ST. AUGUSTINE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS IN FLORIDA

Step into the enchanting glow of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida! As the ancient city of St. Augustine’s historic district transforms into a twinkling wonderland, immerse yourself this holiday season in the magic of millions of sparkling lights, illuminating historic streets and filling the air with festive cheer. Join us on a journey through this holiday spectacle where history meets holiday spirit in the Sunshine State.

Honoring the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during Christmas, and continuing this ancient holiday practice, St. Augustine, the Nation’s oldest city, transforms its downtown area into a winter wonderland during this time of year.  

The magical atmosphere is what holiday memories are made of! Named one of the top ten holiday displays in the world by National Geographic Magazine, it continues to thrill and excite year after year. With billions of stunning lights, special seasonal tours, and a special Holiday Regata, Historic St. Augustine is the best way to kick off the Christmas Holidays!

WITH OUR ULTIMATE GUIDE YOU’LL…

Discover why the city of St. Augustine is a must-see holiday extravaganza! We’ll let you in on:

• all the local hot spots
• where and when to grab parking in downtown St. Augustine and where to avoid
• special events
• where to stay

So kick back, grab your calendar, and plan your EPIC Holiday adventure to America’s oldest city!

​WHEN IS ST. AUGUSTINE’S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS!?

The award-winning holiday lights kick off its 30th season from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in historic St. Augustine. During the seasonal display, businesses downtown stay open later, letting you dine with a view of the lights and browse the shops of the decorated historic buildings. 

White lights drape the city’s unique Spanish Colonial architecture and twinkle and glow from the downtown sidewalks to the rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions, and throughout approximately 20 blocks. Inns and restaurants join in the holiday fun as well.

With three million tiny white lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months, this ANNUAL EVENT in St. Augustine glows with dazzling light displays and people flocking to enjoy it. Every nook and cranny is dressed to perfection in holiday cheer. And, if you are lucky, Florida will outshine Herself and deliver SPECTACULAR chilly weather! It’s the BEST!

SO…WHERE CAN I SEE THE LIGHTS!?

I know what you’re thinking…you JUST said the lights are ALL OVER historic downtown St. Augustine, right!? Yes, but, EVERY YEAR at some point during the day, we hear this EXACT question asked by first-timers. The excitement of the whole event takes over our normal logic and to be frank, we ALL become kids again on Christmas morning during this festive event.  

So, if you find yourself all of a sudden forgetting all the research you did, go ahead and ask! We get it! Honestly, you don’t know what you don’t know, but, I am here to spill the secret! St. Augustine Night of Lights is EVERYWHERE Friends! It’s going to blow your minds.

Looking for some daytime fun during St. Augustine Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida!? We thought so!

​LOCAL PRO TIP: The top two spots for the best views of St. Augustine Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida are: 

• Plaza De La Constitución-Get the perfect holiday Instagrammable selfie in front of the Christmas tree at the plaza. It’s AMAZING!
• The Bridge of Lions– Take a romantic stroll to the top and enjoy the GLORIOUS view. The lights sparkle like diamonds as they reflect off the water.
• Hop aboard the Schooner Freedom for an unforgettable sunset cruise. You’ll get to see the lights come on and the city of St. Augustine come alive! It’s breathtaking. (More on this below!)

GRAB SOME FLORIDA CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH THESE TOP WAYS TO SEE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS.

St. Augustine Nights of Lights offers special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas of Historic St. Augustine and give different options for the whole family. Specialty tours include everything from walking to electric cart tours, and even tours to see the lights from the water which gives a completely different perspective. 

Take the trolley tour!

Jump aboard the Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Holiday Tour. Perfect for the family and if this is your first visit, it’s a great place to begin. The tours depart nightly at 6 p.m. from the Visitor Information Center. The tour features homemade cookies, hot apple cider, and a pair of special complimentary 3-d glasses designed to elevate your glowing surroundings to even more amazing heights!

See the Sights By Train.

Head over to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum and hop on Santa’s Red Express Tours located at 19 San Marco Ave. A 30-minute “light seeing” tour throughout Historic Downtown, they also offer “special” magical glasses and lots of singing! 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! These are two SUPER FUN options BUT from past experience, the roof cuts off a lot of the view of the lights.

See the sparkle from the water.

One of the best ways to fully enjoy the Nights of Lights is out on the water! Our personal favorite is the Schooner Freedom! We have done both the Sunset Cruise AND the Moonlit Cruise during St. Augustine Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida. Here’s what we loved: the Sunset Cruise, while great for families, is also perfect for a romantic date night!

The schooner is gorgeous, the staff is AMAZING, and the views are spectacular! The moment the lights come on is a moment you won’t surely forget. Others include: Florida Water Tours, St. Augustine Eco Tours, and The Black Raven.

PRO TIP: Book early to reserve your choice of cruise. Spots fill up quickly. We have also been fortunate enough to grab a cancellation so don’t be shy about stalking their phone!

A romantic carriage ride.

This is a must-do! This romantic carriage ride takes you through the main downtown historic areas. A blissful 45-minute carriage ride, you’ll cuddle up under the stars and enjoy the excitement all around you! Tours depart from the Bayfront near the Castillo de San Marcos. Country Carriages does an excellent job with its history lesson and customer service. Last year, our carriage ride was canceled due to inclement weather, and a full refund was issued immediately.

Into the group thing!? FANTASTIC! Grab a larger carriage for the whole group!

MORE MERRY AND BRIGHT THINGS TO DO!

St. Augustine knows how to party all season long with something for everyone! The holiday festivities kick off with Light-Up Night! and include everything from the Christmas Regata to a tasting tour with Merry Grinchmas. So, whether you are flying solo, with a special someone, or celebrating the holidays with family, St. Augustine Nights of Lights has something for everyone. Here are a few cool ones:

• Holly Jolly Shopping Spree

• Holiday Regatta of Lights

EAT LIKE A LOCAL DURING ST. AUGUSTINE’S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS

Here’s the deal. As magical as Nights of Lights is, NOT being able to get in somewhere to eat is not! While all the bars and restaurants stay open later during this event, there’s still no guarantee you’ll get seated. And, they DO NOT take reservations. That being said, here are our tips and tricks to get your belly full before midnight!

• Eat on Anastasia Island to beat the crowds. We love Mellow Mushroom.
• Plan to eat a late lunch early dinner between 3:30-4:30. This will get you in and you can relax and not be rushed. If eating late is ok, have a ball! We like to do a “food Crawl” and enjoy the festive atmosphere!
• BEST restaurant with a view is Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila. Ask for a seat on the balcony that overlooks the Bayfront. Besides excellent food, you have a front row seat to the lights and people watching! Our other favorites are The Ice Plant, Treylor Park, and The Blue Hen. If you know, you KNOW!

We think you’ll enjoy this fun local foodie spot during St. Augustine Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida.

COOL DIGGS WHILE VISITING ST. AUGUSTINE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS

Depending on your budget, St. Augustine offers diverse accommodations from airbnb’s, tiny houses, condos, B & B’s, and hotels. A simple Google search will give you the top listings. Look toward Anastasia Island and the Crescent Beach areas. They have better prices and are going to be far less crowded.

Our top picks are: The Hampton Inn in downtown Historic St. Augustine, The Victorian House B&B, and Quail Hollow Condos in Crescent Beach as well as many other great options for a roomier stay.

Our favorite way to stay is to camp! Anastasia State Park is just a short drive over the Bridge of Lions. What’s awesome is the price. For $36/night, it makes for a pretty affordable vaca! During the day, you can kayak, head out to the beach, or chill in a hammock!

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE PARKING FOR NIGHTS OF LIGHTS…

It’s horrible and very messy. So here are our top tricks to avoid being towed, experiencing a hit-and-run,(people get crazy trying to park), when and where to park, and using the free shuttle service.

• Go EARLY in the day and park & pay. Leave your car. Go have fun. We circled for an hour last year before giving up and heading back to camp. Try to stay out of over crowded parking areas. There’s always the possibility of getting blocked or bumped.
• The parking garage will fill up fast. Again, go early.
• Private parking lots are available. A convenient option at a premium price. Bring cash.
• Take advantage of the free parking and shuttle offered. Shuttles run from 1:00 – 11:00 in downtown St. Augustine, and from 4:00-11:00 on Anastasia Island.
• If there is a special event and you are coming from the Anastasia Island side, leave EARLY. The Bridge of Lions will back up and you will spend a couple hours of your life sitting in traffic and miss the special event. Ahem…the Holiday of Lights Regata!

PRO TIP: For great parking along the Bayfront, park first thing that morning. Make sure you fed the meter if there is one and go explore. You may also score a spot after 1:30 during that in-between time.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO ST. AUGUSTINE’S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS!?

We want to know! What were your favorite places to eat? Do you have any tips and tricks to share with us? How about a discovered hidden gem? Let us know down in the comments!

FINAL THOUGHTS...

Wrap up your holiday season with a flourish at St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Christmas in Florida, where the historic charm of America’s oldest city meets a dazzling display of festive lights. Whether you’re strolling beneath the twinkling canopy or enjoying seasonal treats, we hope you immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays and experience the magic firsthand. Discover why this annual tradition is a must-see destination and make your winter sparkle in the heart of the Sunshine State! Happy Wandering!