5 Magical Ways to Experience St. Augustine’s Christmas Lights

From late November through the end of January, the historic streets of St. Augustine are transformed into a dazzling wonderland, illuminated by more than 3 million sparkling holiday lights. This beloved tradition, known as the Nights of Lights, draws visitors from near and far—but is it truly as magical as it sounds, or just another overhyped tourist trap?

As Florida locals and holiday enthusiasts, we can confidently say: the St Augustine Christmas Lights absolutely live up to the hype! So to help you experience the magic to the fullest, we’ve rounded up our top 5 ways to enjoy this festive event, from charming trolley rides to spine-tingling ghost tours. Stick with us until the end, where we’ll also share 4 bonus holiday activities to make your St. Augustine holiday getaway unforgettable. Let’s dive in!

The History Behind the St Augustine Christmas Lights

For over 30 years, the St Augustine Christmas Lights, also known as Nights of Lights, have been transforming the nation’s oldest city into a glowing wonderland. Rooted in the city’s rich Spanish heritage, this dazzling display draws inspiration from the tradition of placing a single candle in your home’s windows, symbolizing warmth and hospitality.

Today, over three million twinkling white lights cover St. Augustine’s historic district, creating an enchanting backdrop that feels like stepping into a holiday fairytale. And don’t just take our word for it, as the likes of National Geographic have even called this festival “One of the top 10 holiday light displays in the world!”

5 Magical Ways to Experience the St Augustine Christmas Lights

As you may have guessed, there’s not just one way to enjoy St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights festival. To give you some ideas, we’ve picked out 5 free and paid options for enjoying the St Augustine Christmas Lights, kicking things off with one of the most popular options among visitors—the trolley tours!

1. Hop on a Festive Trolley Tour

Hop aboard one of the famous open-air trolley tours for a front-row seat to the lights. With festive music, narration, and complimentary 3D glasses that make the lights pop even more, the trolley is a great way to soak in the entire display without walking. Perfect for families, groups, or anyone who wants to sit back and enjoy the ride through the illuminated streets.

Currently, two main companies offer Nights of Lights Trolley Tours, Old Town Trolley Tours, and Ripley’s Red Train Tours. Both companies sell tickets by row, not by seat, with each row fitting up to 4 people, something to keep in mind when planning your trip. Here is some additional information about these two tours:

An alternative to trolley tours is St. Augustine Land and Sea Tours’ electric cart tours. This is a great option if you’re looking for a crowd-free tour of St. Augustine you can enjoy with just friends and family. Land and Sea Tours offers a delightful 45-minute ride complete with Christmas sing-along songs and a friendly personal guide.

2. Explore Nights of Lights by foot

One of the best, free ways to experience the St Augustine Christmas Lights is by taking a stroll through the historic district. Walking through the glowing streets allows you to fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, at your own pace!

We recommend starting at the Plaza de la Constitución, where twinkling trees and historic buildings set the holiday tone. From there, you can make your way down St. George Street. This charming pedestrian thoroughfare is perfect for browsing local shops, stopping for a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoying the festive displays up close.

For a more peaceful experience, explore side streets like Aviles Street or take a romantic walk along the Bayfront near the Bridge of Lions, where the reflections of lights on the water create a magical scene. Along the way, don’t miss the chance to pop into local cafés and shops, making the journey as memorable as the lights themselves.

3. Experience the lights from the water with a boat tour

Consider watching the lights reflecting off the water and learning a bit about St. Augustine’s history with an evening boat tour on the Matanzas River! Float under the Bridge of Lions, pass by the Castillo de San Marcos, and view the towering St. Augustine Lighthouse, all while viewing the dazzling lights from afar!

Known for their friendly, knowledgeable crew, excellent customer service, and intimate experience, Florida Water Tours offers these special Nights of Lights boat tours during the evenings throughout December and January. We recommend bringing a blanket as it can become chilly at night on the water!

4. Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse

One of the lesser-known ways to enjoy the St Augustine Christmas Lights is climbing the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse. Standing 165 feet tall, this historic beacon offers panoramic views of the entire city, making it one of the best vantage points to soak in the glow of the Nights of Lights. Once you ascend the 219 steps to the top, you’re rewarded with a sweeping view of millions of twinkling lights below.

From the top, you can see the historic downtown wrapped in a festive glow, with the Bayfront, Bridge of Lions, and even Anastasia Island illuminated in the distance. It’s a magical sight that lets you appreciate the full scale of St. Augustine’s holiday transformation from a unique, bird’s-eye perspective.

Whether you’re visiting during the day for a beautiful sunset, or after dark to watch the city fully light up, the lighthouse offers an unforgettable experience. After your climb, don’t miss out on exploring the Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, adding a touch of history and adventure to your holiday outing.

Price: $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for Children 12 or under and Seniors 60 and over
Location: 100 Red Cox Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Hours: Open Daily 9 am – 6 pm

5. Take a Ghost Tour at Night

If you’re looking to blend holiday cheer with a bit of spooky fun, consider taking St. Augustine’s award-winning walking ghost tour. This 1.5-hour walking tour has been around since 1998 and lets you discover the haunted side of the nation’s oldest city. As you stroll through Old Town, you’ll visit some of St. Augustine’s most haunted locations, learning about the long-deceased residents who still linger in the shadows.

We love how this walking ghost tour combines eerie stories with the dazzling lights display during the holiday season, creating a captivating atmosphere fit for young and old. Imagine wandering down beautifully lit streets while hearing tales of ghostly encounters and local lore—it’s a memorable twist on the traditional holiday experience that you won’t want to miss!

And if you’re interested in a ghost tour by trolley, we love the Ghosts & Gravestones tour, also run by Old Town Trolley Tours. Enjoy the holiday lights and get spooked on this 1-hour ghostly trolley tour through St. Augustine at night.

Price: Tickets start at around $25 per person
Location: Tours start at 12 St. George Street
Hours: Tours start at 8 pm

How long do the Christmas lights stay up in St. Augustine?

The enchanting Nights of Lights festival in St. Augustine officially kicks off on the evening of November 23rd and continues to dazzle visitors nightly until January 26th. This beloved holiday tradition begins with Light-Up! Night, a highly anticipated event that marks the start of the festive season.

On November 23rd, festivities commence promptly at 4 pm, when the city begins to come alive with holiday cheer. The official lighting ceremony follows at 6:30 pm in the historic Plaza de la Constitución, where crowds gather to witness the magical moment when millions of white lights illuminate the city.

Throughout the festival, you can stroll the charming streets adorned with lights, enjoy special events, and soak in the festive atmosphere, even if you can’t make it to the opening ceremonies.

How much do the St Augustine Christmas Lights cost?

The Nights of Lights festival in St. Augustine is 100% free! No ticket is needed to enjoy the displays throughout the town. But, there are experiences, such as trolley tours and nightly ghost tours listed above, where you can pay to experience the lights uniquely.

If you’re looking for a 100% free option for enjoying the St Augustine Christmas Lights, we recommend exploring by foot, making sure not to miss the Christmas Markets as well.

And if you’re new to the area, don’t miss out on everything else St. Augustine has to offer. Beyond the holiday lights themselves, there are many other free things to see and do year-round in St. Augustine! If you need some inspiration, check out our 15 favorite free things to do in St. Augustine as well as our Ultimate Guide to St. Augustine, with info on the top restaurants, things to do, and even where to park!

Can you walk the St. Augustine Lights?

Yes! There are tons of spots to enjoy St. Augustine’s Holiday Lights on foot. St. George Street and Plaza de la Constitución are the main hubs for seeing the lights on foot, but there are even more spots! Two of our other favorite ways to view the holiday lights include:

1. Walk up to the Lightner Museum

The Lightner Museum features spectacular light displays and decorations on the entire facade of the building.

We always see lots of couples and families (us included) taking photos in front of this building during the holiday season—and for good reason, it’s gorgeous!

The Lightner Museum also organizes special events around the holiday season, so make sure to check out their Programs and Events page before your visit.

2. Walk along the Waterfront

The views along the historic waterfront in St. Augustine are breathtaking, both before and after sunset. Before sunset, watch as the boats go by and the sun goes down. This is a great area to explore if you arrive before dark to St. Augustine and want to stear clear of the often busy downtown area.

You can also enjoy views from the Bridge of Lions and the Castillo de San Marcos, both adorned with holiday decorations and located by the water.

4 More Ways to Enjoy St. Augustine During the Holiday Season

Although the most well-known, Nights of Lights isn’t the only activity you can do in St. Augustine during the holidays. Countless other festive things are going on throughout December and January. To give you some ideas, here’s a short list of some of our other favorite St. Augustine holiday activities that you can check out on your visit!

1. Visit St. Augustine’s Christmas Markets

What’s the Christmas season without a Christmas Market? Although there are various markets scattered throughout the city, we love the Night of Lights Holiday Market, set up in the heart of the historic downtown.

Open every day of the week during the afternoons and evenings in late November and all of December, this free Christmas market is the place to go to find unique treasures, tasty treats, and even holiday photo ops. More information on the Nights of Lights Holiday Market Facebook page.

2. Enjoy a Christmas Play at a Local Theatre

Get into the holiday spirit, and support local theatre, by attending a Christmas play in St. Augustine! Local theaters, like the Limelight Theatre and A Classic Theatre put on heartwarming classics throughout December, such as A Christmas Carol, Christmas Cabaret, or It’s a Wonderful Life. Ticket prices and showtimes are typically posted on their websites, respectively linked above.

3. Grab a Warm Cup of Hot Cocoa at a Local Café

Warm up during your holiday adventures by indulging in a delicious cup of hot cocoa or other warm holiday beverage. Two of our favorite spots for scoring a warm drink include The Kookaburra and Sweetwater Coffee Bar and Gallery.

For more culinary delights, be sure to check out our lists of must-try restaurants as well as favorite breakfast spots in St. Augustine. Here you can find even more Scho-&-Jo-approved eateries to make deciding where to eat during your holiday trip to St. Augustine a breeze!

4. Attend Villa Zorayda Museum’s Candlelight Tour

Experience a holiday twist on history by touring the 140-year-old Villa Zorayda Museum. The museum’s annual candlelight tour allows you into this unique architectural gem from the Gilded Age while it’s beautifully adorned with Victorian holiday decorations. Bask in the warm glow of over 100 candles, peruse their beautiful art and antiques collection, and snacks on complimentary cookies and holiday beverages. More information on dates and tickets is on their website.

Ready to Explore the St Augustine Christmas Lights?

Pin this guide with the top 5 ways to enjoy the St Augustine Christmas Lights this year to help make planning your holiday season a breeze!