Surfers for Autism Surf Festival – August 29, 2026 at 7th Street South, Flagler Beach
Once a year, the sand off 7th Street South fills with surfboards, volunteers in matching shirts, and some of the biggest smiles you'll ever see on a Florida beach. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the 14th Annual Surfers for Autism Flagler Beach Surf Festival returns — a completely free beach and surf festival for children and adults with autism and related developmental delays, and one of the most heartwarming events on the entire Flagler County calendar.
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Event Details
Event Name: 14th Annual Surfers for Autism Flagler Beach Surf Festival
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: 7th Street South beach access, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 (along S. A1A near the pier)
Cost: Free for participants, volunteers, and spectators
The Mission Behind the Magic
Surfers for Autism was founded in 2008 by South Florida surfers who witnessed the impact of surfing's healing magic on children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. What began with a single event at Deerfield Beach has grown into a statewide movement dedicated to unlocking the potential of children and adults with autism, building awareness, and uniting communities through volunteerism. Flagler Beach has embraced the festival for well over a decade — the local surf community counts it among its signature annual events alongside the Tommy Tant Memorial and the MayDay Classic.
Every SFA festival is provided completely free to participants and their families. Large events register around 200 participants supported by more than 600 volunteers — including experienced surf instructors who guide each participant safely into the waves — and even provide a free lunch for up to 1,200 people, donated by area restaurants.
What the Day Looks Like
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the beach transforms into a festival of inclusion: surf sessions running all day, music, raffles, and vendor tents on the sand. Participants are paired with trained volunteers for their time in the water, and the cheers when a first-time surfer rides a wave to shore are genuinely unforgettable. Participant registration typically opens on surfersforautism.org about two weeks before the event, and a signed waiver is required for participants and volunteers — print it and bring it to check-in. No surfing experience is needed to volunteer on the beach.
Come Cheer
Even if you're not registering or volunteering, come watch — spectators' cheers are part of the magic. Parking fills fast along A1A on event mornings; the 7th Street South lot is a smart bet, and arriving early is smarter. End your Flagler County summer with a full heart.
Thinking About Calling Flagler County Home?
Events like this are exactly why so many people fall in love with life in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches — a genuine community, a beautiful coastline, and a calendar that never sits still. If you're dreaming about making this lifestyle your everyday reality, the Fernandes Team with eXp Realty would love to help. From first-time buyers to families relocating to Northeast Florida, Denise and Jayme Fernandes know every corner of this community and can help you find the perfect place to call home.
