Weekend Cannon Firing

Experience a little piece of history at the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort in downtown St. Augustine). On most Saturdays and Sundays, reenactors in period dress, and living historians, perform weapons demonstrations and fire the cannons at the Castillo.

See what it was like for the Spanish colonial settlers who used to live there. Under times of siege or other emergencies, all people in the settlement were ordered inside the fort for protection, and the cannons were aimed and fired if needed.

Park rangers and living historians give you a detailed history of the fort and its previous residents. Look for the marks and drawings that British and Spanish soldiers left on the soft coquina walls.

Admission: Admission to the Castillo is $15.00 per adult. Children 15 and younger are free if they are accompanied by an adult. Tickets are valid for seven consecutive days. The Golden Access and Age Passports, the Castillo Annual Pass, and the Interagency Access, Annual, Military, and Senior Passes are honored for free admission as explained on the terms specified on the card.

The cannon firing can be seen from outside the Castillo, although the description cannot be heard except by those standing near the gundeck.

When: Cannons are fired from the gundeck on most Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, weather and staffing permitting, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. The fort is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Where: Castillo de San Marcos located directly on the bayfront at 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Florida.

Parking is available in the parking lot in front of the Castillo and can be paid with credit and debit cards at the automated stations. Parking is also available along the street and in the parking garage about a block from the fort.