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!
A Special Third-Saturday Historic Cemetery Tour
Available only on the third Saturday of each month, this itinerary guides visitors through St. Augustine’s most storied cemeteries—each reflecting centuries of faith, culture, and community history—before ending the day with a ghost tour or paranormal investigation.
The day begins at the Mission Nombre de Dios, where Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on September 8, 1565, and claimed the site for Spain and the Church. The grounds later became an active burial site beginning in 1884, following the closure of Tolomato and Huguenot cemeteries. Visitors can explore the peaceful waterfront setting and its deep historical roots. Open Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday noon–4 p.m.
The journey continues at San Lorenzo Catholic Cemetery, established in 1892 by Bishop John Moore. The cemetery is the resting place of numerous veterans—including Confederate soldiers—as well as Major League Baseball player Lyle Judy. Older graves can be found near Old Moultrie Road, with the earliest marked headstone dating back to 1868. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, it offers quiet pathways for reflection and discovery.
Located just outside the City Gate, Huguenot Cemetery served as a Protestant burial ground from 1821 to 1884. Visitors may tour the cemetery from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., learning about those buried here and the site’s role beyond the original walled Spanish colonial city. Its historic markers and preserved landscape tell the story of early residents and community life during the 19th century.
Across the street, Tolomato Cemetery offers docent-led and self-guided tours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. As the oldest planned cemetery still in existence in Florida, Tolomato includes burials from the First Spanish Period (1565–1763). Originally a burial place for Christian Indians and later for Spanish Catholics, the cemetery closed in 1884 and remains one of the city’s most significant historic sites.
The final daytime stop is St. Augustine National Cemetery, located on the grounds of the Florida National Guard compound just south of St. Francis Barracks. In use since at least 1763, it is Florida’s oldest national military cemetery. The grounds include burials from the Second Seminole War (1835–1842) and feature one of only ten national cemeteries in the United States that flies an illuminated flag 24 hours a day. The cemetery is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Close out the day with the ghost tour or paranormal investigation arranged that morning—an atmospheric way to experience St. Augustine’s paranormal legends and nighttime charm.
