UF Historic St. Augustine to host 5th annual history festival May 6-10

The University of Florida Historic St. Augustine (UFHSA), in collaboration with local partners, presents the fifth annual St. Augustine History Festival from May 6-10 to showcase America’s oldest city. More than 40 historic venues will offer tours, lectures, family-friendly events, workshops and other happenings. The 2026 event also features historic houses of worship, gardens and cemeteries.

The festival takes place during National Historic Preservation Month and showcases every era of St. Augustine’s past, from its founding in 1565 to the most advanced technology available to study history in 2026. This year’s event also highlights the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with stories of the city’s role in the American Revolution.

“Piecing together the History Festival each year is a tremendous rush as I see our historic sites and venues come together as one community,” said Roger Smith, coordinator of the festival and adjunct professor of history at the University of Florida. “The best part, however, is attending as many programs and venues as possible during the five-day festival and hearing positive comments from attendees.”

UFHSA will unveil “Florida at War: St. Augustine in the American Revolution” during the festival, curated by local historians and faculty from UF George A. Smathers Libraries and the University of South Florida. The free exhibit will be on display at the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, 48 King St., St. Augustine, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout 2026.

For more information and list of events and participating historic sites, please visit: staugustinehistoryfestival.com.