May 8–17, 2026, Amelia Island, FL
Ten days of fun for adults and children!
The 2026 Wild Amelia Nature Festival offers a variety of fun events introducing visitors to our diverse local ecosystems, the wonderful creatures that inhabit them, and the vital and urgent need to preserve them.
Beginning Friday, May 8, with a Sunset River Cruise fundraiser, enjoy ten fun-filled days of live music (click to see the list), ecotours, Wild Storytime events for kids and adults, Downtown to Dunes community cleanup Saturday, May 9, The Last Castle to raise awareness for sea turtle nesting season, Wednesday - Saturday May 13-16, and a very special Nature Photography Celebration at Ft. Clinch Visitors Center, Friday, May 15. The week of events culminates with a beachside Eco-Expo on Saturday, May 16, and a closing event, Concerts for Conservation on Sunday, May 17.
Saturday, May 16, the Eco-Expo, 10 am to 3 pm, Main Beach Park, is featured as part of Nassau County's Opening of the Beaches event. There will be something for everyone at this awesome family event. Come relax, have fun, and get in touch with nature beside the ocean!
- Exhibits by environmental organizations
- Live animal exhibits - get up close and personal
- Pet adoption with Nassau County Animal Services and Tails of the Trail
- Kids Markets
- Last Castle - Sand Sculpture
- Music by local artists
- Food trucks, a beer garden, and a water refill station to quench your thirst and keep you hydrated
- Attractions for children include hands-on nature projects, live animal exhibits, bounce houses, and a Nature Activity with gifts for completed activity quiz
For volunteer opportunities click here.
For a CALENDAR OF ALL EVENTS MAY 8–17 click here.
Hands-on nature activities
Animal Exhibits
Environmental Exhibitors
Eco-Expo & Opening of the Beaches, Saturday May 16, 2026
Kids Markets
In addition to the 40+ environmental exhibitors participating in the Eco-Expo, Saturday, May 16, the Kid's Markets will bring 30 booths for shopping from entrepreneurs ages 5 - 17. Kids showcase their creativity and run their own business at the Kid's Markets—sell their products, learn real business skills, and keep their profits!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2026 Ecotours, Special Events & Wild Storytime
THESE TOURS AVAILABLE EVERY DAY, MAY 9 - 15
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Lofton Creek (daily)
9 am Cost: $65
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Fernandina Fossils & Co, Shark Tooth & Fossil Hunt, North Beach (daily)
9 - 11:30 am Cost: $99
Register: https://tinyurl.com/4z26yx6s
Paddle Jax Amelia, Kayak Lofton Creek (daily)
9:30 am and 2 pm Cost: $60
Register: www.paddlejaxamelia.com
Amelia River Cruises, Cumberland Island, Cumberland Coastal and Sunset Boat Tours (daily)
Schedule Your Cruise Cost: Varies
Register: http://www.ameliarivercruises.com
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FRIDAY, MAY 8
Paddle Jax Amelia, Kayak Lofton Creek (daily)
9:30 am and 2 pm Cost: $60
Register: www.paddlejaxamelia.com
Pedego Electric Bike Amelia, Book a Tour
10 am Cost: $85
Register: www.pedegoamelia.com
Amelia River Cruises, Wild Amelia Nature Festival Fundraiser
7 pm Cost: $60 / $45 (KNB Members - must use your promo code for 25% discount)
Become a KNB Member: https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/join-us/#membership
Register: www.ameliarivercruises.com
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SATURDAY, MAY 9
Downtown to Dunes, Community Cleanup to Remove Litter & Debris
9 am Cost: Free (Event t-shirt while supply lasts)
Register: https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/events/
Zen on the Greenway with Maria Murphy, LMHC – Licensed Psychotherapist, and Lurane Worth, RN,MA, RYT - Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
9 am - 10 am Cost: Free
Register: https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/volunteer-events/
Amelia's Native Wildflowers
10am - 2pm Cost: Native plants for sale
Registration not needed, https://www.anwfl.com/
Pedego Electric Bike Amelia, Book a Tour
10 am Cost: $85
Register: www.pedegoamelia.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Egans Creek
1:15 pm Cost: $75
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Jaybird Hammock Farm, Mother's Day Meditation & Sound Bath in Pine Forest Hammocks
8pm - 9:30pm Cost:$58.30
Register: https://www.jaybirdhammockfarm.com/
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SUNDAY, MAY 10 (Mother's Day)
Mom’s Day Guided Walk on the Greenway with Christina Nelson, Amelia Naturally
10 am - 11 am Cost: Free to kids and moms (Gift for all Moms), $10 others
Register: https://MothersDayWalk.eventbrite.com
Pedego Electric Bike Amelia, Book a Tour
10 am Cost: $85
Register: www.pedegoamelia.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Egans Creek
2:15 pm Cost: $75
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Jaybird Hammock Farm, Mother's Day Meditation & Sound Bath in Pine Forest Hammocks
8pm - 9:30pm Cost:$58.30
Register: https://www.jaybirdhammockfarm.com/
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MONDAY, MAY 11
Sunrise with Spoonbills, guided by Christina Nelson, Amelia Naturally, Spoonbill Pond
7 - 8:30 am Cost: Free for under 12, $10 all others
Register: https://tinyurl.com/4faewcpp
Birding Tour, guided by Bill George, Amelia Island Bird Club, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
8 am - 11 am Cost: Free
Register: https://BirdingTour.eventbrite.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Talbot Islands
10 am Cost: $90
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
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TUESDAY, MAY 12
Native Plants on the Greenway with Betsy Harris, Ixia Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
9am - 11am Cost: Free
Register: https://NativePlantsMorning.eventbrite.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Talbot Islands
10:45 am Cost: $90
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Wild Nite Nature Presentation, Raccoon Rescue with Tows and Tails, Kristen Littles and Crystal
6 pm - 7 pm Cost: Free
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985475383319?aff=oddtdtcreator
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
The Maritime Forest and Salt Marsh with City of Fernandina Beach Urban Forester & Environmental and Conservation Coordinator, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
10 am - 11:30 am Cost: Free
Register: https://ForestandSaltmarsh.eventbrite.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Talbot Islands
11:45 am Cost: $90
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Sunset with the Birds with Christina Nelson, Amelia Naturally, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
7 pm - 8:30 pm Cost: $10
Register: https://SunsetwiththeBirds.eventbrite.com
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THURSDAY, MAY 14
Pedego Electric Bike Amelia, Book a Tour
10 am Cost: $85
Register: www.pedegoamelia.com
Amelia Adventures, Kayak Talbot Islands
12:30 pm Cost: $90
Register: https://www.ameliaadventures.com
Native Plants on the Greenway with Betsy Harris, Ixia Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
5:30 pm - 7 pm Cost: Free
Register: https://NativePlantsEvening.eventbrite.com
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FRIDAY, MAY 15
Butterfly Walk, Project Monarch and Xerces Society Research, with Kathy Russell and Patty Sheffer, Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway
10 am - 11:30 am Cost: Free
Register: https://ButterflyWalkGreenway.eventbrite.com
Pedego Electric Bike Amelia, Book a Tour
10 am Cost: $85
Register: www.pedegoamelia.com
Sierra Club guided walk, Willow Pond, Ft Clinch State Park
1 - 3 pm Cost: Free with $6 entrance fee into the State Park
Register:: https://www.meetup.com/sierra-club-nassau-county-florida/
Wild Amelia Nature Photography Celebration with Brandon and Amy, Ft. Clinch Visitors Center
6 pm - 8 pm Cost: Free
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980334519858?aff=oddtdtcreator
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SATURDAY, MAY 16
Wild Amelia Eco-Expo, Main Beach Park
10 am - 3 pm Cost: Free
Nassau County Opening of the Beaches, Main Beach Park
10 am - 6pm Cost: Free
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SUNDAY, MAY 17
Concerts for Conservation, a donation based fundraiser, Atlantic Recreation Center front lawn
2 pm - 4 pm Cost: Free
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987362099538?aff=oddtdtcreator
WILD STORYTIME
These events are all free of charge and for kids of any age.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Story & Song Wild Storytime with Ms. Dearsha. A reading adventure celebrating our amazing natural world. Kids program.
10:30 am Cost: Free
Info: storyandsongarts.org/
MONDAY, MAY 11
Hilliard Branch of the Nassau County Library Wild Storytime - features a nature-based theme for kids.
11 am Cost: Free
Info: https://nassaureads.com/events/
Story & Song Wild Storytime with Ms. Dearsha. A reading adventure celebrating our amazing natural world. Kids program.
2 pm Cost: Free
Info: storyandsongarts.org/
TUESDAY, MAY 12
Fernandina Beach Branch of the Nassau County Library Wild Storytime - features a nature-based theme for kids.
11 am Cost: Free
Info: https://nassaureads.com/events/
Story & Song Wild Storytime with Chip Kirkpatrick. Tales with Tails Storytelling. Kids program.
11 am Cost: Free
Info: storyandsongarts.org/
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Yulee Branch of the Nassau County Library Wild Storytime - features a nature-based theme for kids.
10 am or 11 am Cost: Free
Info: https://nassaureads.com/events/
Story & Song Wild Storytime screening of "Living in Our Maritime Forest", written and narrated by Munsell McPhillips and produced by Amelia Tree Conservancy.
2 pm Cost: Free
Info: storyandsongarts.org/
THURSDAY, MAY 14
Callahan Branch of the Nassau County Library Wild Storytime - features a nature-based theme for kids.
11 am Cost: Free
Info: https://nassaureads.com/events/
The Book Loft reading time for kids, "Crystal is Accepted" with Kristen and Crystal, written and read by Kristen Littles, Tows and Tails, a licensed animal rehab organization. With special guest Crystal the raccoon. Kids program.
2 pm Cost: Free
Info: https://thebookloftamelia.com/events
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Fernandina Beach Branch of the Nassau County Library Wild Storytime - features a nature-based theme for kids.
11 am Cost: Free
Info: https://nassaureads.com/events/
SPECIAL EVENT - Sand Sculpture with professional sand carvers
Three Days of Music
- Friday, May 15, Brandon Hester and Amy Basse at the Wild Amelia Nature Photography Celebration, Ft Clinch Welcome Center, 6 - 8 pm. Brandon Hester and Amy Basse; a music duo who bring a beautiful blend of strings and vocals! Primarily playing all of the classic folk you know and love.
- Saturday, May 16, Nassau County Opening of the Beaches, Main Beach Park, 10 am - 6 pm.
- Musical line-up: Brian Ernst, Laid Back, Andria Shinn and the Loyal Souls, The Honey Badgers, and headliner The Boogie Freaks.
- Sunday, May 17, Concerts for Conservation, 2 - 4 pm. A donations based fundraiser to support projects that raise awareness for the importance of conservation to our community's well being. An open mic format, musicians and vocalists will play music and sing.
Live Animals*
Saturday May 16, Main Beach Park, 10 am - 3 pm
- Bat Conservancy, bats
- HoneyBee Hut, honeybees
- Jacksonville Herpetological Society, animal ambassadors
- Kaleidoscope Mind Community Farm, goats
- Nassau County Animal Services (for volunteers, foster and adoption)
- Nassau County Beekeepers, honeybees
- Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa, Nature Center, reptiles
- Otterspace Wildlife, animal ambassadors
- Rattlesnake Conservancy, snakes
- Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida, animal ambassadors
- Wild Wonders Animal Show, animal ambassadors
*Subject to weather conditions
Food Trucks
Saturday May 16, Main Beach Park, 10 am - 6 pm
Green policy will be encouraged - no plastic straws, minimize single-use plastic serving containers and bottles.
- Jax Taco
- Raphael's Pizza
- Voodoo Shrimp
- Philly Boyz Cheesesteaks
- Ruby's Waffle Bar & Creamery
- Kona Ice
- I Pie Something Sweet
- Dixie's Fair Funnel Cakes