Parking During Nights of Lights, 2025/2026

Help! Everything about parking has changed. Now what?

In an admirable effort to help locals and tourists have a more enjoyable and safe time during Nights of Lights, St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine have added more shuttles, created some parking for local workers, and restricted some streets to be resident-only parking. You can find important information in our Nights of Lights app, including which shuttle lots are less full, where to find a public restroom near you, and a list of the Nights of Lights Tours and events.

Apps can't do everything for everyone (don't tell the tech folks that), so this article can help you learn what you need to know before heading down to see the lights, shops, tours, and fun that is St. Augustine during Nights of Lights.

First, the Nights of Lights is a walking or touring event.

This is not a suburb with wide streets and magnificently decorated houses. This is America's oldest continuously inhabited city, with narrow streets along a bayfront and a downtown so small it used to be walled in. Most of that old part of the city is beautifully decorated with millions of white lights, colorful figures, wreaths, garland, trees, and more. Please come to enjoy it all, but don't plan to drive around. The Nights of Lights is not a driving event. You will want to park and walk around; park and take a shuttle downtown, and then walk around; or stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast, or vacation rental, and (say it with me) walk around.

And remember, you can park in one of the lots and take the shuttle for free.

What if you want to arrive when the shuttles aren't operating?

The nights glow and fun things happen every day from November 15 through January 11. The free shuttles operate until 11:00 p.m. on 33 days during Nights of Lights, starting on Light-Up! Night on November 15. Except for December 6, the shuttles start at 1:00 p.m. On December 6, the day of the Christmas parade, they start at 8:00 a.m. (Drop down to see all the information about the shuttles.)

There is a lot to do every day during Nights of Lights—even during daylight, including shopping, eating, and visiting our wonderful attractions and historic properties. So, where can you park on non-shuttle days or if you arrive before 1:00 p.m.?

The Historic Downtown Parking Garage, 1565 Cordova

First, check the app to see how many spaces are available. Parking in the garage costs $20.00 on any day the shuttles aren't running, or if you get into the garage before 1:00 p.m. on days the shuttles operate. On shuttle days, if you enter the garage at or after 1:00 p.m., you will pay $40.00.

Private Parking Lots

Some of these lots have attendants, others use a kiosk, and others have scan-to-pay. Prices range from $20.00 to $40.00, depending on the lot, day, and time.

Cathedral Parish School

259 St. George Street, (904) 824-2861
Available: Nov. 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30; Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30; Jan. 2, 3, 9, 10.

First United Methodist Church

118 King Street
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Flagler College

Kenan Lot, 74 King Street
Lewis Paved and Lirt lots, 18 Valencia Street
Campuses Services Lot, 107 King Street
Flagler College Lot, 95 King Street
All lots: [email protected], (904) 826-8571. You must see and pay the attendant.
Dec. 12 -21 and January 5 - 15, the attendant is available on weekdays from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can stay until midnight.
Dec. 22 - Jan 4, the attendant is available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and you can stay until midnight.

Limelight Theatre

11 Old Mission Avenue
Available Nov. 15-21, Nov 23-27, Nov. 30; Dec 1-3, Dec. 7-10, Dec. 14-15, Dec. 17, Dec. 21-31; Jan. 1-2, Jan. 4-11.

Old Cigar Factory

88 Riberia Street
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Old City Law & Title

1 Riberia
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Parking Pros

3 Sebastian Avenue
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

101 San Marco
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Trinity Episcopal Chruch

225 St. George Street, [email protected], (904) 824-2876
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, Scan to Pay

Villa Zorayda Museum

83 King Street, [email protected], (904) 829-9887
Available 24/7, Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, see the attendant or use the kiosk

Whetstone Chocolates

149 King Street
Available Nov. 15 - Jan. 11, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. See the attendant.

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.

Remember the App!

A note about those with limited mobility

Vehicles with handicap plates or disabled parking permits can park for free in the Parking Garage and at marked spaces downtown. The parking garage has specially marked spaces on every floor, near the elevators on the upper floors. Obviously, it is best to arrive early for a good space, and if you can take the time to wander the city or have a meal before the lights come on, there are lovely daytime sights to see, as well.

If you and your party wish to take a vehicle tour, Old Town Trolleys offers units that can accommodate one wheelchair or scooter at a time. You can make reservations for that particular Trolley, but the person must be able to get from the chair to the trolley, stepping up a step or two. If that isn't possible, this event is truly a walking event, and you should be able to enjoy the evening and the lights while moving along the sidewalks. 

Here is more information about accessibility in St. Augustine.

New, no parking locations

Due to dangerous congestion, only residents and their guests can use the street parking in three residential neighborhoods near the historic downtown. Resident-only permit parking starts Saturday, November 15, and continues through January 11, 2026. The ban is in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Flagler Model Land Company neighborhood, and from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Abbott Tract and Uptown neighborhoods.

Cars without a resident Nights of Lights tag on their rear-view mirror will be fined $100.00 for parking in those neighborhoods.

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 Visitors 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 facilities 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 the location of the units and when they are available.