31 Dec 2019 Celtic Music & Heritage Festival in St. Augustine
Don’t miss the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, March 9-10, 2019, in America’s oldest Celtic city. The Festival at Francis Field in downtown St. Augustine hosts the “Oldest St. Patrick Parade in the WORLD”, the “Finest Celtic Music Festival in the United States” with bands from Ireland, Scotland, the U.S. and Canada playing both traditional Celtic tunes and Celtic rock, the St. Augustine Highland Games, Celtic artisans, Celtic cuisine, and more.
You can begin the celebration at a special pre-festival Whiskey Tasting from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Friday evening, March 8, 2019. Enjoy music by Robert Burns on the hammered dulcimer while Ciaran Gaffney, a Jameson Brand Ambassador, leads you through the Whiskey Tasting. You’ll sample seven different Irish Whiskies and Scotches, from Jameson’s Black Barrel Irish Whiskey to Glenlivet 12 Year First Fill Scotch. (Cost: $45 per adult. Note these tickets are limited and are sold separately online from the Festival admission.)
Saturday morning, March 8, don’t miss the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 10 am, when it celebrates the 418th anniversary of the original held in 1601! It’s the only St. Patrick’s Day parade in Northeast Florida.
The St. Augustine Highland Games, challenging men’s and women’s strength and athleticism, date back to the games held in the 11th century in the Scottish Highlands. The Festival’s traditional competitions, held both Saturday and Sunday, include Braemer Stone Throw, open stone put, sheaf toss, caber toss, and more. A Games Clinic on Friday, March 8, 2019, from 4 – 6 pm will offer an introductory training to anyone (novice or experienced) interested in competing as an athlete. Anyone age 21+ is invited to sign up by noon and compete in a special Keg Carry event Saturday at 1:00 pm.
Listen to the sounds of traditional and contemporary Celtic Music throughout the Festival, performed by 8 of the top Celtic Bands from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. Returning again to the Festival will be the crowd-pleasing Dublin City Ramblers, named “Ireland’s No.1 Ballad & Folk Group of The Year”, and Albannach, the five member Scottish Pipes & Drums band from the Highlands (performing both Saturday and Sunday). Other returning performers on Saturday, March 9, 2019, will be Emmet Cahill, former lead singer with Celtic Thunder, and Steel City Rovers, known for their Celtbilly tunes combining Celtic and North American musical traditions. Look for Seven Nations, “not your father’s Celtic band,” to return on Sunday.
Other bands performing at the 9th Annual St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival will include Screaming Orphans, a four sister Celtic pop/rock band from Ireland (Saturday only), Poor Angus, a Progressive Celtic group from Canada (Saturday and Sunday), and The Gothard Sisters from the Pacific Northwest, performing contemporary Celtic music (Sunday only). Find detailed information about the performers and the schedule in the Festival website. Second stage performances will feature Captain Mayhem – the Pirate Magician, Robert Burns, Tartantrum! Celtic Comedy & Musical Mayhem, and Lecturer/Historian John Miles.
Whether or not you claim Celtic roots, don’t miss the 2019 St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, the 419th anniversary of the first St. Patrick Day celebration in America in 1600. You’ll be treated to sights and sounds of Celtic history and culture, including top Celtic bands, Highland games, Celtic artisans and food, plus a variety of entertainment. The Festival’s location at Francis Field is less than a mile from Casa de Solana Bed and Breakfast in the historic old town. Francis Field is easily accessible by car, public transit, or walking. The Festival draws crowds from around the region and across the nation, so don’t wait to give us a call or go online to reserve your stay at our hotel.
9th St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival
Dates & Times: Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Location: Francis Field, 25 W Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Florida
Tickets may be purchased online. Please note that all tickets are non-refundable, and pets are not allowed except for service animals.
Regular Admission for either Saturday or Sunday: $10 per person. Retired and active duty US Military Personnel with current ID, admitted Free. Children 12 & under, Free. (Admission does not include Whiskey Tasting Friday).
VIP Admission Package: Admission both Saturday and Sunday, VIP seating in front of the stage, seating in the VIP tent with separate VIP bar and restrooms, 2 drinks and a Festival t-shirt (VIP Admission does not include Whiskey Tasting). $65 per person until February 28, 2019, $75 beginning March 1, 2019, Children 12 & under admitted free with VIP adult.
The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival is produced by Romanza-St. Augustine, Inc. and is funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, Visit Florida, and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.
Photos courtesy of the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival.