Uptown Saturday Nights and First Friday ArtWalks
make great art-lover weekend getaways.
Art, antiques and architecture create irresistible weekend getaways this fall in the Nation’s Oldest City. Recently selected by Orlando Sentinel readers as Central Florida’s favorite getaway, St. Augustine is popular with art lovers, antique shoppers and architecture admirers during First Friday Art Walk and Uptown Saturday Night weekends.
Antique dealers, art galleries, and other merchants in the city’s San Marco District, present Uptown Saturday Night, a festive atmosphere filled with hospitality and special deals. Uptown Saturday Nights take place on the last Saturday of each month. During this monthly event participating antique dealers provide workshops covering a variety of antique related topics, book stores provide readings and book signings by local authors, and art galleries feature exhibit openings of some of the finest Florida artists.
More than 30 of St. Augustine’s best art galleries participate in an expanded version of the art communities First Friday Art Walk. Participating galleries extend their hours on both Friday and Saturday nights with lively street music, hospitality and new works by Florida artists.
“Each month, two weekends provide an ideal Getaway for a weekend experience that is perfect for art aficionados, antique enthusiasts and folks looking for fun,†said Glenn Hastings, executive director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.
On the first Friday of each month First Friday Art Walk is the start of a weekend that feature’s the latest exhibit openings in more than 20 of the city’s finest art galleries. Each gallery hosts a free open house that offers visitors a chance to look at the latest art collection while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. Local artists are often in attendance to explain their work. Combined with live music performed at numerous locations, the art walk always becomes a lively and colorful street festival.
During the last weekend of each month, Uptown Saturday night the focus is on the incredible antique shopping opportunities that are available in the Oldest City. In the evening, the antique district concentrated along San Marco Avenue sparkles to life with lively street music and endless opportunities to shop for antiques, rare books – even authentic Spanish treasure. A short walk away, additional antique discoveries can be made along Aviles Street – the oldest street in America. Each participating shop features an open house with wine and refreshments that add to the festive nighttime atmosphere.
Veterans Remember the War Grand Opening Event : Local veterans will be at MOSH to explore MOSH’s limited-engagement exhibition, Veterans Remember the War. The day’s activities include hands-on history display and screenings of Ken Burns’ documentary, The War, and more. World War II veterans and active military will be admitted to the Museum free all weekend – November 10, 11 and 12.