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, any citizen out on the streets was required to carry a light so the Night Watch could identify them. 

The Colonial Night Watch culminates in a torch-lit parade that starts at the Visitor Information Center at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026. 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 a "Volley of Joy" by the militia, as they sing Christmas carols to ring in the holiday season.

The public is invited to follow the parade to the Plaza and encouraged to sing along with the carolers.

Note: The starting location moved from the Castillo to the Visitor's Center due to seawall construction at the Castillo de San Marcos. The fort is open, but the grounds around the fort are closed.

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. 

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 and Saturday, December 4 and 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.

We don't have all the information for the 2026/27 season

We'll keep adding information as it becomes available.

Free Parking and Free Shuttles

Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car are available on select days and nights during Nights of Lights. 

On Anastasia Island, the STAR Beach Shuttle operates for 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 

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 the lots outside of town, 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 Does it Operate in 2026/27?

• From 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., on 23 days of Nights of Lights, and on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• November: 21, 27, and 29
• December: 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30
• January: 1 and 2

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will be open when the shuttles operate on those 23 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

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.
  • 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.