Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour has become one of the most popular ways to see St. Augustine's Nights of Lights. During the 2026/2027 season, the trolley operates nightly from Sunday, November 22, 2026, through Monday, January 18, 2027. Take an Old Town Trolley Nights of Lights tour, sit with family and friends, sing carols, and view the lights through magical glasses. Plus, you are invited to enjoy a sugar cookie and warm cider after the ride.

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour sells tickets by the row only. One to four guests may use the row. If available, you can purchase tickets each night; however, we suggest you purchase tickets online to reserve your preferred date and time. Traveling with a group? Call the Group and Charters Department at (904) 829-3800 to book your tour.

More Information

The Tour

The trolley tours depart every night from Sunday, November 22, 2026, through Monday, January 18, 2026. Tours depart every quarter hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. from the Visitor Information Center at 10 West Castillo Drive. The 30- to 45-minute tour makes no stops. Old Town Trolley's open-air Famous Nights of Lights Tour offers a convenient, fun way to see the best of the lights while singing impromptu carols along the way. Wear the magical glasses to see the lights transform into fantastic shapes and enjoy free sugar cookies and apple cider after the trip

Special Accommodations

• Folding strollers that fit in your row are welcome on the trolley—larger ones can stay at the check-in kiosk.
• Make wheelchair and scooter reservations at least 24 hours in advance.
• Service dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a qualified individual with a disability are allowed on the trolley.
• Visit here to learn more, to make online reservations, and to check out the FAQs.

The Trolley Tour Details

• What: A 30- to 45-minute ride through Historic Downtown aboard an Old Town Trolley; includes magic glasses, an entertaining driver, and seasonal songs on the speakers, plus cider and a cookie after the ride.
• Admission: Tickets are sold by the row that seats up to four people, starting at $72.99 per row. Tickets are only sold by the row. Prices are higher on peak evenings. Children three and younger may sit on an adult's lap and ride at no charge. Old Town Trolley Tours offers VIP tickets, which let you arrive anytime on the day you booked the tour.
• When: From Sunday, November 22, 2026, through Monday, January 18, 2027, starting at 6:00 p.m. Tours start every 15 minutes, and hours may vary by day.
• Where: Departing from the Visitor Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive.
• Contact: Call (904) 829-3800 or see their website for more information and to reserve seats.

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.