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The TOP 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 farโ€”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, weโ€™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 weโ€™ll also share 4 bonus holiday activities to make your St. Augustine holiday getaway unforgettable. Letโ€™s dive in!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we donโ€™t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust weโ€™re only suggesting great products to you.

Old Town Trolley Tours are recognizable by their orange and green colors!

Table of Contents

Toggle
    • 1. Hop on a Festive Trolley Tour
      • Old Town Trolleyโ€™s Nights of Lights Tour
      • Ripleyโ€™s Nights of Lights Tour
    • 2. Explore Nights of Lights by foot
    • 3. Experience the lights from the water with a boat tour
    • 4. Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse
    • 5. Take a Ghost Tour at Night
  • The History Behind the St Augustine Christmas Lights
  • How long do the Christmas lights stay up in St. Augustine?
  • How much do the St Augustine Christmas Lights cost?
  • Can you walk the St. Augustine Lights?
  • 4 More Ways to Enjoy St. Augustine During the Holiday Season
    • 1. Visit St. Augustineโ€™s Christmas Markets
    • 2. Enjoy a Christmas Play at a Local Theatre
    • 3. Grab a Warm Cup of Hot Cocoa at a Local Cafรฉ
    • 4. Attend Villa Zorayda Museumโ€™s Candlelight Tour
  • Ready to Explore the St Augustine Christmas Lights?

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.

Old Town Trolley Tours is our go-to trolley company!
Our trolley ride came with these cool 3D glasses!

Currently, two main companies offer Nights of Lights Trolley Tours, Old Town Trolley Tours, and Ripleyโ€™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:

Old Town Trolleyโ€™s Nights of Lights Tour

  • Price: Starting at $72.99 per row
  • Duration: 30-45 minutes
  • Special Perks: Enjoy caroling as well as sugar cookies and warm apple cider
Click here for tickets!

Ripleyโ€™s Nights of Lights Tour

  • Price: Starting at $69.99 per row
  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Special Perks: Free holiday movie showings for Ripleyโ€™s Nights of Lights guests throughout all of December
Click here for tickets!

We loved riding on the Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour! The staff was super friendly and helpful, and everyone was full of holiday cheer, as many were dressed up in festive outfits and elf costumes. Our trolley guide was comical and did a great job getting everyone to partake in singing Christmas carols. Taking either trolley tour is a great activity to experience the Nights of Lights for families, elders, or anyone looking to sit back and enjoy the magic of the lights. One piece that I didn’t expect is that it’s not just one trip around, we went around the main district and side streets so many times it really felt like we got our money’s worth!

Trolley tours are a fun way to get a lay of the land before going back to explore your favorite spots by foot!

An alternative to trolley tours is St. Augustine Land and Sea Toursโ€™ electric cart tours. This is a great option if youโ€™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.

Plaza de la Constituciรณn is a great starting point for exploring Nights of Lights!

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 Constituciรณn, where twinkling lights strung throughout the 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, donโ€™t miss the chance to pop into local cafรฉs and shops, making the journey as memorable as the lights themselves.

The majority of visitors explore the lights by foot!

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, youโ€™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 and Bridge of Lions illuminated in the distance. Itโ€™s a magical sight that lets you appreciate the full scale of St. Augustineโ€™s holiday transformation from a unique birdโ€™s-eye perspective.

Whether youโ€™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, donโ€™t miss out on exploring the Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, adding a touch of history and adventure to your holiday outing.

๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ On December 4th, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum lights up over 2,000 luminaries on their grounds which you can visit for free from 6 – 8 pm.

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 youโ€™re looking to blend holiday cheer with a bit of spooky fun, consider taking St. Augustineโ€™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 nationโ€™s oldest city. As you stroll through Old Town, you’ll visit some of St. Augustineโ€™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 displayed 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 loreโ€”it’s a memorable twist on the traditional holiday experience that you won’t want to miss!

And if youโ€™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

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. Augustineโ€™s historic district, creating an enchanting backdrop that feels like stepping into a holiday fairytale. And donโ€™t just take our word for it, as the likes of National Geographic have even called this festival โ€œOne of the top 10 holiday light displays in the world!โ€

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 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving) and continues to dazzle visitors nightly until January 26th (the last Sunday of January). This beloved holiday tradition begins with Light-Up! Night, a highly anticipated event that marks the start of the festive season.

View of Plaza de la Constituciรณn, the center of the holiday activities, at night

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 Constituciรณn, 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 canโ€™t attend 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 youโ€™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, can’t-miss restaurants, and so much more!

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 Constituciรณn 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 seasonโ€”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 isnโ€™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, hereโ€™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. Augustineโ€™s Christmas Markets

Whatโ€™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 Itโ€™s a Wonderful Life. Ticket prices and showtimes are typically posted on their websites linked above.

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

Warm up during your holiday adventures by indulging in a delicious cup of hot cocoa or other warm holiday beverages. Two of our favorite spots for scoring a warm drink include The Kookaburra and Sweetwater Coffee Bar and Gallery, but there really are countless places scattered throughout the downtown area that sell hot chocolate or other warm beverages. Some cafes even have holiday-themed drinks just for the Nights of Lights.

We recommend eating before the lights turn on so you can fully enjoy the magic of the lights. Be sure to check out our lists of must-try restaurants as well as favorite breakfast spots in St. Augustine if you’re staying overnight!

4. Attend Villa Zorayda Museumโ€™s Candlelight Tour

Experience a holiday twist on history by touring the 140-year-old Villa Zorayda Museum. The museumโ€™s annual candlelight tour allows you into this unique architectural gem from the Gilded Age, while itโ€™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. This event ends the first Saturday of January, so check out more information about dates and tickets 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!

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Posted

November 27, 2024

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Faith Franzonia

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality! Read more about us here.

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Sometimes itโ€™s not the bucket list but random mo Sometimes itโ€™s not the bucket list but random moments that youโ€™ll remember forever ๐Ÿถ

After filming our YouTube series on Carlsbad Caverns NP and White Sands NP we had to spend one day in the park and just catch up on work. 

It was a little warm, but randomly running up the sand hills throughout the day was so worth it. 

Itโ€™s l moments like these that were so grateful to live and work out of our van. 

Follow @schoandjo for more slices of life as we explore North America. 

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And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again ๐Ÿ˜… And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again ๐Ÿ˜…

As two East Coasters, deserts are so strange and wonderful. Both barren and full of life. 

We stayed on our first BLM outside of Carlsbad, NM, and we were greeted with something entirely new for usโ€ฆ a dust storm! 

We hadnโ€™t washed Summit since being on the road, but that was the trigger for a deep clean. Coming from boat life, weโ€™d just wash Pivot at various marinas. 

Now we go to car washes! I have to admit, that I was not really looking forward to the chore of washing Summit, but the feeling of a clean home was super worth it. With some good tunes, it was actually pretty fun! 

Follow @schoandjo for more, as we learn more about life on the road on our exploration around North America! 

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We were racing against the clock โฐ When we firs We were racing against the clock โฐ

When we first stepped into White Sands National Park, we knew we had to get sunset photos, but while almost everywhere in the park is perfect for it, there is a cut-off time. 

You must be out of the park no later than 30 minutes after sunset. 

BUT, since the sun goes over the Mountains earlier than sunset, you have more gorgeous golden light.

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Donโ€™t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour โ€ผ๏ธ When we Donโ€™t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour โ€ผ๏ธ

When we went to Carlsbad Caverns this April, we were shocked to learn they restarted ONE tour. 

If you didnโ€™t know, Carlsbad Caverns lost roughly half its front-facing staff with the NPS cuts. Due to this, they were forced to cancel all their ranger-led tours and just focus on keeping the park running. 

The park service desperately wanted to open a tour to help educate small groups about the parkโ€™s history, challenges, and wonders, hoping those people would then share why our parks are so important to keep open. Theyโ€™ve found a way to stabilize and open one tour.

The Kingโ€™s Palace tour visits scenic rooms closed to the public, so youโ€™ll visit places very few people can see.

With this being said, every day is different, and as of now, they donโ€™t know in advance if they will be offering the tour, so youโ€™ll have to show up early regardless.

The visitors center opens at 9:00 am, so we sat outside since 8:00 am, ensuring we could get a spot. 

The other people who had heard of the tour started arriving at 8:15, and by 8:30, there was a decent line outside. If you want tickets, arrive by 8:30 am at the latest! 

You donโ€™t need a timed entry as the tour will count for your entry. The tour is $10 USD per person, on top of standard park entry fees. 

The Kingโ€™s Palace tour starts at 10:30 am, so youโ€™ll need to take the elevator down, and then youโ€™ll have a few minutes to wander before the tour. 

The tour lasts about 1:30 to 2 hours, so come fed and with plenty of time to learn about the Caverns! 

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or have seen anything different in recent days. Huge kudos to the NPS for navigating these challenging times. 

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