St. Augustine's Nights of Lights 2026-27

The 33rd Annual Nights of Lights dazzles with more than three million lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months.

This award-winning holiday lights display runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026, to January 18, 2027, in historic downtown St. Augustine. During the seasonal display, businesses downtown stay open later, letting you dine with a view of the lights and browse the shops in the decorated buildings.

The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the most lighted areas, and there are several other ways to enjoy the lights, including in an electric cart, from the water, and up in the air.

Featured Upcoming Events

Holiday Craft & Garden Market

Friday
Nov. 6

Friday
Nov. 20

Lighthouse Illuminations: Tides, Tidings, and Trees

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Saturday
Nov. 21

Light-Up! Night

Plaza de la Constitución

Saturday
Nov. 21

Nights of Lights Tours 2026 - 2027

Saturday
Nov. 21

Holiday Hootenanny

Third Space Improv

All Nights of Lights Events

Check out our complete list of holiday tours and all the other events happening during Nights of Lights.

There are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the downtown area, from the dazzling lights along the bayfront, to the Christmas tree placed in the center of the Plaza de la Constitución with holiday gifts surrounding it. From dusk until dawn, the lights bring holiday cheer to visitors and locals.

The City of St. Augustine offers a Free Park and Ride Shuttle service for Nights of Lights beginning on Light Up Night, November 21, and continuing on select days through the end of December.

Light-Up! Night

The annual Light-Up! Night begins at 4:00 p.m. with a performance by Showtime USA presenting a variety of holiday musical favorites. Showtime's performance will be in front of St. Augustine's City Hall, 75 King Street. At 5:30 p.m., the All Star Orchestra takes the stage with great swing and big band sounds in grand holiday style at the historic Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo. The Light-Up! Night ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza, when the master of ceremonies switches on the Nights of Lights to illuminate the city. The concert continues after the ceremony until 7:30 p.m.

This is the local winter holiday celebration in St. Augustine, where each historic downtown business and many residents participate by lighting up their buildings. The celebration was chosen in 2011 and 2012 by National Geographic as one of the top 10 dazzling holiday lighting displays in the world. The display continues to dazzle, becoming more and more popular each year as a holiday destination for vacationers from all over the world.

Some of the most elaborate light displays are at Flagler College and the Lightner Museum. The Plaza de la Constitución features white lights draped over the top of every tree, and a colorfully lit Christmas tree in the center where photos can be taken. 

Downtown businesses decorate each year, entering a contest organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Florida's Historic Coast, Old Town Trolley Tours, and several other businesses. Here are the 2025 winners:

• First Place — Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront
• Second Place — Renaissance Historic Downtown
• Third Place — Tini Martini Bar

You can also enjoy the view of the lit bayfront from the Bridge of Lions and — at a bit more distance — from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

History

The original St. Augustine Nights of Lights committee claimed the idea was based on the old Spanish practice of displaying a white candle in windows during Christmas. Candles in the window allude to the fact that Mary and Joseph could find no inn that would shelter them. When the Spanish put candles in their windows, they were symbolically making room in their homes and hearts for Jesus.

It also reflects the welcoming attitude of the holiday season, showing that guests are welcome to the home. The stunning lights reflect the city's more than 450-year history and illuminate the beautiful cityscape for lasting holiday memories.

Things to Do

Looking for things to do in St. Augustine during the celebration of lights? This event features millions of tiny, white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the nation's oldest city. From roof shingle to doorway entrance, the downtown buildings are a glow in holiday cheer.

Vacationers can walk through the Plaza de la Constitución during Nights of Lights and stare up at the glowing lights in the trees, and wander through downtown's brick streets while taking in the beautiful and magical sights. Visitors can snap photos with outdoor displays, like the holiday tree in the center of the town plaza, or grab some hot cocoa from a local restaurant.

Check out these local tours during Nights of Lights. There are many more tours and all kinds of events happening during the holiday season.

• Old Town Trolley Famous Nights of Lights Tour
• Ripley's Red Train
• Red Boat Tours
• St. Augustine Eco Tours
• Scenic Cruise Tours
• Florida Water Tours
• St. Augustine Sailing
• St. Augustine Boat Tours
• Black Raven Pirate Ship Tour

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.