Nights of Lights Questions Answered
A few key questions answered about the famous lights.
What is Nights of Lights?
Nights of Lights is one of the biggest city-wide light displays in the Southeastern United States. National Geographic named Nights of Lights as one of the Top Ten Holiday Light Displays in the world.
When is Nights of Lights?
Nights of Lights takes place from November 15, 2025, to January 11, 2026. This is St. Augustine's 32nd year of celebrating Nights of Lights. Light-Up! Night is November 15 and the ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m., and the lights are flipped on around 6:30 p.m. Nights of Lights started in 1993 as a way to boost tourism in the winter months. Now the city streets are packed with visitors every winter holiday season.
Where is Nights of Lights?
Nights of Lights takes place throughout downtown St. Augustine. There is not one particular spot to see the lights. However, most of the lights are concentrated around the Plaza de la Constitución and along the bayfront.
What is the best way to see the lights?
See the lights three ways: by foot, by a tour vehicle that plays holiday music, and by boat. (Scroll down to learn about shuttles and where to park.)
What time of day do the lights turn on (and off)?
The lights turn on every day at 5:30 p.m. and remain on past 2:00 a.m.(!) during Nights of Lights.
Why only white lights?
It's said that St. Augustine uses white lights to honor an old Spanish tradition.
What's the tradition?
First, on important dates, such as a king's coronation, Spanish homes would light a white candle in one or more windows. Candles were expensive, and few houses could afford to light them for Christmas.
Second, during Christmas and other celebrations, Spaniards would light a small torch and place it outside their home. In some places in the New World, that tradition has morphed into lighting luminaria on Immaculate Conception Eve - in early December. The country of Colombia is famous for its luminaria, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse hosts its own luminaria several times during the holiday season.
I heard there's one red light - is this true?
According to a 2019 editorial in the St. Augustine Record, one of the men who placed the lights inserted one red light for his daughter to find. After he retired, the tradition continued. We know people who actively search for the one red light among three million white ones! According to one source, the red light is always somewhere in the Plaza de la Constitución.
How much is Nights of Lights, and where can I buy tickets?
If you are looking for free things to do in St. Augustine, look no further. Nights of Lights is free. Park, walk around, and view the lights. Nevertheless, there are several ways to see the lights, and most of the tours have a fee.
Where should I park during Nights of Lights?
Is there a Shuttle Service?
Those are great questions. The Nights of Lights is NOT a driving event. You park, walk, or take a tour on land or on the water.
Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2025
Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car on 33 days and nights during Nights of Lights.
Also, see below for information about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights. That shuttle runs on Anastasia Island and drops people off on the east side of the bridge.
How Does it Work?
Park for free in one of three lots, take a free bus to the Visitor Information Center, enjoy all Nights of Lights has to offer, and take a free bus back to your car.
When Will it Operate?
- From 1:00 to 11:00 p.m., on 33 days of Nights of Lights, and on December 6 (the day of the Christmas Parade) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- November: 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30
- December: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
- January: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11
Where Will You Park?
Three lots will operate on all 33 days:
- Broudy's Lot, 198 West King Street, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
- North San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine
- St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
Light-Up Night Anastasia Shuttles
Two additional lots on Anastasia Island will operate from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Light-Up! Night, November 15, 2025
- R.B. Hunt School, 125 Magnolia Dr., St. Augustine, Florida 32080
- Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A S, St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Why Use the Shuttle?
- 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 on a carriage, a trolley, a red train, or a golf cart.
- * When the shuttles operate, the parking garage fee will be $40.00. (This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents who have registered with ParkStAug. You can register online or at the office on Bridge Street.
STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights
During the Nights of Lights Season, the STAR bus stops transiting downtown at 4:00 p.m. and moves to a route on Anastasia Island.
Beginning on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and continuing through January 4, 2026, the STAR bus travels a route on Anastasia Island from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.
The bus delivers passengers to 201 Gerado Street, on the east side of the Bridge of Lions.
It stops at many of the St. Augustine Beach hotels to pick up guests of those hotels and at several parking areas along the route:
- Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Boulevard (There may be less parking available on December 12, during their market)
- St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A S.
- A Street + A1A Beach Boulevard
- St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park, 350 A1a Beach Boulevard
Click here to learn more about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights.
