Local Love - February 26

What We’re Loving
​ (And looking forward to)

February in St. Johns is all about love, and what better way to celebrate than by savoring great food, exploring creative experiences, and planning a calendar full of feel-good moments? Whether you’re date-night dining, art strolling, or marking your calendar for spring highlights, there’s plenty to feel excited about.


Bites Worth Falling For
When it comes to dining out, we’ve got two local spots on repeat this month:
Rustica Earth Sea Fire in Silverleaf continues to garner buzz for its globally inspired small plates and vibrant flavors, perfect for a cozy night out or special evening with friends.
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Pecan Craft Kitchen feels like an experience from the moment you walk in (if you are lucky enough to score a reservation). The staff is genuinely welcoming, the Bar Pecan’s beer, wine, and cocktail wall adds an element of fun, and the food is the real showstopper, locally sourced, nutrient-dense, and deeply satisfying. The Crazy Good Lollies drum sticks (tamarind BBQ glazed) are an amazing app. The DemKota Ranch Filet is our favorite main, and the tiny mason jar desserts are reason enough to save room, whether you enjoy them there or take them home. Everything is served with what they call “southern spirit”, kindness, grace, and the sense that they really want you to leave feeling good. www.pecancraftkitchen.com


Art, Music & Community
Art lovers can kick off the month with First Friday Art Walk in historic St. Augustine on February 6, where galleries like the St. Augustine Art Association and Butterfield Garage open their doors with refreshments, new exhibits, and vibrant downtown energy.


A Season of Opera
Looking forward to The First Coast Opera’s 2026 season that will transport local audiences to international stages with classic 19th-century masterpieces like Bizet’s Carmen and Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. The season kicks off with Fanfare!, a festive launch and fundraiser in October that includes dinner and musical previews celebrating the year ahead. www.firstcoastopera.com/season


Midweek Moves & Weekend Fun at Arnold’s Lounge
A friend recently tipped us off to one of the most unexpectedly fun midweek traditions around: line dancing every Wednesday night at Arnold’s Lounge on Ponce de Leon Boulevard. It’s casual, high-energy, and the kind of place where everyone, from first-timers to regulars, ends up on the floor by the end of the night.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Arnold’s keeps the calendar lively all week long, with live bands every Saturday night, karaoke on Mondays and Thursdays, Steak Night specials on Thursdays, and Ladies’ Night on Fridays. It’s easygoing, welcoming, and exactly the kind of spot where a simple night out turns into a favorite local ritual. www.arnoldslounge.com/event


Music Love: Fort Mose Jazz & Blues
One of the things we love most about February in our area is the return of Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, which celebrates its fifth year from February 6–15, 2026, at Fort Mose Historic State Park. Set on ground rich with history and meaning, the series brings together world-class music, community, and culture. It’s more than a concert series, it’s an experience that honors Fort Mose’s legacy as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States, while filling the air with some of the best sounds in jazz and blues today.
This year’s lineup is one we’re genuinely excited about, featuring Ledisi, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Cray Band, Ruthie Foster, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, and Samara Joy. Tickets are on sale now, with proceeds continuing to support the Fort Mose Historical Society and the preservation of this remarkable site. discoverfortmose.com


More Fun on the Calendar
February is also full of ways to get outside and connect. Join in on local paddles, cleanup days, and nature celebrations throughout the month organized around the region, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
We’re already looking forward to The Players Championship in March, when pros converge for one of golf’s most exciting stops, and the community comes alive with