Lincolnville Jazz Festival

More than twenty-five years ago, a few musicians got together to do what they do best—play jazz—to raise money for the restoration and preservation of the Lincolnville area of St. Augustine. Now, every year, the cooler weather of November brings with it the hot sounds of jazz, blues, and gospel music to the streets of the downtown neighborhood that has been the center of African-American culture in St. Augustine for centuries.

Held on the first weekend in November in historic Lincolnville, the festival began as a street event in 1979. Since then, it has grown into an annual celebration that runs for three days and draws thousands of people to listen to the music, enjoy the food, and socialize in a community atmosphere. In its early years, the festival was held on Washington Street, the nearby streets blocked off to traffic. Bands set up on an empty foundation slab, and booths featuring local crafts and food filled the sidewalks. But the festival grew much too large for the street to accommodate. In the 1980s it was moved to the Malcolm Jones Ballpark, near the Willie Galimore Center at the south end of Riberia Street. Even so, it maintains the feel of a neighborhood party with plenty of food and music. People throughout the county come to enjoy a part of St. Augustine that dates back to 1688 when freed slaves settled in the area, which makes Lincolnville one of the oldest free African-American communities in the United States.

For more information on the festival call 904.829.8379.