Ultimate Guide to Nights of Lights 2026-2027

This is the 33rd Annual Nights of Lights celebration in the city of St. Augustine. This dazzling display of some three million white lights has become one of the most popular destinations during the holidays in Northeast Florida. The lights are on from November 21, 2026, to January 18, 2027.

Nights of Lights has made St. Augustine one of the '"Twinkliest Towns" in the nation according to Rachel Ray Magazine. It was also listed on National Geographic's "Top 10 Places in the World" (yes, as in "Planet Earth," "the Globe," "everywhere where any Christmas lights are found") to view holiday lights in 2012 and 2013, listed on "7-Over-The-Top Holiday Light Displays You Gotta See" by HuffPost in 2015, and on the "Top 20 Spots Across America to See Amazing Holiday Light Displays" by Country Living in 2014. By the time 2016 rolled around, we stopped watching the media lists because when it comes to insanely awesome light displays, St. Augustine reigns supreme, and ain't no one gonna dethrone us any time soon.

If you're already feeling overwhelmed, don't be! If you're new to the event, all the options can feel like a bit much, but that's why those of us here at VisitStAugustine.com have put together this Ultimate Guide to St. Augustine Nights of Lights—so that people can get in, have fun, and get out in one piece, as opposed to coming out tangled up in a ball of Christmas lights (that only happened once).

And speaking of tangled up, if getting tangled up in traffic isn't your game, the City of St. Augustine offers Free Park and Ride Shuttle service on select days for Nights of Lights. Learn more about where to park and the Free Park and Ride Shuttle schedule. 

A complete list of Nights of Lights tours and all the other holiday events going on in St. Augustine.

Know the history.

St. Augustine's Nights of Lights first started in 1993, and it's been lighting up the nation's oldest city ever since.

St. Augustine's Nights of Lights comes from the traditional Spanish practice of displaying a candle in windows during the Christmas holidays. Candles in the window allude to the biblical story where Mary and Joseph could find no room at the inn. When the Spanish put candles in their windows, they were symbolically making room in their homes and hearts for Jesus. It also reflects the welcoming attitude of the holiday season, welcoming guests to our home. The stunning lights reflect the city's more than 450 years of history and illuminate the beautiful cityscape for lasting holiday memories. The city of St. Augustine has been celebrating Nights of Lights for 33 years, and this year is sure to be another one for the books.

Arrive early.

Traffic and parking is a little more difficult than usual, as flocks of people come from all over the region to view the lights. There's a parking garage located near the Visitor Information Center which you can get to by turning onto Castillo Drive from US-1. Parking at the garage starts at $20.00 per day on days when the free Nights of Lights park-and-ride shuttles are not running from satellite parking lots. When the shuttles are running, the garage fee increases to $40.00. See below for all the details on the park-and-ride shuttles. 

Locals who live nearby or who own a bike should consider walking or biking to Nights of Lights. Just make sure your bike is equipped with its own set of lights and reflectors.

Grab some food.

Shrimp and scallops from Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille.

Make plans to have dinner and walk around. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the main plaza, and they'll all be open ready to serve Nights of Lights visitors. Harry's Seafood is just around the corner from the plaza and has a lovely patio that is lit up year-round to get you in the Nights of Lights mood. For other restaurants near the action, see the restaurant directory for Historic Downtown. 

Get something warm.

Hot cocoa at Kookaburra.

The nights can be cold (for Florida, which means around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 18 degrees Celsius), so even if you don't feel like sitting down for a full meal, it'll be a good idea to grab something warm to eat or drink. If you want to grab a quick snack or drink to go, stop by these local favorites. They're all within walking distance of the city's plaza, so you will be right in the heart of the historic district.

• Kookaburra: This Australian coffee shop serves up caffeinated beverages, hot chocolate, and their meat pies. Order a Hot Aussie if you're looking for a sweet drink to keep you warm.
• Gaufre's and Goods: This Polish and Greek restaurant on Aviles Street serves hot Belgian waffles that come with a variety of toppings, such as Nutella, whipped cream, and bananas.

Want more options? Check out the list of downtown coffee shops that are sure to have something hot and festive.

Take in an epic view.

You wanna be in a great spot when the lights are on for St. Augustine's Nights of Lights. Here are a few of the places you can stand to watch the lights come on.

The Plaza

The Plaza de la Constitución is where most of the light-up action takes place. There's a central gazebo, and lights are strung along all the trees in the plaza. There's also a huge Christmas tree that makes a perfect background for holiday photos (also see below).

The Bridge of Lions

You can stand along the sidewalks on the Bridge of Lions to get a view that enables you to see the whole bayfront, the tops of the trees in the plaza, and all the illuminated buildings.

The Water

I'm not suggesting you grab an inner tube and jump in the Matanzas River, but if you own a boat or want to book one of the Nights of Lights water tours, you can get a great view of the lights from the water without worrying about any crowds. It's comfortable, unique, and you can avoid the no open container law that applies to sidewalks and enjoy a drink from the ship. See here for some great choices for water tours including those hosted by Florida Water Tours.

Take photos.

There are so many great opportunities to take photos. Get the family by the Christmas tree in the main plaza for a free Christmas photo. Take shots of the buildings or the trees to post on Instagram.

If you do post on Instagram, mention @VisitStA. You may get reposted!

Tips for the perfect Nights of Lights photo:

1. Pick the right time of day—especially around sunset.
2. If you have a digital camera, change the white balance to 'tungsten.'
3. If possible, use a tripod or place the camera on a hard surface.
4. Focus on something closer to make the lights become soft, out-of-focus orbs, a technique called "bokeh."
5. Post on Instagram and mention @VisitStA.

A Christmas decoration extravaganza at the Cedar House Inn.

Grab a drink.

Stop at one of these bars and relax with a seasonal drink while taking in the lights.

• Tini Martini Bar: Known for their decked out balcony, Tini Martini Bar at the Casablanca Inn on the bayfront serves delicious dessert martinis for the holiday sweet tooth, such as the After Eight, made with chocolate vodka, peppermint schnapps, Godiva chocolate liqueur, and Starbucks cream liqueur.
• Meehan's: Sit on the balcony for views of the Bridge of Lions lit up on the water while sipping an Irish coffee.

Walk in a lit-up wonderland.

Stroll through the plaza, down the bayfront lined with lights and decorated palm trees. There's also the Lightner Museum and Flagler College down King Street, which are both adorned with lights. If you can't see everything, then no worries. The lights are on every night through January 18, 2027.

For the best time to see the lights...

Many people come for Nights of Lights on the weekend, so if you're looking to avoid the crowds, coming mid-week is a good idea. It's a great way to get on a trolley or train without a long wait, and since many of the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts in St. Augustine offer lower rates mid-week, it makes it easier to plan on staying overnight. That way, you can enjoy the lights at your leisure. 

Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2026/27

Learn about how the free Park-and-Ride shuttles, the STAR beach circulator, and the parking garage operate during Nights of Lights.

Nights of Lights begins at dusk on Saturday, November 21, and ends on Monday, January 18, 2027. 

Free Parking and Two Types of Free Shuttles

1. Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car are available on select days during Nights of Lights. 
2. On Anastasia Island, the free STAR Beach Shuttle travels in a loop during Nights of Lights. That shuttle runs on a loop on Anastasia Island, picking people up and dropping them off on the east side of the bridge.

Parking Lots and Shuttle Rides 

How Does it Work?

Park for free in one of the lots outside of town. Take a free shuttle bus to the Visitor Information Center, and enjoy all that Nights of Lights has to offer. Then, meet the free shuttle bus at the Visitor Center and ride back to your car. 

When Do the Free Shuttles Operate in 2026/27?

• 4:00 to 11:00 pm. on Light-Up! Night, November 21.
• 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade).
• 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the remaining 21 high-attendance days during Nights of Lights.
  • November: 27 and 28
  • December: 4, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
  • January: 1 and 2

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will be open when the shuttles operate:

• St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
• Broudy's Lot, 198 West King Street, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
• San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine

Days of Particularly Heavy Traffic

Here are the special events that will impact the traffic and the shuttles:

• Light-UP! Night, Saturday, November 21, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Shuttles start at 4:00 p.m. See below for information about the special Park-and-Ride shuttle from Anastasia Island.
• Christmas Parade,  Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The shuttles start operating at 8:00 a.m. for the Christmas Parade.
• Regatta of Lights, Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Coming from Ponte Vedra? View the boats from the Vilano Fishing Pier. Coming from Anastasia? View the boats from the bridge. The viewing space on the bayfront is limited due to the construction.

Special Light-Up! Night Shuttle on Anastasia Island

On Saturday, November 21, 2026, park in one of two lots on Anastasia Island and use the Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle, provided by Historic Tours of America. This shuttle operates from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., traveling between the two lots and the east (Anastasia) side of the Bridge of Lions. You will have to walk across the bridge to get to town, and walk back across the bridge to pick up the shuttle when you want to return to your car.

• Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South
• R.B. Hunt Elementary School, 125 Magnolia Drive (off A1A South)

Why Use the Lots and Shuttle Service?

• It's free.
• It's easy. You avoid the hassle of driving around (and around) the city streets looking for a parking spot.
• Third, Nights of Lights is a walking event and a tour event. Leave your car in a free lot, take a free shuttle to the Visitor Information Center, walk around town, and ride a trolley, a red train, a golf cart, or a pedi-cab.
• When the shuttles are operating, the parking garage charges $40.00 after 1:00 p.m. Before 1:00 p.m., and on any day the shuttles don't operate, the garage charges $20.00 for the day. 
• This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents who have registered with ParkStAug. Residents are encouraged to register online or at the city office on Bridge Street before Nights of Lights starts. Having the ParkStAug app does not guarantee you a space in the garage.

STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights

During the Nights of Lights Season, the STAR bus circulates on an Anastasia Island route, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

• The shuttle heads from the Bridge of Lions on A1A to The Quality Inn & Suites, 901 A1A Beach Blvd., stopping at several locations on the way. 
• At the Quality Inn, the shuttle turns back toward the Bridge of Lions, stopping at other locations along the way. 
• All passengers disembark near the Bridge of Lions, and the shuttle turns back to make another loop.
• Things to know about the loop:
  • Most stops don't have public parking, but are within walking distance of parking either in a lot or on a street. Do not park in a hotel lot unless you are a guest. You will be towed.
  • The stop near the Bridge of Lions is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the bridge. To get downtown, you have to walk across the bridge. It's a great opportunity to view the lights.
  • The bus will not make additional stops. You cannot flag it down and have to get on or off at a designated stop.

The STAR Circulator does not operate on New Year's Eve due to the fireworks on St. Augustine Beach.

Where to Go When You Gotta Go

Meeting Your Personal Hygiene Needs

This small, old city has only six public bathrooms, all within Historic Downtown. During the busiest days and evenings of Nights of Lights, the city will place 70 porta-potties in eight locations. Most of the permanent public bathroom facilities downtown are not open 24/7.

• Open 24/7, except when being cleaned, the St. Augustine Municipal Marina,  111 Avenida Menendez, has a men's restroom and a women's restroom, each with multiple stalls and at least one ADA stall.
• Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Visitor Information Center (VIC), 10 S. Castillo Drive, has larger men's and women's restrooms with more stalls, and two ADA facilities in each.
• Open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., the Cafè del Hidalgo Restroom, at 55 Hypolita Street, has seven stalls in both the men's and women's rooms.
• Open from 10:00 a.m. to at least 9:00 p.m. (whenever the Colonial Oak Music Park closes), at 42½ St. George Street, near the Spanish Bakery, has separate men's and women's, each with multiple stalls.
• Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Governor's House Museum, 48 King Street, is owned and maintained by the University of Florida. They are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
• Open from 11:00 a.m. to close (between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m.), restrooms at 29 Toques Place are maintained by the Florida Cracker Cafe
• There will be porta-potties in several locations downtown. Download the Nights of Lights App to see their locations and availability. 

This article was originally written by Alex Pooler in 2014. It has been updated with current information for the 2026 - 2027 Nights of Lights season.