Light-Up! Night

On November 21, 2026, St. Augustine's 33rd Nights of Lights Celebration begins with the annual "Light-Up! Night" at Parque de Menendez (the grounds in front of St. Augustine City Hall) at 4:00 p.m. The celebration and the actual lighting begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza de la Constitución.

The evening begins in front of City Hall, 75 King Street, with Showtime USA dancing to lively holiday tunes.

Light-Up! Night (This info is from 2026.)

At 4:00 p.m., in front of the Lightner Museum at Parque de Menendez, Showtime USA presents a song and dance routine to welcome the holiday season. 

At 5:30 p.m., in the Plaza de la Constitución, Northeast Florida's local event band, the All-Star Orchestra, swings on the gazebo stage, playing holiday favorites with a big-band flair.

At 6:30 p.m., dignitaries gather on the gazebo stage and start the countdown. The designated person flips the Nights of Lights switch, and more than three million lights illuminate the city. After the ceremony, the All-Star Orchestra plays holiday tunes until 7:30 p.m.

ASL Interpreters will be at the gazebo during the concert and lighting ceremony, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The lights remain lit until long past midnight. From November 21, 2026, through January 18, 2027, the lights will be turned on each day at dusk and remain lit until the wee hours of the morning.

Admission: Free

When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: 

• City Hall, 75 King St., from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• Plaza de la Constitución, Cathedral Place, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Street Closures and Parking

Cathedral Place

• No parking all day
• No vehicular traffic from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

King Street between Cordova St. and Avenida Menendez

• No parking all day on the north (plaza) side of the street.

Special Shuttle from Anastasia Island

For Light-Up! Night, two lots on Anastasia Island will operate from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Light-Up! Night, November 21, 2026.

• R.B. Hunt School, 125 Magnolia Dr., St. Augustine, Florida 32080
• Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A S, St. Augustine, Florida 32080

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.