The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Nicknamed “The Amp,” the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is the pride and joy of St. Augustine, attracting the attention of global artists and superstars with a sustainability-forward and community-centric atmosphere. Located on Anastasia Island, just down the street from Downtown St. Augustine, the venue hosts 40+ concerts each year (not including the Sing Out Loud Festival) with a seating capacity of just under 5,000.
In 2016, they introduced a secondary performance space called “The Backyard Stage,” general admission, standing room only. They also have a gathering area called “The Front Porch,” where concert goers, visitors, and community members can gather before a show or explore the Farmers Market and Night Market.
A Little History
How about a little bit of history? In 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the famous Spanish explorer, landed on the sandy shores of St. Augustine and established the first European settlement in what would later become the United States. That makes St. Augustine the oldest city in America. The Amp is located in an area once a part of the coquina quarries, and visitors can still find evidence of those old mining efforts.
In 1965, celebrating the 400th Anniversary of de Aviles’ discovery, St. Augustine completely revamped the city’s core, which included the construction of the Great Cross at the Mission Nombre de Dios and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. It was initially constructed to house the symphonic retelling of the landing on St. Augustine, a play titled “Cross and Sword” written by the Pulitzer-prize winning playwright, Paul Green.
World-Class Events
In 1999, there was a severe shift in The Amp’s primary purpose. The venue has since become one of the most illustrious and globally renowned music venues, being named one of Pollstar Magazine’s Top 50 Amphitheatre Venues Worldwide. They’ve hosted world-famous artists, including Stevie Nicks, John Legend, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Bonni Raitt, Leon Bridges, and more!
The Sing Out Loud Festival
Every September since 2016, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre hosts the Sing Out Loud Festival, hosting more than 100 live performances over several weekends in September. Since its inception, they’ve welcomed over 50,000 music fans and over 900 artists, raising more than $300,000 for charitable organizations.
The Farmers Market and Night Market
Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market is open to the public. They offer locally sourced, fresh food and produce straight from the farm. The market is packed with local farmers, delicious treats, artists, crafters, and live entertainment. The Night Market keeps the atmosphere rolling with crafts, arts, a full bar, live music, and delicious eats from local food trucks.
Anastasia State Park
The Amp is located just on the edge of the beautiful Anastasia State Park, just half a mile from the park’s 1600 acres, lined with white sandy beaches and gorgeous shorelines. Visitors can camp overnight under the stars, walk the dunes, hike the trails, or spend the day on the water.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Since live events are known to create large amounts of waste, The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is proudly committed to sustainability. They have programs to eliminate pollutants, reduce waste, promote conservation, and engage with the community. They also welcome volunteers and community partners.
The Local – St. Augustine
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