St. Augustine Easter Parade 2026: Your Complete Guide to This Historic Holiday Tradition

If you’re spending Easter weekend in Northeast Florida, the St. Augustine Easter Parade is one of the city’s most beloved seasonal events. This longtime tradition brings together horses and carriages, marching bands, colorful floats, pirates, the Easter Bunny, and the St. Augustine Royal Family for a festive morning through the heart of downtown.

The 2026 St. Augustine Easter Parade will take place on Saturday, April 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in downtown St. Augustine. The event, which began in 1956, is known as the nation’s second-oldest Easter parade and remains one of the city’s signature spring celebrations.

A St. Augustine Tradition

The Easter Parade is also known as the Parada de los Caballos y Coches, or Parade of Horses and Carriages. Since its founding in 1956, it has become a defining part of Easter weekend in St. Augustine, blending local tradition, community pride, and the unique historic atmosphere of the nation’s oldest city.

What makes this parade especially memorable is its distinctly local character. Along with classic parade favorites like bands and floats, visitors can also see horses in Easter hats, pirates, drill teams, the Royal Family, and even Imperial Storm Troopers moving through downtown streets and along the bayfront.

2026 Parade Details

The official 2026 event is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

The parade route begins at the Old Jail Museum, located at 167 San Marco Avenue. From there, it travels south on San Marco Avenue, continues along Avenida Menendez on the bayfront, turns onto Cathedral Place and Cordova Street, and ends at the Visitor Information Center.

What You’ll See

Families, visitors, and locals gather each year to enjoy one of the most colorful mornings on St. Augustine’s event calendar. Parade entries include horses and carriages, marching bands, floats, drill teams, pirates, the Easter Bunny, and members of the St. Augustine Royal Family.

The event is designed to be festive and family-friendly, and trophies are awarded in four categories. That adds an extra layer of excitement for participants while giving spectators plenty to enjoy from start to finish.

Best Places To Watch

If you want a classic parade-day experience, San Marco Avenue is a strong choice because you can watch the parade shortly after it begins. The bayfront stretch along Avenida Menendez is another popular option, especially for visitors who want scenic water views as part of the experience.

If convenience matters most, the area near the Visitor Information Center can be a smart place to watch the end of the parade and then continue exploring downtown afterward. Since the event takes place in the historic district, arriving early is one of the best ways to secure a comfortable viewing spot.

Parking And Road Closures

Traffic planning is important for parade morning because several downtown roads will close from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Affected streets include sections of San Marco Avenue, South Castillo Drive/Avenida Menendez, Cathedral Place, Cordova Street, Orange Street, West Castillo Drive, and St. George Street between King Street and Cathedral Place, which is closed all day.

For easier access, the city is offering a free park-and-ride shuttle on Saturday, April 4. The shuttle runs from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with free parking available at 198 and 212 West King Street, known as Broudy’s Lot, and service to and from the Visitor Information Center.

Paid parking is also available at the downtown parking garage next to Francis Field on South Castillo Drive. The event listing also notes that the garage has parking available for vehicles displaying a handicap plate or placard.

Tips Before You Go

Arrive early if you want the best viewing options and the easiest parking experience. Because road closures begin before the parade starts, getting downtown ahead of time can make the morning much more enjoyable.

If you’re making a day of it, pair the parade with brunch, shopping, or a walk through the historic district after the event ends. Since the route passes through some of St. Augustine’s most scenic areas, the parade fits easily into a full Easter weekend itinerary.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

The St. Augustine Easter Parade offers more than just a seasonal event; it gives visitors a chance to experience one of the city’s most enduring traditions in a setting full of history and character. From the horses and pageantry to the bayfront backdrop, it’s the kind of local celebration that feels both timeless and uniquely St. Augustine.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, this Easter Saturday tradition is a fun and memorable way to enjoy downtown St. Augustine.