Schooner Freedom Nights of Lights

The Schooner Freedom offers a two-hour Nights of Lights Sunset from November 15, 2025, through January 11, 2026 — with the exceptions of Thanksgiving (November 27), December 24, and December 25. The daily Nights of Lights / Sunset sails leave the dock at 4:15 p.m. and return at 6:15 p.m.

The two-hour Schooner Freedom Nights of Lights Sunset cruise departs at 4:15 p.m. and offers complimentary refreshments including soda, water, beer, wine, and hot chocolate.

The Details

• What: This two-hour Nights of Lights cruise takes place on a 41-passenger schooner, decorated from stem to stern with lights.
• Admission: $75.00 per person plus tax.
• When: The Sunset Nights of Lights cruise leaves the dock at 4:15 p.m., from November 15, 2025, through January 11, 2026.
• Exceptions: There are no tours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Tours are not available on November 13, December 10, and December 13.
• Where: Departing from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. There is only metered parking in the area, and it fills quickly. Please leave plenty of time to park your vehicle or ride the shuttle downtown.
• Contact: Call (904) 810-1010, send an email to [email protected], or go to their ticket office at the marina.

Above photo courtesy of Cody Burgdorf.

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.