St. Augustine's Easter Parade has floats and appearances by pirates and bunnies.
Published on April 2, 2026 at 9:50 am
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A hike on Fort George Island, an Easter weekend tradition in St. Augustine, and the Mandarin Art Festival are What to Do this weekend in the Jacksonville area.
Evening Hike with Timucuan Parks artist-in-residence Crystal Floyd
Saturday
Fort George Island Cultural State Park | Jacksonville
There was a golf course, now it’s all covered with flowers. You’ve got it, you’ve got it. (Yes, this is a Talking Heads reference.) If you want to watch nature reclaim its territory, join the Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and artist-in-residence Crystal Floyd for an evening plant hike through Fort George Island. The trek follows the Fairway Loop Trail, where a former golf course is undergoing a fascinating transformation back into a maritime forest. Keep an eye out for unique local plant species like small flower pawpaw, false indigo and coral bean as you explore the interior of this historic landscape. Meet in the parking lot across from the Ribault Club.
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6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 11241 Fort George Road | Free and open to the public | More info
Parada de los Caballos y Coches (Parade of Horses and Carriages)
Saturday
Downtown St. Augustine | St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s Parada de los Caballos y Coches celebrates its 70th anniversary on Saturday, continuing its legacy as the nation’s second-oldest Easter parade. Since 1956, this local tradition has filled the streets of the Nation’s Oldest City with horse-drawn carriages, marching bands and festive floats. The route kicks off at the Old Jail Museum and winds along the bayfront, and features everyone from the St. Augustine Royal Family and local pirate crews to the Easter Bunny and even Imperial Stormtroopers. Keep an eye out for the horses sporting their own holiday hats as they compete for trophies along the way.
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9 a.m, to 10:30 a.m. | Starts at the Old Jail Museum (167 San Marco Ave.) and finishes at the Visitor Information Center. | Free and open to the public. | More info
Mandarin Art Festival
Saturday and Sunday
Mandarin Community Club | Mandarin
The Mandarin Art Festival returns this Easter weekend, continuing a neighborhood tradition that dates back to 1968. As the longest-running event of its kind in Northeast Florida, this juried fine art show transforms the historic Mandarin Community Club grounds into an outdoor gallery featuring favorite local staples and new artists alike. Beyond the professional works, the festival includes a Children’s Art Show, a bake sale and an Easter egg hunt for kids. It’s a community-driven weekend that serves as a vital fundraiser for the preservation and beautification of Mandarin’s historic buildings and parks.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days | 12447 Mandarin Road | Free to attend, with a $2 suggested donation | More info.
