It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting: neighbors and friends sitting on picnic chairs, listening to music; small children dancing in the grass. A white gazebo with a live band; everyone smiling, tapping their toes and swaying to the music.
You don’t need to step into the past to find it–you can find it every Thursday from June through August in St. Augustine’s Constitution Plaza (that’s the big park between King Street and Cathedral Street, with the gazebo and the marketplace).
Concerts in the Plaza are one of the great, free events that attract both locals and visitors in St. Augustine. Held every Thursday night from 7pm til 9pm, you can hear a wide variety of live music at the gazebo: bluegrass and blues, jazz and country, swing and folk, and old time rock and roll.
How to Get There
Going to the free concert is super easy for guests staying at the Bayfront Marin House. The plaza is about 2 blocks from the inn–you can walk along the bayfront and enjoy the breeze, or you can walk through Aviles Street and enjoy the oldest street in the United States. Either way, the timing is perfect–you have plenty of time to enjoy our two-hour happy hour each day (it goes from 5 til 7 in our dining room every day!), and then just a few minutes to walk to the center of town.
Added bonus: our bed and breakfast offers FREE margaritas every Thursday night as well–so you can enjoy an icy treat before walking to the concert. (Please enjoy it in our dining room–it is illegal to have alcohol in the Plaza).
Things to Take
Ask to borrow one of our beach chairs for comfortable seating, or take beach blankets with you to sit on the grass. Either way, it’s a great way to enjoy a summer night in the oldest city. Or don’t take anything at all–and spend the whole concert dancing!
Concert Schedule
August 3, The Session (great American songbook jazz)
August 10, the Grapes of Roth (classic rock favorites)
August 17, Ancient City Slickers (big fun music)
August 24, The Gatorbone Band (original, traditional, oldtime to jazz)
August 31, Lonesome Bert & The Skinny Lizards (Americana, songwriter, boogie)
Weather note: Summer doesn’t just mean free concerts and margaritas–sometimes it means afternoon showers. They’re normally short, and while concerts are sometimes delayed, they’re not often canceled. Check www.ConcertsinThePlaza.com and social media for the latest updates!