10/22/2024
Great list of fun fall activities to check out while you’re here!
🎃HALLOWEEN & FALL EVENTS in St. Augustine & St. Johns County, Florida:
👻The Night Watchman 4D Ghost Tour
Daily: See America Tours offers The Night Watchman Ghost Tour, a walking tour in historic St. Augustine, Florida. The 4D Ghost Tour includes historically themed storytellers, diffraction glasses, sound effects and a souvenir sticker. Tours begin at 8 p.m. nightly. Learn more and get tickets at seeamericatours.net
🎃Dark of the Moon Ghost Experience at the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Every Friday-Sunday and October 31: All Ghosts No Gimmicks! During this one-and-a-half-hour experience, hear the history and ghost stories of the people who have lived, worked, and visited the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Then, with only a glow stick lighting the way, have the opportunity to explore the haunted grounds and Lightkeepers’ House in the darkness. This is one of the only tours where guests can climb the lighthouse at night. Tickets & Details: staugustinelighthouse.org and click on Tickets
👻The Beetlejuice Pub Crawl with The Tasting Tours
October 20-November 2: Calling all Beetlejuice fans! Brace yourselves for a spine-tingling cocktail adventure like no other. Get ready to raise your spirits, dance with the dearly departed, and toast to the afterlife. TICKETS: thetastingtours.com
🎃Bright Star at Limelight Theatre
October 17-20: Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Bright Star travels between the years of 1923 and 1945 to tell the story of Alice Murphy, a literary editor with a hidden past, and Billy Cane, a young soldier just home from World War II. Together they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives forever… Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Ave., in uptown St. Augustine. Call 904-825-1164or get tickets online at www.limelight-theatre.org
👻Mortality & Mourning Candlelight Tours at 226-year-old house
October 18-26: Mortality & Mourning Candlelight Tours return on Fridays and Saturdays, starting on September 27 and running until October 26. Join the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum by candlelight for a unique exploration of death and spiritualism practices from St. Augustine’s Second Spanish Colonial Era through its Victorian Era. This spooky, but family-friendly, tour guides visitors through the 226-year-old house museum in mourning, showcasing cultural practices and stories from Old St. Augustine. TICKETS: ximenezfatiohouse.org
🎃The Pumpkin Church in downtown St. Augustine
October 16-Until the pumpkins are gone: First United Methodist Church, 118 King St., offers pumpkins of all sizes, available this month in downtown St. Augustine. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Prices range from 50 cents to $35
👻Marineland Monster Mash 2
October 18-19 and October 25-26: Marineland Monster Mash 2 at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Tickets: https://marineland.net/monster-smash-halloween-at-marinelad/
This special Halloween event is ideal for ages 10+ and is rated PG. Please note that costumes are welcome, but a trick or treat trail is not included in this event.
🎃The Maze at Sykes Family Farms
October 18-27: Nine acres of a local farm becomes The Maze each October at Sykes Family Farm — with live music, the maze, games such as a corn cannon, live animals, pumpkin painting, kids activities and more, located at 5995 Brough Road in Elkton, just off State Road 207. The event includes a 9-acre maze, farm animals, hayrides, children’s play area, pumpkin patch, food vendors, artisans and fall fun. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday. Advance tickets are available at www.sycofarms.com
👻 The Pumpkin Patch at Shores United Methodist Church
October 12-31: The Pumpkin Patch Crew will be selling Pumpkins at St. Augustine Shores United Methodist Church located at 724 Shores Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32086. The pumpkins arrive on October 12 and will be available until October 31, 2024 (or until they sell out.) Hours are 2-6 p.m. on weekdays; 11 a.m. to 6p.m. Saturdays; and 12-6 p.m. Sundays.
🎃 St. Augustine Lighthouse celebrates 150 Years
October 16-18: The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is celebrating 150 years of providing a welcoming beacon of light for the historic port of St. Augustine and its beautiful coastline. The tower’s massive lens was first lit on October 15, 1874 and a special 150th birthday celebration will take place throughout the week with daily events. Throughout the year, new learning activities, community events and commemorative store merchandise will be featured at the Lighthouse and Museum. Stay updated at staugustinelighthouse.org
👻St. Benedict’s Blues Festival
October 18-20: St. Benedict’s Blues Festival takes place on the historic grounds of Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 86 MLK Avenue, in the Lincolnville area of downtown St. Augustine, Florida. Bring your own lawn chair and get ready for fun! Tickets & Details: http://stbensbluesfest.com/purchase-ticketsfood.html #/
FRIDAY, October 18
4- 6pm Ken Jensen Blues Ensemble
6-8pm Duffy Bishop Band
8-10pm JW Gilmore Blues Authority
SATURDAY, October 19
4-6pm Warehouse Blues
6-8pm Street Preacher
8-10pm Hitman Blues
SUNDAY, October 20
11AM Arla Mae Victory
11:30-12:30pm Americana Gospel
1-2:30pm Karina! (Karina Sax Music)
2:30pm Rick Spence Jazz Combo
🎃Creatures of the Night at St. Augustine Alligator Farm
October 18-20: Creatures of the Night at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. October 18-20. Meet eerie bugs and beasts, explore the park, and fill your bag with treats. More details at www.alligatorfarm.com
👻A Year with Frog and Toad
Apex Theatre Studio will present the family friendly A Year with Frog and Toad on October 18th, 19th, and 20th at the black box theatre at Apex Theatre Studio located at 425 West Town Place, unit 112 in St. Augustine, Florida.
Based on Arnold Lobel’s well-loved books, this whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. TICKETS: https://www.apextheatrejax.com/events/
🎃Sheriff Hardwick’s Haunted Jail – Alien Invasion
October 18-19, and October 25-26: St. Johns County Sheriff Hardwick’s Haunted House takes place from 6:30-10 p.m. October 18-19 and October 25-26 in the historic St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Jail Annex at 4025 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine. The indoor haunted house is NOT recommended for children under 10. PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY YOUTH UNDER AGE 16! The outdoor event for all ages will feature a movie screen, trunk or treat area, games, photo booths, face painting, nail decorating, shirts, hats, fun food and drinks, spooky themed patrol cars and mingling characters for all ages. Get tickets HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sheriff-hardwicks-haunted-jail-presents-alien-invasion-tickets-1010799999007
👻St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve First Anniversary Celebration
October 19-20: A one year anniversary celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20 at St. Johns Botanical Garden, 8310 County Road 13, in Hastings, Florida. On Saturday, enjoy bluegrass music with Brad Edwards on guitar from 1-3 p.m. On Sunday, see Mike Rossi’s Wild Wonders Animal Show from 1-2 p.m., and Palomino Blond will perform music from 2-4 p.m. Plein Air artists will be painting on the grounds throughout the weekend and other area vendors will be part of the event, including Jimmy’s BBQ and Mumbai Delights food trucks. Garden tours will take place throughout the day and visitors and welcome to wander the nature preserve on their own. The new Tiki Key, representing the Florida Keys, is now open! Learn more at stjohnsbotanicalgarden.org
🎃Halloween Bash Under the Sea at the St. Augustine Aquarium
October 19 and October 26: The Halloween Bash Under the Seas will take place from 5-8 p.m. October 19 and October 26 at the St. Augustine Aquarium, 2045 FL-16, St. Augustine. The event will feature Underwater Pumpkin Carving, Mermaids & Candy Chute, Halloween nature trail, cookie decorating, trick or treat stations, shark and ray feeding and other fun activities! Admission is $10 for age 12+; and $5 for children under 12. Call 904-429-9777 for reservations. Those who register and pay in advance will receive a free feeding activity!
👻Jail Break 5K
October 19: Old Town Trolley and Investing in Kids (INK) will host the annual Jail Break 5K run/walk on Saturday, October 19. Race start is 8 a.m. at the Old Jail Museum, 167 San Marco Blvd. in uptown St. Augustine, Florida. The event will feature T-shirts, medals and prizes. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Proceeds benefit students in the St. Johns County School District. REGISTER HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintAugustine/EscapeFromStAugustine
🎃Cracker Day
October 19: The St. Johns County Cattlemen’s Association will host the annual Cracker Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 19 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 S.R. 207, in Elkton. The event will feature pony rides, horse games, food trucks including barbecue, and a farmers market with 75+ area vendors. Cracker Day celebrates cracker horses and cracker cattle, which were brought to the area by the Spanish. “Cracker” also refers to a cowboy who uses a whip to round up cattle, which makes a cracking sound when used. Gates open at 6 a.m., and the event is from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5 per car at the gate. E-mail [email protected] for more details.
👻Vilano Vibe-Rations
October 19: Vilano Beach Main Street will host Vilano Vibe-Rations from 11-6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19 at Vilano Beachfront Park, 2725 Anahma Drive, St. Augustine, Florida — at the end of Vilano Road in Vilano Beach, next to the ocean. This music festival will feature local and regional musicians, food, vendors and good vibes. All proceeds will benefit the Vilano community. Find more details at vilanobeachfl.com
🎃 Shakespeare’s MacBeth with a Mean-Girl Twist
October 24-26: Apex Theatre Studio presents Erica Schmidt’s Mac Beth, a retelling of Shakespeare’s classic set amongst a group of schoolgirls performing the play as an after-school ritual that turns dark and bloody on October 24-26 in the black box theater at Apex Theatre Studio, located in World Golf Village. Originally produced by off-Broadway’s Red Bull Theatre company in 2019, Schmidt’s interpretation provides a fresh take on this tale of evil while keeping the original in text largely intact. The New York Times declared it “exuberant … an adaptation of the Shakespeare play that with its all-female cast becomes a raucous, sometimes impish, very dark-edged revel.” TICKETS: www.apextheatrejax.com/events
👻Halloween Bash by Dr. Hadgis, Orthodontist
October 25: The Dr. Craig Hadgis Annual Halloween Bash will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Ketterlinus Gym Community Center on Orange Street in downtown St. Augustine. Join Dr. Craig Hadgis & his team for a FUN filled evening full of prizes, music, food, costume costumes and dance contests! Winners of the costume contest will be announced at 8:30 p.m. This FREE event is open to the community.
🎃Trick-or-Treat and Harvest Festival at the Ximenez-Fatio House
October 26: The 4th annual Trick-or-Treat and Harvest Fest will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street, downtown St. Augustine. This must-attend community event features an afternoon of safe trick-or-treating fun, tours of our 225-year-old museum, contests, games, and fun for children of all ages. Costumes are not required but are heavily encouraged. All proceeds raised will go towards the preservation of our 2nd Spanish Period Coquina Museum. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
👻Ancient City Kids Day
October 26: The annual Ancient City Kids Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive, downtown St. Augustine. Coordinated by EPIC and brought to the community by a committee of children organizations, Ancient City Kids Day is a day of fun-filled activities for children and families. The event is FREE for the public, and will include over 40 youth service agencies offering carnival style games and activities, arts and crafts, contests for kids, and live entertainment all day. Information about community resources will be available for parents. There will be free t-shirts/goody bags for kids while they last. The only cost to the public will be for food or drinks. The event is a community outreach for Epic Behavioral Healthcare of St. Augustine. Visit epicbh.org
🎃Trick-or-Treating on Saint George Street
October 26: Trick-or-Treating will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at participating locations on Saint George Street in historic St. Augustine, Florida. This annual event is hosted by Ancient City Tours and the St. George Street Area Merchants. Children in costume are invited to trick or treat area businesses that have balloons or a welcome sign posted at the door. There will be a photographer at 12 St. George Street to capture the photos of all of the cute goblins, princes, princesses, and super heroes. Admission is free.
👻Peace in the Park & Bake Sale for Pie in the Sky
October 27: Join the annual Peace in the Park event and help create a giant human peace sign! A bake sale will be held to benefit Pie in the Sky, a nonprofit organizations that delivers food weekly to local senior citizens in St. Augustine and St. Johns County. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, October 27 at Eddie Vickers Park, 339 S Riberia St., in the Lincolnville are of downtown St. Augustine, Florida. The event will include live music, baked goods, community and a human peace sign that will be photographed by drone! More details about Pie in the Sky here: pieintheskystjohns.org
🎃 EMMA Concert Association 46th Season of Music & Dance
Live music, orchestras, quartets, quintets and symphony performances held in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College in downtown St. Augustine, Florida. All tickets include free parking at the St. Johns County Council on Aging, with complimentary shuttle to and from the venue. Details and tickets at emmaconcerts.com
✨October 27: Boston Brass at 2 p.m.
✨December 17: Gainesville Orchestra Holiday Pops at 7:30 p.m.
✨January 19: Czech Philharmonic at 2 p.m.
✨March 8: Swan Lake by Dance Alive National Ballet
✨April 26: Ocala Symphony Orchestra
👻Trunk or Treat at Shores United Methodist Church
October 31: Truck or Treat from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, October 31 at St. Augustine Shores United Methodist Church, 724 Shores Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida. Bring little ones in costume with their treat bags to collect candy from decorated cars in the parking lot of the church. Free admission.
