British Occupation (1763-1784) Celebrating with the British Night Watch
SHARING STORIES IS OUR BUSINESS
St Augustine British Occupation (1763-1784)
In early December of each year historic St. Augustine celebrates its brief 18th Century British occupation (1763-1784) with the British Night Watch and Grande Illumination.
The British Night Watch and Grande Illumination events are an example of the rich American history to be savored at our nation's oldest continually occupied city, St. Augustine, Florida.
Come experience life in St. Augustine during the 1763-1784 British occupation of the nation’s oldest city. See the British encampment located at the Colonial Spanish Quarter at 29 St. George Street. Colonial Spanish Quarter is open 9 a.m. to dusk each day. British encampment activities include a Fife and Drum Corps, authentic 18th century British soldiers, musket competitions and reenactors from Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and beyond. At 8 p.m., gather for the Grande Illumination and British Night Watch Parade. Watch and follow along as the pageantry of color and light unfold before your eyes. The pageantry reflects the customs of St. Augustine's 18th Century British occupants and begins at the Government House on the Plaza de la Constitucion. Following the parade the British Governor's holiday proclamation is read and soldiers fire their muskets in a Volley of Joy to salute the Advent season!
