In search of something fun things to do with the kids in St. Augustine this summer season? We’ve compiled a list of upcoming events with children in mind along with a list of places worth checking out as a family.
Upcoming Events
Music by the Sea
- When: Throughout the summer
- Music by the Sea is an exciting event for visitors and a staple for locals. This free concert series is held each Wednesday during the summer season at the St. Johns County Pier Park in St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island. Enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean while listening to a different genre of music each week including jazz, blues, classic rock, pop, reggae, disco, and country. Bring your beach chair and get a good spot or just bring your dancing shoes.
Summer Movie Series TBA
- When: Throughout the summer
- This year the popular Movies by the Bay has a new location at Colonial Music Park. Ripley’s St. Augustine Attractions and the St. Augustine Colonial Quarter are teaming up to present free movies including Moana, The Jungle Book, and Finding Dory. Ripley’s Red Trains will again provide complimentary transportation from the parking garage stop and Ripley’s to the top of St. George Street for all moviegoers. Shuttle service begins at 7:30 p.m. and the trains will run every 15 minutes until 8:30 p.m. The shuttles will resume at the end of the movie. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. for all movies. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
Concerts in the Plaza
- When: Throughout the summer
Photo credit: City of St. Augustine
- Grab your lawn chairs or bring a blanket and come listen to some great music in a great place. Concerts in The Plaza is a summer-long music series that returns for its 27th season with free concerts every Thursday evening between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Each week features different entertainment. In 2017 performers will include: The Driftwoods, The Gatorbone Band, The Mike Hart Band, Rob Ellis Peck & Friends, Big Pineapple, Doug Carn & The Lincolnville Brass Band, Bob & Joline and the Friends of Mine Band, The Raisin Cake Orchestra, The Dunehoppers, The Session, The Grapes of Roth, Ancient City Slickers, The Gatorbone Band, and Lonesome Bert & The Skinny Lizards. The music lineup for 2018 hasn’t been announced yet, check back for details. See updates to the schedule here.
Summer Camps
- When: Throughout the summer
- Summer camps are a time-honored tradition. They’re are a great way for children to interact with others who share similar interests, explore their passions, and create lifelong memories. When the phrase ‘summer camp’ comes to mind, you might think of the traditional tents, lakes, and tie-dye. But the camps around St. Augustine span across every area of interest you could think of. Camps include St. Augustine Lighthouse Camp, St. Augustine Surf School, Florida Film Academy, Bo Clark’s Basketball Camp and more!
Music in the Park
- When: Throughout the summer
- Anastasia State Park is hosting a Music in the Park Summer Concert Series in partnership with Island Beach Grill. Come enjoy a beautiful evening at Anastasia State Park, delicious food and drink from Island Beach Grill, and a wide variety of music from the featured musicians. Each concert will begin with an open jam session from 5-6 p.m. Guests and local musicians will be welcomed to the stage to showcase their talents. Each month will feature a different local musician or band for a two-hour show at our beach pavilion. Concerts are from 6-8 p.m.
- Concerts are free with paid park admission. Island Beach Grill will be featuring food and drink specials during each concert. Park Admission:
$4/single-occupant vehicle
$8/vehicle with 2-8 occupants
$2/bicyclist
GTM Marineland Beach Exploration
- When: June 16
Photo credit: GTM Research Reserve
- Come join us for a Beach 101, free guided hike to learn from a GTM Research Reserve interpretive guide where the restless sand comes from and where it’s going in its refusal to just stay put. Ask why the sand is fine or coarse and how it got its color. Learn about coquina rocks, dune flowers, sea birds, shells and the humble gopher tortoise who digs deep burrows and comes out to dine on prickly pears along the dunes. Bring your camera for possible sightings.
- Meet at GTM Marineland Office. The reserve is located at the southern end of Marineland on A1A (9741 Ocean Shore Blvd.). To reserve a spot and for more information, call 904-823-4500. You can also visit the event website to reserve your spot.
Guided Exploration Hike
- When: The first Saturday of every month
Photo credit: GTM Research Reserve
- The first Saturday of every month, visitors can learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula, as well as the natural biodiversity of the reserve, during a guided exploration hike. Find out about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples used estuarine resources, what European plantation life was like, and current efforts to learn about and save these resources.Meet at the GTM Research Reserve’s Trailhead Pavilion located west of the Guana Dam. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.The event is free, but there is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. Please RSVP by clicking on the event website link or call 904-823-4500.
Be sure and check out the following family-friendly destinations:
Beaches: Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine Beach, Vilano Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Matanzas Inlet
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Colonial Quarter of St. Augustine
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Mini Golf: Anastasia Mini Golf, Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf
Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
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