Experience the Magic of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights
Event Dates and Times
Dates: Nightly from November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025
Time: Lights turn on at dusk and shine throughout the night
When the holiday season arrives, St. Augustine transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling white lights illuminating the city. Recognized by National Geographic as one of the “10 Best Holiday Displays in the World,” Nights of Lights is an award-winning tradition you won’t want to miss!
Getting to Nights of Lights
Free Shuttle Service
Avoid the hassle of parking by using the Nights of Lights Free Shuttle! On select nights, visitors can park for free at three locations and take a shuttle into Historic Downtown St. Augustine.
Shuttle Dates:
- Thanksgiving Weekend: Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25
- Every Saturday in December: December 2, 9, 16, 23
- Christmas Week: Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29
Note: Shuttles do not operate on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Shuttle Pickup Locations:
- San Marco Lot: 301 San Marco Avenue
- St. Johns County Health Department: 200 San Sebastian View
- Broudy’s Lot (US 1 & W. King): 198 & 212 W. King St.
Shuttles run from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The last shuttle departs from the Visitor Information Center at 11:00 pm.
For more details on shuttle services, click here 👉 Shuttle Information
Parking Options During Nights of Lights
Historic Downtown Parking Facility
Located near the Visitor Information Center, the Historic Downtown Parking Facility offers plenty of parking and flexible rates:
- 7:00 am – 5:00 pm: $20
- 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: $5 (except for special event days when parking is $20 all day)
Note: Use a ParkNow card for additional savings at only $3 per entry.
Enjoy Festive Music at the Visitor Information Center
Nights of Lights Musical Performances
Sponsored by Old Town Trolleys, festive musical performances bring holiday cheer to the Visitor Information Center!
Performance Schedule:
From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on select evenings, enjoy the holiday music while waiting for your trolley or simply as a stop on your holiday stroll.
👉 View the Full Performance Schedule
Ways to Explore the Nights of Lights
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights has a variety of tour options to make your visit unforgettable.
Land Tours
Take a holiday trolley tour with Ripley’s Red Train or Old Town Trolley and experience the city while singing along to your favorite carols! Looking for something more intimate? Enjoy a Carriage Ride with The Tasting Tours—complete with complimentary wine and souvenir glasses!
Water Tours
See the lights from a new angle on the Matanzas River! Romantic and memorable, water tours are a long-standing favorite for locals and visitors alike. Options include Schooner Freedom Charters, St. Augustine Scenic Cruise, and St. Augustine Eco Tours.
Air Tours
For adventure seekers, First City Helicopters offers spectacular aerial views of the city illuminated in holiday lights. Reserve your spot early for this bucket-list experience!
Light-Up! Night: November 23, 2024
Kick off the holiday season with Light-Up! Night in the Plaza de la Constitución. The event begins with a performance by Showtime USA at 4:00 pm in front of St. Augustine’s City Hall. At 5:30 pm, enjoy the classic holiday sounds of the All Star Orchestra.
The Lighting Ceremony
6:30 pm marks the official lighting ceremony. As the switch is flipped, millions of lights illuminate the city, spreading holiday magic in every direction! Entertainment continues until 7:30 pm, giving you the chance to enjoy dinner, start your holiday shopping, or simply stroll under the enchanting lights.
👉 Learn More About Light-Up! Night
For more details, including a complete list of parking, shuttle info, and tour recommendations, visit the official Nights of Lights page.
