Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour has become one of the most popular ways to see St. Augustine's Nights of Lights. In 2025 and 2026, the trolley operates nightly from Sunday, November 16, 2025, through Sunday, January 11, 2026. When you take an Old Town Trolley Nights of Lights tour, you sit with family and friends, sing carols, and view the lights through magical glasses. Plus, you are invited to enjoy a sugar cookie and warm cider after the ride.

Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour sells tickets by the row only. One to four guests may use the row. While tickets may be purchased each night (if available), we suggest you purchase tickets online to reserve your preferred date and time. Traveling with a group? Call their groups and charters department at (904) 829-3800 to book your tour.

Elf Hunt

Did you know that Santa gives some of his hardest-working elves time off during the holidays? Of course, they opted to visit St. Augustine, and they are having a great time—so much fun that they ended up separated and now seven elves are all over town, hoping to find their friends. Old Town Trolley asks all children on the tour to look for the elves. If you find all seven, you win a prize at the end of the tour.

More Information

The Tour

The trolley tours depart every night from Sunday, November 16, 2025, through Sunday, January 11, 2026. Tours depart every quarter hour beginning at 6:00 p.m., from the Visitor Information Center at 10 West Castillo Drive. The 30 to 45-minute tour makes no stops. Old Town Trolley's open-air Famous Nights of Lights Tour offers a convenient and fun way to see the best of the lights while singing impromptu carols along the way. Wear the magical glasses to see the lights transform into fantastic shapes and, after the trip, enjoy free sugar cookies and apple cider. 

Special Accommodations

• Strollers that fold and fit in your row are welcome on the trolley—larger ones can stay at the check-in kiosk.
• Make wheelchair and scooter reservations at least 24 hours in advance.
• Service dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a qualified individual with a disability are allowed on the trolley.
• Visit here to learn more, to make online reservations, and to check out the F.A.Q.s.

Light Up the Night Contest

Old Town Trolley Tours joins with the Chamber of Commerce and Florida's Historic Coast to present a contest for the best-decorated businesses and homes in the Historic Downtown. Voting begins on Friday, November 21, 2025 and continues through Saturday, January 10, 2026. The top three businesses with the best lighting displays win cash prizes. In addition, there are three new honorable mention awards for the Best Newcomer, Best Bed and Breakfast, and Best Private Residence. Vote for your favorite locations at VoteLights.com.

The Trolley Tour Details

• What: A 30 to 45-minute ride through Historic Downtown aboard an Old Town Trolley; includes magic glasses, an entertaining driver, and seasonal songs on the speakers, plus cider and a cookie after the ride.
• Admission: Tickets are sold by rows and start at $72.99 for a row with up to four people. Prices are higher on peak December evenings. Children three and younger may sit on an adult's lap and ride at no charge.
• When: From Sunday, November 16, 2025, through Sunday, January 11, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. Hours may vary depending on the day.
• Where: Departing from the Visitor Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive.
• Contact: Call (904) 829-3800 or go here for more information and to reserve seats.

Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2025

Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car on 33 days and nights during Nights of Lights. 

Also, 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 three lots, 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 Will it Operate?

• From 1:00 to 11:00 p.m., on 33 days of Nights of Lights, and on December 6 (the day of the Christmas Parade) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• November: 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30
• December: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
• January: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will operate on all 33 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

Light-Up Night Anastasia Shuttles

Two additional lots on Anastasia Island will operate from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Light-Up! Night, November 15, 2025

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

Why Use the Shuttle?

First, it's free.

Second, 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 on a carriage, a trolley, a red train, or a golf cart.

STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights

During the Nights of Lights Season, the STAR bus stops transiting downtown at 4:00 p.m. and moves to a route on Anastasia Island. 

Beginning on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and continuing through January 4, 2026, the STAR bus travels a route on Anastasia Island from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

The bus delivers passengers to 201 Gerado Street, on the east side of the Bridge of Lions. 

It stops at many of the St. Augustine Beach hotels to pick up guests of those hotels and at several parking areas along the route:

• Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Boulevard (There may be less parking available on December 12, during their market)
• St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A S.
• A Street + A1A Beach Boulevard
• St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park, 350 A1a Beach Boulevard

Click here to learn more about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights.