Each year, the city celebrates the original September 8, 1565 landing by the Spanish with its annual Founder’s Day Commemoration. The celebration of the founding of the city by Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés takes place at the Mission Nombre de Dios and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park with activities from 10 AM until 3 PM on Saturday, September 9th, 2023.

The 458th Founder's Day celebration includes a reenactment of the landing of Menendez and his crew at the Mission Nombre de Dios, a Mass at the Rustic Altar, a grand procession, cannon and musket salutes, and a Thanksgiving meal at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the site of the first Spanish settlement. The celebration is aided by historical reenactors dressed in traditional Spanish garb.

This event is free at the Mission Nombre de Dios. St. Johns County residents get in free at the Fountain of Youth; non-residents will be required to pay full admission.