⭐ Our Favorite Events This Weekend
The first week of school is officially in the books — and we’d say that deserves a little weekend fun! Kick things off Friday at Pine Island Academy’s Back to School Bash, with inflatables, games, activities, and snow cones making the transition back to school a little sweeter. On Saturday, stay close to home for the Nocatee Farmers Market: Island Experience, where 70+ vendors, Hula dancing, and Flame Dancing bring a taste of the islands to Town Center. Or make the trip down to St. Augustine Pier to cheer on young surfers at the Gnarly Charley’s Youth Surf Competition. After a week of alarms, backpacks, and packed lunches, consider this your reward!
Back to School Bash
📍 Pine Island Academy (~11 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Friday
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Kick off the school year with inflatables, games, activities, and snow cones at this free PTO-sponsored celebration for the whole family.
Nocatee Farmers Market: Island Experience
📍 Nocatee Town Center (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Saturday
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Browse over 70 local vendors, enjoy exciting Hula and Flame Dancing shows, and soak up a fun-filled morning with the whole family.
Gnarly Charley's Youth Surf Competition
📍 St. Augustine Pier (~43 min 🚗)
🕐 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Saturday
🎟️ $50 to compete
🧒 Youth divisions (16 & under)
🔗 More info here
Young surfers hit the waves in push, foam board, longboard, and bodyboard divisions — a fun, cheer-worthy day at the pier for the whole family.
👇 Keep scrolling for every kid & family event happening this weekend 👇
📅 Friday, August 14
Back to School Bash
📍 Pine Island Academy (~11 min 🚗)
🕐 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Kick off the school year with inflatables, games, activities, and snow cones at this free PTO-sponsored celebration for the whole family.
Food Truck Friday
📍 Nocatee Station Field (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages (21+ area available)
🔗 More info here
A Nocatee family favorite twice a month — gather your crew for a variety of local food trucks and live music by Billy Buchanan at Nocatee Station Field.
Parents Night Out
📍 Ancient City Gymnastics (~38 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ $20
🧒 Ages 4–12
🔗 More info here (scroll down to flyer)
Drop the kids off for a supervised evening of gymnastics-based games and fun while you enjoy a well-deserved night out.
📅 Saturday, August 15
Gnarly Charley's Youth Surf Competition
📍 St. Augustine Pier (~43 min 🚗)
🕐 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
🎟️ $50 to compete
🧒 Youth divisions (16 & under)
🔗 More info here
Young surfers hit the waves in push, foam board, longboard, and bodyboard divisions — a fun, cheer-worthy day at the pier for the whole family.
GTM Beach Exploration Guided Walk
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~23 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Join a docent-led beach walk to learn about coastal animals, habitats, and seashells — starting at the Visitor Center before heading to the shore.
Nocatee Farmers Market: Island Experience
📍 Nocatee Town Center (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Browse over 70 local vendors, enjoy exciting Hula and Flame Dancing shows, and soak up a fun-filled morning with the whole family.
Coconut Barrel 8th Anniversary Celebration
📍 Coconut Barrel (~37 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Celebrate 8 years of local artisans and makers with a day of creativity, community, and family-friendly fun.
Summer Nights at the Zoo
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟️ $35 per person
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Explore the Zoo after hours with a guide to discover nocturnal animal behavior, behind-the-scenes stops, and up-close encounters.
Movies in the Park - Back to the Future
📍 Johansen Park, Atlantic Beach (~36 min 🚗)
🕐 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Kinda late and a little far, but for the adventerous… bring a blanket, bug spray, chairs, and snacks and go Back to the Future and enjoy this absolute all time classic family movie under the canopy of oaks at Johansen Park.
📅 Sunday, August 16
Guided Bird Walk
📍 Anastasia State Park (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM
🎟️ $2–$8 per vehicle
👪 All ages
🔗 More info here
Explore the park's habitats on a naturalist-led bird-watching walk in search of local species — a peaceful morning outdoors for budding nature lovers.
The Costume Club Workshop - Corset Making
📍 Cut Up and Sew, St. Augustine (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 12:30 PM – 4:45 PM
🎟️ $15
🧒 Older kids & teens
🔗 More info here
A hands-on workshop teaching cosplay, historical, and theatrical costume-making — perfect for creative kids who love to sew and dress up.
That's it for this week.
Please let us know if you have any feedback or how we can improve. We want to make 2026 the best year yet!
The Carts & Rec Team
P.S.
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