Colonial NIght Watch and Encampment

The Colonial Night Watch and Encampment take place on December 4 and 5, 2026.

Torch-Lit Parade

The main event, a torchlight parade, begins at the Visitor Information Center at 7:00 p.m. This popular living history event recreates the security protocols of historic garrison towns. After the city gates were locked for the night, citizens walking the streets were required to carry a light so the Night Watch could identify them. 

The Colonial Night Watch

The Colonial Night Watch torch-lit parade welcomes the holiday season on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The parade starts at the Visitor Information Center at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the historic reenactors march to the City Gate and then down St. George Street to the Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum at the Plaza de la Constitución. The public is invited to follow the troops as they march from the City Gate down St. George Street.

At the Governor's House, the welcome speech is followed by three musket "Volleys of Joy" fired by the militia. Afterward, the gathered audience is invited to join a sing-along featuring older traditional Christmas Carols to ring in the holiday season.

Encampment and Living History

For Colonial Night Watch weekend, participating reenactors set up a historical encampment on the grounds of the Oldest House Museum, 14 St. Francis Street. There, you can experience living history, including demonstrations of several aspects of colonial life. On Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, 2026, the Oldest House Museum is open at no cost.

The military encampment includes militia representing British, Spanish, and East Florida Ranger troops. The tents and items found in the encampments, including tools, cookware, weapons, and period clothing, represent how the troops lived years ago. The participants portray a living history of the time and offer demonstrations depicting Native Americans, sword fighting, and how they cared for their equipment and clothing. 

Event Details

Admission: Free

When: 

• The torch-lit Colonial Night Watch parade begins at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026. 
• The Encampment is set up on Thursday, and they break camp on Sunday. The encampment and the Oldest House Museum are open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.on Friday December 4 and Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Where: 

• Saturday evening's Night Watch Procession begins at the Visitor Information Center and walks along St. George Street to the Governor's House Museum.
• The reenactors set up their encampments on the grounds of the Oldest House Museum, 14 St. Francis Street, St. Augustine. The museum has free parking, and the Old Town Trolleys stop to let passengers off and on there.

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.