OCTOBER EVENTS ON AMELIA ISLAND
OCTOBER 2026 EVENTS ON AMELIA ISLAND
October brings live music, food festivals, outdoor activities, and plenty of reasons to spend time on Amelia Island. From craft beverages and jazz performances to a pet-friendly festival and culinary events, there is something happening throughout the month.
Sounds on Centre
THE HONEY BADGERS
Friday, October 2 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Start the month with live music in historic downtown Fernandina Beach at Sounds on Centre. The Honey Badgers take the stage for the final concert of the season, bringing an evening of music and dancing to Centre Street. Bring a chair and enjoy the free, family-friendly event, complete with roaming pirates and plenty of downtown restaurants and shops nearby.
Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival
Saturday, October 3 | 1–4 PM
Head to Central Park for the Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival, bringing together breweries, distilleries, live music, and more for an afternoon in Fernandina Beach. Hosted by Fernandina Beach Main Street, the annual festival also serves as a fundraiser supporting programs and projects throughout the historic downtown district.
General admission begins at 1 PM, with VIP admission beginning at noon.
Guided Nature Walk with Goat Herd
Saturday, October 3, 17 & 31 | 10 AM
Take a walk on the wild side at Jaybird Hammock Farm. This guided outdoor experience pairs a leisurely walk along approximately one mile of nature trails with a herd of goats walking alongside the group. A naturalist leads the experience while sharing more about the farm’s animals, native plants, wildlife, and surrounding landscape.
The approximately 1.5-hour experience is offered on three Saturdays throughout October, giving families several chances to join the herd.
Amelia Island Jazz Festival
October 4–11
The Amelia Island Jazz Festival returns for its 23rd year with eight days of live music throughout Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. The festival celebrates jazz across a range of styles, including swing, blues, Latin jazz, big band, and more.
On October 8, Bill Wharton, known as the Sauce Boss, brings his Down Home Blues & Gumbo Show to Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture from 3–5 PM, combining live blues with an onstage gumbo cooking experience. Later that evening, the festival continues with a Latin Jazz Concert & Dance.
On October 9, vocal jazz group The Four Freshmen takes the stage at 7 PM at Courtyard Amelia Island and SpringHill Suites Amelia Island, with Les DeMerle Sound 67 opening the evening. Additional concerts, jams, special events, and a jazz brunch round out the festival schedule.
Barktoberfest
Saturday, October 10 | Noon–4 PM
Bring your four-legged friend to Mocama Beer Company for Barktoberfest, a pet-friendly afternoon benefiting the Nassau Humane Society. The annual event features live music, games and contests, adoptable pets, food, drinks, shopping, and plenty of opportunities to support animals in the local community.
Guests can also browse and bid in the event’s online silent auction, featuring local experiences, dining, travel, entertainment, and more. Admission is free.
The Amelia Island Oceanfront Cookout
Saturday, October 17 | 5–8 PM
Food takes center stage at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island during the Amelia Island Oceanfront Cookout. Meet chefs and beverage experts while enjoying seafood, grilled and slow-roasted meats, desserts, wine, cocktails, and live entertainment in an outdoor setting overlooking the dunes and water.
The signature event is part of the larger Amelia Island Cookout weekend, which features culinary experiences, demonstrations, dinners, tastings, and other special events from October 15–18.
Tickets for the Oceanfront Cookout are $170 per person, plus service charge and tax.
Taste of Amelia
Saturday, October 24 | 11:30 AM–3:30 PM
Eat your way through historic downtown Fernandina Beach during the 39th Annual Taste of Amelia. This culinary crawl brings together more than 20 signature tasting bites from participating restaurants, giving guests the chance to sample a variety of local flavors while exploring downtown.
Check-in begins at 11:30 AM, followed by an afternoon of tastings throughout the historic district. An online silent auction is also held in conjunction with the event, with proceeds supporting the Rotary Club of Fernandina Beach’s community efforts.
5th Annual Amelia Island Hispanic Heritage Music & Food Festival
Saturday, October 10 | 1–9 PM
Celebrate Hispanic heritage in downtown Fernandina Beach with an afternoon and evening of live music, food, and family-friendly fun. The 5th Annual Amelia Island Hispanic Heritage Music & Food Festival takes over S. 3rd Street with live performances, including Latin jazz, local food trucks and booths serving a variety of Hispanic cuisine, artisan vendors, a dominoes competition, and more.
The festival is free to attend and takes place between Centre Street and Ash Street near the Green Turtle Tavern.
Plan Your October Getaway to Amelia Island
From jazz and live music to local food, craft beverages, outdoor adventures, and community festivals, October offers plenty of ways to experience Amelia Island.
Make a weekend of your favorite event, explore historic downtown Fernandina Beach, spend some time by the water, and enjoy everything the island has to offer this time of year.
Find your place to stay and start planning your October visit to Amelia Island.
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