St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum100 Red Cox Dr.
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Make your Christmas merry and bright with special events to celebrate the season.
The Christmas season in St. Augustine is known for its sensational Nights of Lights holiday display. During Nights of Lights, white lights glow from the sidewalks to the rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions and trail through approximately 20 city blocks in St. Augustine’s Historic District. Taking in the soft, magical glow of more than 3 million white lights is an unforgettable experience – which is why it’s considered one of the top light displays in the world.
When planning a holiday trip to Florida's Historic Coast to view Nights of Lights displays, keep these popular holiday events in mind:
Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a family-friendly tradition with activities for all ages. Visit with Santa, enjoy yuletide refreshments, and see the lighthouse’s spectacular holiday decorations and lighting displays. This year's event will take place on December 6, 2023.
New this year, Lighthouse Illuminations! See 21 different themed Christmas Trees on select nights at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. This year's event takes place November 22, 2023 through January 13, 2024.
Experience St. Augustine's annual Christmas Parade with floats, marching bands, cars, horses and the arrival of Santa. The parade starts at 9 a.m. by the Mission Nombre de Dios off San Marco Avenue and continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine. This year's event will take place on December 2, 2023.
In this event, historical interpreters recreate 18th century combined Spanish, British, French, colonial militia and Native American military arts, culture and lifestyles throughout the day at the Colonial Quarter and Castillo de San Marcos. The St. Augustine Colonial Night Watch Torchlight Parade is at 7 p.m. from the Castillo to the Governor's House Cultural Center & Museum. This year's events will take place on December 2, 2023.
Typically held on the second Saturday in December, this annual holiday tradition features boats decorated with brilliant lighted displays. The regatta will light up St. Augustine’s Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. This year's event will take place on December 9, 2023.
Celebrate Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem at Mission Nombre De Dios. The tour begins at 3 p.m. for Las Posadas and the Living Nativity and Eucharistic Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration is not a performance, people will come and go during the time it is open. This year's event will take place on December 16, 2023.
Celebrate the holiday season with the lighted boat parade in Ponte Vedra Beach. The parade route is seven miles of the Intracoastal and starts one mile south of the Palm Valley Bridge and travels north. This event takes place on December 2, 2023.
The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall rings in the season with special holiday concerts. A Choral Christmas presented by UNF Choirs kicks off the season with their acclaimed ensembles the Chamber Singers, Osprey Treble, and Coro Profundo. Peter White Christmas 20th Anniversary Special featuring Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala is sure to be a magical night of Christmas classics and smooth jazz hits.
The Hastings Hometown Christmas parade, beginning at 10 a.m., will take place down Main Street in Hastings starting at the W.E. Harris Community Center. Continue the holiday celebration after the parade at the Hastings Main Street Market until 3 p.m. at the newly restored old Ford Building, 301 N. Main St., Hastings. This events takes place on December 9, 2023
See light displays dance along with Christmas tunes at Christmas on the Farm at Sykes Family Farms. Enjoy a hayride through this ¾ miles drive thru Christmas light display at Sykes Family Farms. 2023 Date TBD.
Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season is easy. From antiques and eclectic treasures from local artisans to major designer brands, shoppers will delight in choices to fit every taste and budget. Art galleries, antiques stores and boutiques in St. Augustine’s historic downtown and Uptown shopping district are great spots to find local treasures. If you’re on the hunt for something truly special, give the resort boutiques and upscale shops in Ponte Vedra Beach a try.
Just 15 minutes outside the historic district is the St. Augustine Premium Outlets. Savvy and stylish shoppers can find gifts from Michael Kors, Coach, Converse and Tommy Hilfiger. St. Augustine Premium Outlets is located on the west sides of I-95 at Exit 318, offer everyday savings of up to 65 percent off retail prices on premium brands.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum100 Red Cox Dr.
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument1 South Castillo Dr.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall1050 A1A North
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
St. Augustine Premium Outlets®2700 State Rd. 16, Suite 200 - Mall Office
St. Augustine, Florida 32092
Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights begins November 18, 2023 and continues nightly through January 31, 2024.
Enjoy Plenty of Special Events during Nights of Lights
Holiday happenings you won’t want to miss during Nights of Lights.
Nights of Lights, by Land or by Sea, Safe a Spectacular Display
Enjoy the spectacular Nights of Lights tours and displays.
Top Holiday Performances and Concerts for 2023
Let us entertain you this season with live music, dance, drama and all kinds of magical events.
Holiday Happenings at St. Augustine Beach–and Beyond
Head for St. Augustine Beach for some pre-holiday cheer.
What’s Open for Christmas?
Looking for something to do on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Ring in the New Year on Florida’s Historic Coast
From the renowned Nights of Lights to fireworks at the beach, here are the top ways to ring in 202…
County Administration Building 500 San Sebastian View St. Augustine, FL 32084
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St. Augustine, FL 32084
Crisp-Ellert Art Museum 48 Sevilla Street St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 826-8530
Elisa Harkins, Teach Me A Song at Crisp-Ellert Art Museum48 Sevilla Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
The Music Man at Limelight Theatre11 Old Mission Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
'Ghost with the Most' Cocktail Tour24 Cathedral Place Suite 505
St. Augustine, FL 32084
P.A.St.A. October Feature Artist, Photography by Megan Holder214 Charlotte St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Yoga on the Lawn at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum20 Aviles St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Wednesday Pier Farmers Market350 A1A Beach Blvd.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
DESCENT ≈ An Atlas of Relation at Lightner Museum75 King St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Walking History Tour for History Buffs presented by Spyglass Travel10 W. Castillo Dr.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Lynyrd Skynyrd performs for TWO nights at The AMP1340 A1A S.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
FREE City Walks Pirates, Plunderers & Colonial History Tour4 Granada Street
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Award Winning WW2 Documentary: The Unimaginable Journey of Peter Ertel50 Sevilla St
St. Augustine, FL 32084