Some of the best summer plans are the ones that do not require tickets, reservations, or an uncomfortable conversation with your bank account. Every Thursday evening, Concerts in the Plaza brings free live music to the heart of downtown St. Augustine. With music playing beneath the oak trees and historic buildings surrounding the crowd, it is a simple summer tradition that feels perfectly suited for the Nation’s Oldest City.
The concerts are held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the gazebo in Plaza de la Constitución. Located between Cathedral Place and King Street, just west of the Bridge of Lions, the Plaza has served as a public gathering place for more than 400 years. The gazebo itself has stood in the center of the Plaza for nearly a century, making it a fitting stage for an evening that brings locals and visitors together.
This Thursday, August 20, Glory Tributes will perform popular songs made famous by female artists. Bring a chair or blanket, arrive early enough to claim a comfortable spot, and settle in for two hours of live music. Families are welcome, and picnic dinners are allowed, so you can pack your own food or grab something from one of the nearby downtown restaurants. Leashed dogs are also welcome, but owners should bring water and keep them close since the Plaza can become crowded during the concert. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the Plaza, but there is nothing stopping you from enjoying dinner or drinks downtown before or after the concert.
One of the best parts of Concerts in the Plaza is that the evening can be as simple or as planned out as you want it to be. You can pack sandwiches and snacks, spread out a blanket, and let the children dance until they have successfully exhausted themselves. You can also make a full evening of it by having dinner nearby, listening to the concert, and ending the night with ice cream and a walk along the bayfront. St. Augustine provides the scenery, the musicians provide the entertainment, and all you really need to bring is somewhere comfortable to sit.
The summer concert series continues on August 27 with The Groove Coalition, performing groovy and funky rhythm and blues. Zaza Flamenca will perform world music and American standards with a Latin touch on September 3. Each concert offers a different style of music, giving visitors another reason to return before the summer series comes to an end.
Because Florida weather enjoys changing its mind without consulting anyone, weather related delays or cancellations are announced on the City of St. Augustine website by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the concert. Checking for an update before leaving home can save you from carrying chairs through downtown only to discover that the clouds had other plans. Parking is available throughout downtown, but arriving early will make finding a space and choosing a spot near the gazebo much easier.
Concerts in the Plaza is proof that a memorable evening does not have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes all you need is live music, a warm summer evening, good company, and one of the prettiest town squares in Northeast Florida. Pack a picnic, grab your chairs, and let St. Augustine handle the rest.
