A Year round destination
Amelia Island is an incredible destination all year round thanks to its many events and activities. In addition to all of our amazing outdoor activities such as golfing, kayaking and fishing, the island offers a range of festivals throughout the year. From the world-famous, Amelia Island Concours Week in March to the Amelia Island Jazz Festival in October to Dickens on Centre in December, there’s always a great reason to visit Amelia Island.
Events and Festivals
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Amelia Island Restaurant Week
January
Amelia Island Restaurant week is a great way to explore the island’s fast-growing food scene. This ten-day culinary showcase of prix-fixe menus offers lunches at participating restaurants at $15, and dinners at $25, $35 and $45. And many of our award winning restaurants and resorts offer special dining events during this week!
For more information check out Visit Amelia Island
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Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival
January - April
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is a celebration of the arts and a must-see event for anyone passionate about music and culture. With several weeks of shows featuring a mix of classical and contemporary performances by some of the most talented musicians in the world, this is an event to be savored!
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Amelia Island Book Festival
February
The Amelia Island Book Festival celebrates the wonders of reading and writing through a series of fun events featuring New York Times best selling authors, independent authors and publishers, local writers, and awards programs and workshops. The event opens with the annual Author’s Gala Dinner and features and Author’s Expo and Reader’s Extravaganza.
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Amelia Island Concours Week
March
This annual celebration of automotive luxury and style is headlined by The Amelia - Concours d’ Elegance and includes car auctions and events on the beautiful grounds of The Ritz-Carlton and all across Amelia Island. Packed with amazing cars and people, it’s no surprise that this event has become one of the most famous automotive events in the world.
For more information check out Visit Amelia Island
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Sounds on Centre
April - October
This free outdoor concert series takes place on the first Friday of each month from April to October in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. Featuring classic rock, blues, oldies and more in a family-friendly environment, Sounds on Centre transforms Downtown Fernandina Beach into a gorgeous outdoor music hall for all to enjoy!
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Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
May
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is a wonderful celebration of island culture and history. Held yearly during our gorgeous spring season, the festival offers the freshest shrimp and seafood dishes, a Fine Arts and Crafts Show, antiques vendors, live music and entertainment and more. It’s a family-friendly event that showcases our beautiful Downtown and Harbor and the island’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.
For details check out Visit Amelia Island
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Fish to Fork
May
Each spring the Omni Amelia Island Resort hosts a culinary contest for elite chefs from around the nation. The chefs go out to sea to catch fresh fish, then return to the resort to transform their fresh catch into signature dishes that double as contest entries and a weekend -long feast for attendees. This amazing food-battle/culinary festival takes place on the lush grounds of the Omni Amelia Island Resort, where guests are surrounded by moss-draped oaks, sand dunes and sea.
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Amelia Island Dance Festival
September
With events around the island, the Amelia Island Dance Festival features performances by world-class dance artists and dance workshops by local dance experts for every type of dancer. It’s another wonderful way to explore the arts on our beautiful island!
For details check out Visit Amelia Island
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Island Hop Craft Beer Festival
October
Enjoy an amazing showcase of local microbreweries including First Love Brewing, Amelia Island Brewing Company, Mocama Beer Company, Disco Witch Brewing and more in a beautiful seaside setting. With craft beers, food trucks and live music, Fernandina Beach Main Street Marketplace is transformed into fabulous, family-friendly event space.
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Amelia Island Jazz Festival
October
This annual, week-long festival presents world-class jazz in styles from swing and bebop to Dixieland and big band to modern-contemporary. With performances by jazz greats like Delfeayo Marsalis and David Sansborn, as well as up-and-coming artistists, shows are staged in various venues across the island. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy live jazz in a laid back, island setting!
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Right Whale Festival
November
The Right Whale Festival celebrates the annual return of the endangered right whales to the warm, coastal waters of the Florida and Georgia where they give birth to and nurse their young. This family friendly event raises awareness and highlights local efforts to protect these whales from extinction. Ocean-themed activities and exhibits emphasize education and environmental responsibility.
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Petanque Amelia Island Open
November
Amelia Island is home to the largest Petanque event in the Americas, drawing players (and spectators) from all over the world to compete for the Petanque championship right in the heart of historic Fernandina Harbor. It’s a lovely event that celebrates the joyful energy or “joie de vivre” of our welcoming Downtown Fernandina Beach!
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Holiday Home Tour
December
Presented by the Amelia Island Museum of History, the Holiday Home Tour is a beautiful way welcome the holiday season. With the help of museum docents, visitors are guided through a collection of professionally decorated Victorian homes in Fernandina Beach, highlighting their history and period architectural elements.
For details check out Visit Amelia Island
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Dickens on Centre
December
Welcome the holiday season with Dickens on Centre, a Victorian-themed Christmas street festival that transforms historic Fernandina Beach into a magical, Victorian-era village. Complete with an old-fashioned holiday market, costumed performers, outdoor music and performances, and a beautiful evening parade illuminated with lanterns and twinkle lights, this event is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s the ideal way to get you and your family in the holiday spirit!
For details check out Visit Amelia Island
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