Blessing of the Fleet and Easter Parade

For half a century the Easter holidays in St. Augustine have included processions and parades; the two primary events affecting traffic occur on Palm Sunday, March 29th, and Easter Sunday, April 5th.

Blessing of the Fleet – Palm Sunday, March 29, 12:30 p.m.

On Sunday, March 29 starting at approximately 12:30 p.m. and lasting less than 20 minutes, vehicular traffic in the vicinity of the Plaza de la Constitution will experience brief traffic interruptions to accommodate the annual Blessing of the Fleet’s procession from the Cathedral Basilica to the Municipal Marina. The Bridge of Lions will remain closed to all marine traffic during the event commencing at 12:30 p.m. and lasting approximately two hours depending on the number of vessels.

Easter Parade – Easter Sunday, April 5, 3:00 p.m.

On Sunday, April 5 the St. Augustine Easter Parade will necessitate all-day parking restrictions and detours. The parade begins at 3:00 p.m. and lasts approximately two hours along a route starting at San Marco Ave. and Williams St. and continuing south San Marco Ave., South Castillo Dr., Avenida Menendez, west on Cathedral Pl., north on Cordova St., and disbursing in the vicinity of the Visitor Information Center.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic: San Marco Ave. south of San Carlos Ave.; South Castillo Dr., Avenida Menendez north of Bridge of Lions; Cathedral Pl.; Cordova St. north of King St.; Orange St.; West Castillo Dr.; and St. George St. between King St. and Cathedral Pl. (closed all day).

Parking will be prohibited all day on San Marco Ave., King St., Cathedral Pl., and Avenida Menendez north of the Bridge of Lions. The Historic Downtown Parking Facility will be accessible until approximately 2:00 p.m., but may close earlier based on availability. It will reopen after the parade. Note that public parking, except for the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, is free on Sundays.