Upcoming Special Events

ermitted 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 Kristen Lampedecchio at the Parks & Recreation Department at (904) 310-3363.
  
 If you are interested in hosting your own event, information can be found here: Special Events

Recovery Glow-Up Festival
September 23, 2023
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Central Park
September is National Recovery and Suicide Prevention month.  This event is to recognize those individuals in recovery for mental health and substance use disorders, as well as bring awareness and education to our community.  There will be food trucks, vendors, a kid zone, and music. This is a family friendly event. 

Amelia Island Tavern Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Parking lot behind Amelia Tavern
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Amelia Island Brewing Company. Enjoy a traditional German themed party complete with beer, food, live music, games, and fun. 

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

SMA Pickleball Tournament
October 13-15, 2023
Central Park Racquet Courts
The St. Michael Academy Annual Pickleball Tournament brings together the community for a weekend of fun, located at the Central Park Racquet Courts. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, 2023 will include adult beginner's session, kick-off party and advanced sections. Players can register online to play as a team and buddy up with a child to play mixed generation pickleball. This event benefits not only St. Michael Academy but also the community. Early bird registration opens in June. To register go to: Registration Site  

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

Graveside Chronicles: Stories of Life, Love, and Legacy
October 14, 2023
9:00am-5:00pm
Bosque Bello Cemetery 
The Amelia Island Genealogy Society and the Amelia Island Museum of History are excited to announce an interactive event called Graveyard Chronicles. The event will feature eight costumed First Person Presenters representing characters currently interred at the cemetery who contributed to the fabric of current day Fernandina Beach. Your guide will escort you to each gravesite where you will hear stories that reflect the joys, challenges, and sorrows of life on Amelia Island.
Organizations Website

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

Hofbrau Amelia's 3rd Street Oktoberfest 
October 21, 2023
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
S 3rd Street 
German themed street festival modeled after Munich's annual Oktoberfest. Food, drinks, games, and live music.

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

Amelia Island Open - International Petanque Tournament
November 10-12, 2023
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Downtown Marina, Parking Lots C & D
The Amelia Island Open - International Petanque Tournament is an annual tournament which brings players from around the world.  There will be tournament play, local food vendors, music, as well as a beer and wine tent.
Organization's Website

NARA Eastern Championships
November 10-12, 2023
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Main Beach Park
Eastern championships for the NARA dog training competition which includes obedience, agility, and protection exercises.
Organization's Website

Cross the Line Veterans Day Fun Run
November 11, 2023
Marina Parking Lot A (adjacent to Brett's)
6:00-11:30am
5K and 5 mile fun run. Event will start at the parking lot and run down Centre/Atlantic to the beach and back. 
Organizations Website

Black Friday PJ Party
November 24, 2023
Downtown Fernandina
4:00- 6:00 PM
Join the merchants of Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach for the Annual Downtown Fernandina Beach Pajama Party! Shop locally - downtown merchants will have special offers and treats while you shop. Pajama contest - Enter the PJ Contest at 11AM. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual, best group, and most creative PJs! Watch for Santa and his special guest on Centre Street! 2nd Street Block Party with family friendly activities and live music on 2nd St all day!

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. 

Taste of Amelia
February 3, 2024
Historic Downtown Fernandina- Pocket Park, Train Depot, various restaurants
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Taste of Amelia event showcases culinary treats from Fernandina Beach's finest restaurants. Journey through 25 different restaurants in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach for a great cause. 100% Of the proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Fernandina Beach's annual scholarship drive which has provided merit and needs based scholarships to Nassau County students for over 30 years. For more information, contact fbrotarypres@gmail.com.

Pledge the Pink
October 17-20, 2024
All over, home base: Main Beach
pledgethepink.com