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Make the most of your visit to St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights! Download the St. Augustine Nights of Lights App for maps, tips, and event details right at your fingertips. Avoid downtown congestion by using the Free Park & Ride Shuttle—it’s the easiest way to reach the festivities stress-free. Plan ahead, arrive early, and enjoy the holiday charm safely and smoothly!
Nights of Lights has been listed among the top ten holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic. During this festival of lights, downtown St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City, and it's free of charge.
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The beloved Nights of Lights tradition in St. Augustine welcomes thousands of visitors each year. To make your experience safe, smooth, and enjoyable, here are a few important tips before you head out to see the lights:
Make the most of your visit by downloading the Nights of Lights app. The app provides everything you need at your fingertips, including:
Once downtown, remember that Nights of Lights is not a drive-through event—the city is meant to be experienced on foot. Stroll the historic streets, admire the lights up close, and take in the sights, sounds, shops, and restaurants along the way. Shuttle schedules and routes will be available soon, so check back for details before your visit.
With limited parking in the downtown area and heavy seasonal traffic, the best way to enjoy Nights of Lights is to use the convenient, free shuttle services. Shuttles bring visitors directly into the heart of the festivities, helping you avoid congestion and parking challenges.
Nights of Lights is an unforgettable event that draws large crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. Allow extra time for travel and be patient as you navigate busy roadways. Planning ahead and using the free shuttles will help reduce wait times and make your visit more relaxing and enjoyable.
Public safety is our top priority during Nights of Lights, and we ask all visitors to help keep the experience enjoyable for everyone — including the residents and businesses that make St. Augustine so special. Please be courteous and respectful of the community while you enjoy the lights.
To ensure a safe and positive experience:
By planning ahead, respecting the community, and choosing the shuttle, you’ll enjoy a safe, festive, and stress-free visit to St. Augustine’s sparkling Nights of Lights.
One of The Top 10 Holiday Light Displays in the World!National Geographic
Discover the most magical ways to experience St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights with our list of the Top 7 Ways to See the City Shine—from romantic carriage rides and waterfront cruises to guided walking tours and dazzling views from above.
Climb aboard the Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour. Tours depart nightly beginning at 6 p.m. from the Visitor Information Center.
Get on track for Nights of Lights on the Santa’s Red Train Tours. The tour begins at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.
Nights of Lights shines from the water, too. St. Augustine Eco Tours harbor tour of the Nights of Lights provides a peaceful way to experience the illuminated city aboard 6 or 12-passenger boats. Take in the view of Nights of Lights from the sea aboard the Schooner Freedom on the ship’s Sunset Sail. Florida Water Tours, Scenic Cruise, St. Augustine Boat Tours, St. Augustine Sailing, Fury Water Adventures, Adventure Boat Tours and Red Boat Tours also offer Nights of Lights boat cruises.
For a completely different perspective, climb 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. The sight of the entire city dressed in tiny white lights is a view to behold.
Experience the charm of Nights of Lights with a romantic horse-drawn carriage tour through St. Augustine’s historic streets. Departing daily from the Bayfront near the Castillo de San Marcos, these classic rides are perfect for couples or small groups looking to enjoy the city’s sparkling scenery.
Country Carriages offers traditional tours starting around $150 for groups of four and up, while The Tasting Tours hosts 45-minute wine and carriage rides, complete with a bottle of boutique wine to share. Private carriages are also available, along with festive family-friendly Roadster Rides with the Grinch and Santa.
Experience the magic of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights on a guided walking tour that blends history, folklore, and holiday charm.
St. Augustine City Walks offers a free one-hour tour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 p.m., while St. Augustine Experiences hosts 90-minute tours every evening at 5:30 p.m. Both explore illuminated landmarks like the Lightner Museum courtyard, Plaza de la Constitución, and the Bayfront, all aglow with more than two million lights.
For a fun and relaxing way to see the lights, take a group tour by golf cart or pedicab. Pineapple Ride and Tour offers intimate EV and pedicab experiences, while St. Augustine Land & Sea Tours provides guided tours in a luxury 12-seat golf cart. First Coast Cart Tours also offers private and small-group excursions through the city’s most dazzling displays, complete with knowledgeable guides who share the stories behind the sparkle.
Get a glimpse of the sparkle before you step into it! St. Augustine Live webcams let you see what’s happening in historic downtown St. Augustine during Nights of Lights — from twinkling streets and waterfront reflections to real-time traffic conditions.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights—from parking and shuttle details to event dates, tours, and tips for making the most of your visit to the Nation’s Oldest City.
The 2025–2026 Nights of Lights will shine every evening from November 15, 2025, through January 11, 2026. The festival begins with Light-Up! Night on November 15, featuring live entertainment starting at 4 p.m. and the official lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Nights of Lights is free and open to everyone—no tickets are required to enjoy the millions of twinkling white lights that illuminate the Nation’s Oldest City each night.
Nights of Lights is not a drive-through event—it’s meant to be experienced on foot. Visitors are encouraged to park at one of the designated satellite lots and take the free Park & Ride Shuttle into downtown. This is the easiest and least stressful way to enjoy the event while avoiding downtown congestion and limited parking.
The City of St. Augustine will offer a free Park & Ride Shuttle with multiple pick-up/drop-off locations on select days during the Nights of Lights season, making it easy to reach the festivities without the hassle of downtown parking.
The FREE Light Up! Night Park & Ride Shuttle will operate on Light Up! Night, November 15. Designated parking areas, shuttle routes and schedules will be posted the week of October 20, so check back for details before your visit.
Tens of thousands of people visit this city-wide holiday display each year, but not just for the stunning lights. There are also plenty of events that go on during the Nights of Lights on Florida's Historic Coast. Don't miss out on the annual holiday boat parades in Palm Valley and Matanzas Bay, Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, or the Candlelight Tours at Villa Zorayda Museum.
White lights drape the city’s unique Spanish Colonial architecture and glow from the downtown sidewalks to the rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions, along historic buildings, public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and inns throughout approximately 20 blocks of the Nation’s Oldest City’s historic district.
The top two spots to visit for the best views and Nights of Lights selfies are:
Get the perfect holiday selfie in front of the Christmas tree in the center of the plaza.
Walk the bridge to gaze back at the sparkling reflection of the lights along the water.
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