Lightner After Hours & Holiday Market

The Lightner Museum hosts a special Lightner After Hours and Holiday Market from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2026.

Each year, the Lightner Museum invites a curated selection of more than 35 artisans and small businesses to present their wares. The vendors display their products on booths and tables in the historic Alcazar swimming pool room (now Café Alcazar), on the balcony surrounding the former pool, and outside on the garden and deck.

At the kids' corner, in the museum's front lobby, you can write a letter to Santa, enjoy arts and crafts, and play Christmas-themed games.

Listen to live music by the Raisin Cake Orchestra and enjoy bites from some of the area's favorite food trucks. Shop for gifts from local artists, craftspeople, jewelry makers, authors, and quilters.

Event Details

Admission: FREE

When: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2026. Note: Lightner Museum members can start shopping at 5:00 p.m.

Where: The Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Enter at the Granada Street entrance to the Café Alcazar (look for the blue and white awnings).

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. Here are the special events that will impact the traffic and the shuttles:

• Saturday, November 21, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m.—Light-UP! Night
• Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 9:00 p.m.—Christmas Parade
• Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.—Regatta of Lights

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?

From 4:00 to 11:00 pm. on Light-Up! Night, November 21. From 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the remaining 21 high-attendance days during Nights of Lights. From 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade).

• November: 21, 27, and 28
• December: 4, 5, 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

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.