St. Augustine History Fest Special Tours, 2025

The St. Augustine History Festival celebrates the "Nation's Oldest City" with activities at historical sites throughout the town, from May 7 through May 11, 2025.

Created by the University of Florida, Historic St. Augustine Inc., and the Lastinger Family Foundation, the History Fest showcases every era of St. Augustine's long and storied past through special events and tours of historic venues. The activities include tours, presentations, book signings, a re-enactment, and a special concert featuring music by Black composers. 

We update this event weekly. All events marked 2025 have been updated.

Tours of Historic Houses of Worship

Ancient City Baptist Church

What: Tours of the historic church.

When: Friday and Saturday, May 9 & 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address: 27 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (Requires Tickets)

What: A "Behind the Scenes" tour of the Cathedral Basilica, including the choir loft, sacristy, confessional, baptistry, and chapel.

Admission: $18.00 for teens and adults, and $12.00 for children aged 6 - 12. You can purchase tickets in advance.

When: Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9, and Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

Address: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

First Congregation Sons of Israel

What: Tours of the oldest synagogue in the state of Florida.

When: On Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, May 7, 8, and 11, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Address: 161 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

In 2025, the congregation celebrates the 100th birthday of their beautiful synagogue.  Go here for information about the special event on Sunday, May 11.

Memorial Presbyterian Church

What: A docent-guided tour of the church built by Henry Flagler.

When:  Friday, May 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m. No reservations are necessary.

Where: 32 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

What: Self-guided tours of the grounds, church, and chapel. (Several events will be held at the shrine during the History Fest. To learn about them, go here.)

When:  The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, daily. The Church and Chapel are open Monday through Saturday, May 5 through May 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Where: 101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Cyprians Episcopal Church

What: This Episcopal church was established in the 1800s as a place of worship for African Americans. The current church was built in 1900. The property is available for viewing through the entire History Fest.

When: Wednesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Their Sunday service is at 10:00 a.m.

Where: St. Syprians Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett Street, St. Augustine 32084

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine

What: Daily tours. The tours are free and reservations are required. To reserve space call (904) 829-8205.

(Several events will be held at St. Photios during the History Fest. To learn about them, go here.)

When:  Wednesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Where: 41 St George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Trinity Parish

What: Docent-guided tours. 

When: Thursday, May 8 - Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

To learn more, visit the St. Augustine History Festival's website here.

Tours of Historic Cemeteries

Representatives of each cemetery will be present to answer questions.

First Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery

What: A tour of the First Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery.

When: Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: 111 Evergreen Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (In the West King area.)

Huguenot Cemetery

What: A tour of the Huguenot Cemetery, known as the Public Burying Ground.

When: TBA

Where: A1A and Orange Street, St. Augustine 32084

Pinehurst and San Sebastian Cemeteries for Black Persons

What: A tour of these two cemeteries set aside for Black citizens of St. Augustine, both free and enslaved.

When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: N. Nassau and Pearl Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 (In the West King area.)

Tolomato Cemetery

What: A tour of Tolomato Cemetery. You may also participate in their popular scavenger hunt in the cemetery.

When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Where: 14 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

St. Augustine National Cemetery

What: Dr. Amy Larner Giroux, UCF, "No Longer Unknown: Native American POWs, Civil War soldiers, and Second Seminole War casualties."

When: May 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: St. Augustine National Cemetery, 104 Marine Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Note: You may respectfully visit the National Cemetery during daylight hours, without a tour.

Tours of Historic Houses and Gardens

Father Miguel O'Reilly House and Gardens

What: This house and museum have been closed for renovations for four years. They are now open with new displays and a greater emphasis on the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 

Admission: Free

When: Tuesday, May 6 through Saturday, May 10, 2025. They open at 10:00 a.m., close for lunch from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m., and open again from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: 32 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084

Nombre de Dios Historic Gardens

What: Walk through the historic gardens at the Nombre de Dios.

Admission: Free

When: Dawn to dusk daily.

Where: At the Mission Nombre De Dios, 101 San Marcos Avenue, St. Augustine

Flagler College Historic Gardens

What: Walk through the several gardens at Flagler College.

• While the courtyard gardens at the Ponce Building are included in Flagler Legacy Tours, you may walk through the courtyard and enjoy the garden and unique fountain whenever the gates are open at 75 King Street, St. Augustine.
• The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and the Alumni House, at 48 Sevilla Street, share two gardens.
  • The quiet and secluded Saul and Sara Rogers Meditation and Contemplation Garden is behind the Alumni House
  • The Elliptical Garden, at the front of the property, is often used for receptions and ceremonies. 48 King Street, St. Augustine

Peña Peck House and Gardens

What: Free guided tours of the house and gardens. This large, walled garden is frequently used as a venue for ceremonies and events.

Admission: There is no fee, though donations are accepted.

When: Wednesday - Friday, May 7 - May 9, at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at noon, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, and 3:00 p.m.

Historic Gardens at Ticketed Attractions

Fountain of Youth

What: Guided tours of the Fountain of Youth gardens. (There will be peacocks.)

Admission: Normal ticket prices apply. Go here to see ticket prices for visitors and St. Johns County residents. Outside the ticketed area is a pocket park, free to view, featuring a bronze statue of Pedro Menendez. 

When: May 8 and 9, 2024 at 2:30 and 4:00 p.m.

Where: 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Spanish Military Hospital

What: Every tour at the Spanish Military Hospital includes the apothecary gardens where they grow healing herbs and plants to use in poultices. 

Admission:  $16.95 for teens and adults, and $6.95 for children ages 6 through 12.

When: May 7 - 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are required and reservations are recommended. 

Where: 3 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084