Upcoming Special Events

Permitted Special Events

The following events have received special event permits through the City of Fernandina Beach. The City of Fernandina Beach is not managing these events. If you have any questions pertaining to a listed event, please call Alisha Brown at the Parks & Recreation Department at (904) 310-3366.
  
 If you are interested in hosting your own event, information can be found here: Special Events

Spring Into Action Small Business Fair 
March 25, 2023
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Peck Center Gymnasium 
Meet the community’s newest local small business owners who have successfully completed the $1,000 Start-Ups Program! Browse and shop their latest products, art, and services, along with those of other local small businesses. Food, live music, raffles, and great shopping. We will also celebrate the graduation of the 2022 Cohort.

SPRNG FLNG WHEELED THNG
March 25, 2023
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Main Beach Skate Park
A skateboarding competition held by Friends of Fernandina Skate Park for kids of all ages and levels. Live music, food trucks and fun for all. Visit the link below for more information. 
Organizations Website

Community Easter Celebration
April 1, 2023
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
N. 6th Street (between Centre Street and Alachua Street)
Memorial United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church are hosting their annual CommUNITY Easter Celebration.  This event is open to the whole community and is free for all.  We will have food, bounce houses, Easter Egg Hunts, picture with the Easter Bunny and more!  We are open 10:00am-1:00pm on April 1, 2023.

Spring Festival
April 1, 2023
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
N. 4th Street - in front of the Library
This a free family event featuring music, crafts, touch-a-truck, an instrument petting zoo and other activities.  Local, state, and federal organizations will be onsite providing information and recourses.  This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library.

Pirates on the Run 5K
April 1, 2023
Race begins at 7:30 am
Atlantic Avenue Recreation center Parking Lot
The Pirates on the Run 5K is a great opportunity for runners and walkers to race in beautiful Fernandina Beach, FL. Our excellent 5K route should challenge everyone. Proceeds benefit the charitable outreach of Amelia Island Runners, including support of Fernandina Beach High School Athletics.
Registration Site

Sounds on Centre
April 7, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Tour De Forts Classic
April 16, 2023
5:00 am - 5:00 pm
Atlantic Recreation Center
The North Florida Bicycle Club brings you a one-day bicycle event designed for all road cyclists, the 33rd Annual Tour De Forts Classic. For more information, please visit the link below.
Organization's Website

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival Parade
May 4, 2023
6:00 pm
Parade begins at Central Park 
This annual parade, held on Thursday evening, ushers in the Shrimp Festival event.  This is a fun, entertaining, family friendly event that showcases local businesses, schools, and organizations' community spirit.  For more information about participating in this annual parade, please visit the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival website.
Parade Information

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival 
May 5-7, 2023
Various Times
Centre Street - Historic Downtown Fernandina 
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is an annual event featuring activities for the entire family.  There is live music entertainment, food prepared by local non-profit organizations, fine arts and crafts, a kid zone and PIRATES!!  
Website

Sounds on Centre
May 5, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

26th Annual Shrimp Fest 5k
May 6, 2023
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Main Beach Park
This annual run/walk will be held at the conclusion of Shrimp Festival Weekend. There will be registration on May 5, 2023 from 7 am to 8 am with the run taking place on May 6, 2023. For more information, please visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Registration Site

Sounds on Centre
June 2, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Fernandina Beach Pride Festival and Parade 
June 10, 2023
Parade- 10:00 am - 11:00 am; Festival- 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Central Park 
Annual Pride Parade and Festival held at Central Park with food, fun and family-friendly events, live music, vendors, merchants and a parade down Centre Street. For more information, please visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Juneteenth Gala 
June 16, 2023
6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium
The Juneteenth celebration weekend will have two events this year. 4 The Culture Nassau will be hosting a night of elegance with their formal gala to honor the past, embrace the present and celebrate the future at the Atlantic Recreation Auditorium with dinner and cocktails. For more information on this event, please contact Tiffany Harris at harristiffany1986@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page 04theculture.  

Juneteenth Jumpoff 
June 17, 2023
12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Peck Field
Juneteenth Jumpoff is a family oriented celebration that encourages unity and respect for all cultures. There will be activities for children, family tents, and even a dance contest! Food and market vendors will be available as well. What exactly is Juneteenth? It is a celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. For more information on this event, please contact Tiffany Harris at harristiffany1986@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page 04theculture. 

Sounds on Centre
July 7, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Sounds on Centre
August 4, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Quarterback Club Reverse Raffle and Auction
August 5, 2023
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium
The Reverse Raffle and Auction is a ticketed event to raise money to support our local Pirate Football. In the past, proceeds have been utilized to purchase new helmets, pads, training equipment, specialty camps/training camps for coaches and players. All proceeds benefit the players and coaches of Pirate Football. For more information, contact Wendi Kidd at wendigalekidd@gmail.com. 

8th Annual Terry Kelly Skate Jam
August 26, 2023
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Main Beach Skate Park
8th Annual Terry Kelly Skate Jam honor's Terry Kelly, who came to the inaugural "Back to School Skate Jam" to see his son compete, but suffered a life-ending heart attack, never getting to see his son at competition. We honor parent's who watch their children compete in this sport they love. For more information, visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Sounds on Centre
September 1, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Sounds on Centre
October 6, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Centre Street
Annual concert series event, free to the community. All ages are welcome as this is a family friendly event. For more information, including participating musicians, please contact Chuck Hall at banjoman150@mgail.com

Island Hop Craft Beer Festival
October 7, 2023
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Central Park
The 3rd annual Island Hop Craft Beer Fest will take place on October 7, 2023. Taste beers from 20-30 craft breweries of Northeast Florida including First Love, Mocama, Amelia Tavern and more. Family friendly event, but must be 21+ to taste. Live music, arts and crafts booths and merchandise for sale with all proceeds to benefit Fernandina Beach Main Street. Visit the link below for more information. 
Organizations Website

ZOOMA Half Marathon
October 14-15, 2023
Main Beach Park
ZOOMA is a women's race series that features a half marathon run, a 12k and a 5k.  This is a two day running event that features courses in historic Fernandina Beach, the oldest lighthouse in Florida, and shady Fort Clinch.  Other activities include sunrise yoga and a post race party.  For more information or to register, go to the organizers event website.
Registration Site

Hispanic Heritage Food Festival
October 14, 2023
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
South 3rd Street, Historic District
The 2nd Annual Fernandina Beach Hispanic Heritage Food Festival will be honoring the diverse Hispanic Culture in the Nassau County area. Through the taste of food from over 8 different countries, experience all the Hispanic Community has to offer in the culinary world. There will also be vendors and live music. This is a family-friendly event. For more information please visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Pasta 4 Paws
October 21, 2023
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium
This is an annual event held to benefit the Nassau Humane Society. There will be a silent auction and of course, delicious pasta dinner. For more information, please visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

8 Flags Car Show
October 21, 2023
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Centre Street, Historic District
The 27th Annual car show consisting of everything from restored antiques to modern era limited edition Corvettes. Entrants travel great distances to participate. Besides Florida, Georgia and North/South Carolina, we've had participants from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Tennessee. Judging takes place in several categories, including getting the spectators involved in selecting the People's Choice award. For more information please visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Right Whale Festival
November 4-5, 2023
10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Main Beach Park
The Right Whale Festival celebrates the annual return of endangered North Atlantic Right Whales to the warm coastal water off northeast Florida and Georgia, where they give birth to and nurse their young. With less than 350 remaining, this family-fun event raises awareness of the threats to right whales and how we can help in their recovery. The festival highlights local efforts to protect these whales from extinction, as well as ocean-themed activities and exhibits that emphasize education and environmentally responsible adventures and products. Free admission to the public. All ages welcome! For more information, visit the link below. 
Organizations Website

Lighted Christmas Parade
December 2, 2023
Parade begins in Central Park
6:00 pm
Come enjoy the magic of the holiday season at this annual event.  The parade will consist of lighted floats, dancers, and more.  The parade is organized by America's Youth, Inc.  if you are interested in participating, please contact John Gilbert at (904)  624-5383 or americasyouthin@comcast.net.  

Dickens on Centre Illuminated Procession
December 7, 2023
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Centre Street 
Gather with something that glows or twinkles and take a stroll through Fernandina's historic district for an evening of music, food, and aerial drone light show!

Dickens on Centre Holiday Festival 
December 8-10, 2023
Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach Travel back in time during the ninth annual Dickens on Centre festival in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida, on beautiful Amelia Island. Free to the public, this Victorian holiday festival is sure to enliven your Christmas spirit. Throughout the weekend, feel the spirit of the holiday with Victorian-inspired entertainment on two stages, family fun in Tiny Tim's Kids Zone including visits with St. Nick, holiday shopping, festive food and drink, costumed characters, holiday movies and plenty of Christmas inspiration. This Christmas, Come Make Memories. Event website

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
January 15, 2024
Parade begins at the Peck Center, 516 S. 10th Street
12:00 pm
This annual parade honors the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This is a family friendly community event.  All are welcome to attend or participate.  This parade begins at the Peck Center, 516 S. 10th Street, travels north on 11th Street, then connects to the traditional parade route on Ash Street.  The parade concludes at the MLK, Jr. Center, 1200 Elm Street.  For more information, please contact Wayne Peterson at 904-753-1663.  This parade is organized by the Elm Street Sportsman Association.