Founded in 2011, the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival grew into one of North Florida’s premier cultural events, drawing audiences to Francis Field for performances by international and U.S. Celtic bands, authentic Highland Games, Celtic artisans, heritage food, whiskey tastings, workshops, lectures, and family activities. The festival also helped shine a national spotlight on St. Augustine’s unique Celtic legacy, including the city’s claim to the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day celebration in what is now the United States in 1600 and the first recorded St. Patrick procession in 1601.

“This festival has always been about more than entertainment,” said Albert Syeles, President of Romanza-St. Augustine, Inc. “It has been a celebration of heritage, friendship, volunteer spirit, and the extraordinary story of St. Augustine as America’s Oldest Celtic City.”

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff and to every musician, athlete, vendor, sponsor, Celtic clan, volunteer, and attendee who helped make the festival such a memorable part of our city’s cultural life. 

Over the years, the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival earned regional and national recognition, including being twice named one of the top 10 cultural festivals in the United States and receiving numerous “Best Of” honors. Its stages welcomed celebrated Celtic performers from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the U.S., while its Highland Games, parade traditions, and cultural programming connected residents and visitors to centuries of shared history.

The difficult decision to end these events is a result of a lack of State grants for arts and culture events since 2024, declining support from local government, difficulties with U.S. Work Visa bureaucracy, increased costs of supplies and labor, and other adverse developments.

Although these events are ending, Romanza-St. Augustine remains committed to supporting arts, culture, music, and heritage programming that enriches the community and honors the city’s remarkable history.

ABOUT ROMANZA-ST. AUGUSTINE, INC.: Romanza-St. Augustine, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting arts, culture, heritage, and community events in St. Augustine, Florida.