You’ll never forget Nights of Lights in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches… Florida’s Historic Coast!
Nightly through January 31, 2018, St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 and 2012 as one of the 10 best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights feature millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City.
The best way to experience Nights of Lights is to plan an overnight stay so you can soak up the sparkly, festive atmosphere and enjoy all the dining, tours and entertainment this award-winning holiday celebration has to offer.
Nights of Lights can always be enjoyed on foot, by bicycle or pedicab, on the Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour or the Ripley’s Red Train, or by horse and carriage.
Free Park-and- Ride Nights of Lights Shuttle
The City of St. Augustine will once again offer a free park-and-ride shuttle every Saturday during Nights of Lights.
The shuttle will operate from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. from two parking locations north of the downtown: the St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, and the San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Ave.
Parking throughout the event is available for a fee in the St. Augustine Downtown Parking Garage, located off Castillo Drive.
Nights of Lights Events by Location
St. Augustine’s annual Nights of Lights takes place during the holiday season and features events throughout the area.
Downtown St. Augustine
The first weekend in December features a Christmas parade and the annual Christmas Tour of Homes presented by the St. Augustine Garden Club, while the following weekend features the seagoing Regatta of Lights and the two-day Holiday Tour of Inns.
Parking is available at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility – best of all, the events are within convenient walking distance of each other. And while you’re out and about, warm up with some hot chocolate. Whetstones Chocolates on King Street and Claude’s Chocolates on Granada Street offer decadent handcrafted versions of the drink.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
At 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday in December, the grounds of the historic St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum are opened to the public for Luminary Night. The Keeper’s House is as beautifully decorated as it was in the Victorian Age, Santa comes to visit with the children, and the walking paths and grounds are lit with thousands of luminaries.
Climb to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of the luminaries below and the lights of St. Augustine across the bay. Get there early and park in the lighthouse parking lot – otherwise it can be a hike.
St. Augustine Beach
On Dec. 31, Beach Blast Off comes to the pier. Live music, food and fireworks on the beach create a great way to greet the new year. The seawall behind the Cultural Center is a great vantage point. For the best parking, get there early and use the public lots along A1A.
