 15 years of honoring Celtic culture. Held at Francis Field in Historic Downtown St. Augustine on March 14-15, the festival kicks off with the world’s oldest St. Patrick Parade, featuring special guests the New York City Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the Parkview Lassies. Attendees can enjoy popular international Celtic bands, cultural seminars, traditional Scottish Highland Games, a Whiskey Tasting, vendors, food, a kid’s zone, and more.

The St. Ambrose Spring Fair is an Elkton tradition now in its 143rd year. Held on Sunday, March 15, at the Historic St. Ambrose Catholic Church, the fair features kids’ games, live music, vendors, a community garage sale, a bake sale, and a country store.

The Slow Food First Coast Tour de Farm on April 12 celebrates the farmers and producers of Florida’s Historic Coast. Guests can purchase a Tour Car Pass and explore Wilson Family Farms, The Feed Mill, Parker Produce, and Parker Flower Farms, all located in Elkton off C.R. 214. Activities include meeting the farmers, produce tastings, and exclusive shopping opportunities. Potatoes, peppers, snapbeans, flowers, and more should be in season during the experience.

Hastings, the agricultural epicenter of Florida’s Historic Coast, celebrates its farming history at the Third Annual Cabbage, Potato, and Bacon Festival on April 25-26. The festival’s Brunch Tasting, Great Hastings Mow Down, Miss Potato Queen Beauty Pageant, Cottage Artisan Market, and live music stage join the Hastings Potato Ball, a historic event brought back for 2026. The Potato Ball features an elegant, seated dinner crafted by Chefs Matt Brown of Asado Life and Barry Honan of Lotus Noodle Bar, who will present a menu that celebrates local flavors.

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, named “One of the Top 10 Food and Wine Festivals in Florida” by USA Today, returns May 6-9 and features four days of tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations, soirées, and dining experiences, including celebrity guest chefs, renowned winemakers, local chefs, artisan spirits, wine, and beer. New this year, the festival will kick off with The Saltworks Supper on May 6, presented by Garden & Gun Magazine and the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.

The St. Augustine History Festival explores every chapter of St. Augustine’s history over four days, May 6-10, through hands-on experiences, immersive tours, living history presentations, and captivating presentations. The festival comprises nearly 30 events, including Drake’s Raid Reenactment, historic discussions with scholars, and active archaeological sites, and is hosted at locations throughout St. Augustine, including Fort Matanzas National Monument, Fort Mose Historic State Park, and Villa Zorayda.

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