Castillo by Candlelight: The Story of Fort Mose

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument hosts Castillo by Candlelight: The Mose Story. This evening event is produced in partnership with the Fort Mose Historical Society and the Florida Park Service. The guided tours begins at 6:30 and depart every 15 minutes. The last tour starts at 7:45 p.m.

Volunteers reenact the stories of Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free African-American settlement in the United States. Hear from Freedom Seekers making their way to Fort Mose, and interact with those they meet along their journeys — some want to help them to freedom, and others who want to return them to their owners in northern English colonies. Governor Montiano is portrayed, and you learn of his reasons for establishing the free African-American settlement and how Fort Mose played a vital role in turning the tide of the 1740 British siege on St. Augustine.

Explore the Castillo de San Marcos by candlelight at this after-dark event. The rangers, volunteers, and stewards for the Castillo de San Marcos will be in attendance to share their passion for the nation's oldest masonry fortification and the National Parks Service.

Programs last approximately 40 minutes and depart from the ticket booth every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Non-refundable tickets are available two weeks before the event at the Castillo de San Marcos box office or by telephone at (904) 829-6506 ext 233.

Admission: $15.00 for adults (ages 16 and older), $5.00 for children (ages 15 and younger). Space is limited, and tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the tickets, go here.

When: The 40-minute tours depart every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025

Where: The Castillo de San Marcos is at 1 S. Castillo Dr. in St. Augustine, Florida 32084.