Events listed below start with those held EVERY month, followed by top ANNUAL events on Amelia Island...

Enjoy Local History Every Month -- Fort Clinch Re-Enactments: First Weekend Union Garrisons -- (Fort Clinch pictured above, right). The first weekend of every month on Saturday from 9 to 5 and Sunday from 9 until noon. Step back in time to the Civil War era and watch "soldiers" carrying out their duties.  Witness candle-making, woodworking,  blacksmith demonstrations, and reenactments of history.  This Civil War fort, designated a National Historic Landmark, is perched on the beach overlooking Cumberland Sound with nature trails, fishing pier, gift shop, and 62 campsites surrounded by 1,200+ acres of protected nature.  Very special are summer candlelight tours of the fort beginning after sundown, available on Friday and Saturday nights (generally starting in May through Labor Day (except for Saturdays during the first weekend of the month or special events). The fort is located at 2601 Atlantic Avenue, on the north end of Amelia Island.  Call Fort Clinch State Park  to confirm tour schedule and special events: (904)277-7274.

Enjoy Local Museum History & Tours Every Month -- Amelia Island Museum's Walking Tours of historic district, generally offered Monday through Saturday at 11:00 am and at 2:00 pm.  (Other group tours also available by special reservation.) The museum is noted as Florida's first oral history museum. From September through June on Thursdays and Fridays at 3 pm, take the "Centre Street Stroll," a guided walking tour which ends with complimentary tea in outdoor courtyard. The museum is located at 233 S. Third Street.  Call (904)261-7378 to confirm tour times and make reservations.

Enjoy Local Art Scene Every Month -- Art Event:  First Friday Gallery Walk, Fernandina Beach, "Art Ragous"... Both local residents and tourists can enjoy Amelia Island's art galleries in the evening hours during a monthly walking tour of the historic district's galleries. This self-guided gallery tour is held the first Friday evening of each month from 6 to 9 pm. Two of the largest galleries on the walk in downtown Fernandina Beach, are the Art & Antique Center at 702 Centre Street and the Island Art Association at 18N. 2nd Street. Call (904)277-2717 for further information.  See also art gallery section, listing local galleries with web site links.

Enjoy Local Nature -- Nature Walks at Fort Clinch -- Hike through coastal hammock with your guide and learn about native plants and animals as you walk around Willow Pond trail. Nature tour is offered Saturdays at 10:30 am. Call (904)277-7274 for further information.

Amelia Island Plantation's Nature Program.  Experience local nature through the Plantation's extensive nature program offering a wide variety of educational programs and tours both on and off the Plantation.  Some of the off property tours are a Cumberland Island excursion, a Fort Clinch tour, the Okefenokee Swamp, the Kingsley Plantation, the Egan's Creek Greenway, and Beaks/Talbot Island State Park.  Other nature programs offered by the Plantation include the following:  Birds of Amelia, Bird Watching 101, Back Porch Birding, Shell & Shark Tooth Hunt, Beachside Naturalist Walk, Crab Grab, Wind, Water, & Sand, Flora & Fauna, Nature Photography, Woodland Walk, Children's Discovery, Critter Talk, Amelia at Night, Stargazing, Naturalist Kayak, Nature Bike Hike, and Edible Plant. (You can check room availability at the Plantation and book online reservations through our reservation system.)   For further information on the Nature Programs, call (904)261-6161.

TOP ANNUAL EVENTS ON AMELIA ISLAND...

March -- Concours d'Elegance -- prestigious, international car show at Amelia Island's Ritz-Carlton, held each year in March.  The event is held in early to mid-March.  (Rooms become scarce for this event , so book your room as early as possible...check room availability now at the Ritz and book online reservations.)  With about 275 cars parked on the fairway of the Golf Club of Amelia adjoined to the Ritz, this show is a spectacular display of rare and classic automobiles. This event is reportedly "the largest show of its kind on the east coast," and benefits the Hospice Foundation for Caring.  Call 904-596-6201 or visit website to purchase tickets online: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. 

April -- Bausch & Lomb Women's Annual Tennis Championship -- generally in early April, this nationally-televised event attracts the top players.   The event is held at the Amelia Island Plantation.    (You can check room availability at Amelia Island Plantation and book online reservations -- again, this is a popular event, so book your room well in advance.) . Visit the Bausch & Lomb Championship website for further information and tickets.

May -- Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival-- held the first weekend in May each year. WATCH SHRIMP FESTIVAL VIDEO.  (Also go to  Shrimp Festival page for further details.) The shrimp festival is the largest event of the year on Amelia Island, reportedly attracting over 100,000 people during the weekend.  The festival is rated as one of the best in Florida and one of the top 20 events in the southeast region of the U.S. If you like shrimp, live music, and browsing fine arts & crafts, antiques, etc., this is one of the best events on the East Coast.   (The island's hotel rooms get booked well in advance of this HUGE event, bringing 100,000-plus folks to the island, so book your hotel as early as possible -- check room availability at local hotels now!!!)

Annual Shrimp Festival Parade, always held the Thursday of the first weekend in May, at 6 pm, starts on Ash Street, route continues up Centre Street. This is the biggest parade of the year on Amelia Island, don't miss it!

June --  Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.  Three weeks of music played from historic venues throughout Victorian-era seaport. Famed musicians will perform at various venues around the island.  Visit the Chamber Music Festival's website at www.ameliaislandchambermusic.org .Kingfish Tournament --  The Nassau Sport Fishing Association's Annual Tournament of Champions Kingfish Tournament. This has become a major regional sporting event sanctioned by the Southern Kingfish Association held in June each year on Amelia Island.   Amelia Island's waters reportedly offer some of the "most abundant fishing waters off the East Coast."  For additional information call: 904-277-8617

Late August/Early September --   New World Cuisine Festival. This festival of food & wine is hosted by the Ritz-Carlton and held over Labor Day weekend.  The main event is held in the ballroom with food prepared by executive chefs from around the world, and about 30 selections of fine wine.  (Book online reservations at the Ritz-Carlton) Call the Ritz-Carlton at (904)277-1100 for further information and a reservation.

September or October -- The Nassau County Volunteer Center’s annual “The Taste of Amelia Island,” a culinary fair to benefit the Center.  About 20 restaurants and purveyors participate. Music is provided and there is a raffle and an art show by local artists.  For ticket information call 904-261-2771 or e-mail ncvcfb@aol.com.

Haunted History Tour:  Ghost Stories of Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island, held during October.  For information call (904)261-7378.

November -- Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration held each year in November, hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, marks the Beaujolais Nouveau arrival direct from France followed by reception.  The 2007 Beaujolais Nouveau event is November 15th, 2007 at 5 p.m. The Beaujolais Nouveau will debut alongside a lineup of all new 2008 Mercedes-Benz automobiles.

"The elegant event features tuxedoed servers passing champagne, abundant hors d'oeuvres in the oceanfront courtyard, made-to-order delicacies, and an illuminated ice display in Salt, the resort's fine dining restaurant, plus music for dancing. A representative from Mercedes-Benz will be on hand to showcase the featured luxury cars and wine experts will be available to answer questions about the Beaujolais Nouveau."  Admission is $74 per person. Advance reservations are recommended.

(Check room availability and book online reservations at the Ritz-Carlton.)  Call the Ritz for further information (904)277-1100.

November -- Annual Veterans Day Parade, Centre Street, Fernandina.  In 2007 the date is November 10, 2007 at 11 am.

Amelia Island Fall Arts Festival and Wine Tasting-  Being held November 10th and 11th, 2007, 10 am to 5 pm, this new festival features over 100 artists and 20 wines in historic Fernandina, a 2 day outdoor art affair. Photography, pottery, jewelry, mixed media, glass, paintings and more will be on display. There will be an interactive children's area, art demonstrations, specialty food vendors and more. Presented by the Historic Fernandina Business Association. 

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton and arrival of Santa held around the Thanksgiving holiday each year. In 2007, the wonderful tree light holiday event will be held November 21, 2007 at 5:30 pm. This Ritz-Carlton tree is one of the biggest in northeast Florida, and rivals the Rockefeller Center tree, in size and beauty, except the seaside setting of this tree framed by the ocean, and sounds of the lapping waves, adds a peacefulness the Manhattan tree can't match.  Guests of the Ritz as well as the local community are invited to this magical evening, with complimentary refreshments (the best cookies baked fresh by Ritz chefs), music, and a dramatic entrance by Santa Claus.  You'll also be amazed and delighted with the full size gingerbread house in the Ritz lobby, painstakingly baked and decorated by Ritz chefs, along with gorgeous holiday decor and many special holiday events. The gingerbread house is a unique theme each year and truly remarkable -- likely the biggest gingerbread house you'll ever see.  This really is a spectacular evening, not to be missed.  See also Ritz-Carlton page for more info and photos of the hotel).  (Check room availability and book online reservations at the Ritz-Carlton.)

Annual Pajama Party, Centre Street.  Downtown merchants sponsored shopping event.  Coffee, juice, pastries from 8 am to 11 am on November 23, 2007.  Wear your PJs. 

Holiday Luminary Tours of Historic District, given by the museum.  Dates in 2007 are December 7th and Dec. 8th at 6 pm and 7 pm.  Reservations in advance required, call 904-261-7378.

Fernandina Beach Annual Lighted Holiday Parade
Holiday parade presented by Southside Neighborhood Association.  All entries feature lighting. The date in 2007 is December 8th, 2007 at 6 pm on Centre Street.  For more information to participate or this year's parade, call (904) 261-3248.

Holiday Pet Stroll in downtown Fernandina Beach
Bring your dog dressed in their best holiday attire - prizes will be awarded. The date in 2007 is December 1, 2007 at 11:00 am on Centre Street. For more information Redbones, the organizer, at (904) 321-0020.

Check room availability for your travel dates, at Amelia Island's top resorts and hotels, and book online reservations.

This is Amelia Island Living© eMagazine's Travel Guide Section. Return to HOME PAGE.  Besides this Travel Section, be sure to read the most recent tourism articles in eMagazine Section.  Read "Heritage Tourism" article, covering the must-see historic sights on Amelia Island.  Also read feature article about the historic Amelia Island Lighthouse,   Visit Amelia Island Living's new social network, new photo gallery, and new blog at www.AmeliaIslandLiving.NET.  Copyright 2001-2008© Florida Fine Living Media, Inc., all rights reserved.  Web site content is based upon information gathered from various sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy or completeness.