UnMerry GrinchMas Ride

Electric Vehicle Rides with the Grinch

From Sunday, November 22, 2026, to Monday, January 18, 2027, Tasting Tours presents the Grinch, a tour guide with attitude, on a 45-minute electric vehicle ride. This family-friendly tour is fun for those not frightened by a mean green fellow in a Santa suit. By day, he provides a slightly grouchy but more family-friendly tour. After dark, you can enjoy the lights and the Grinch in all his grouchiness.

With a chip on his shoulder, the Grinch begrudgingly drives through downtown in an open-air electric vehicle where Christmas lights shine bright on all the shops, as wreaths, bows, and an entire enchanting city of decor bring the holiday to life. The Grinch plays holiday music (only because it's part of his job) while attempting to share his perspectives on the season of joy. 

The Details

• What: A 35- to 45-minute un-merry ride through town with the Grinch aboard a nine-passenger EV.
• Admission: Daytime at $45.00 per person regardless of age. $360.00 for a private tour for up to nine people. Nighttime at $55.00 per person and $440.00 for a private ride for up to nine people.
• When: Grinch tours operate from November 22, 2026, through January 18, 2027.
• Exceptions: There are no tours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
• Where: Departing from 47 Cordova Street.
• Contact: Call (904) 325-3911 or go to their website to book a tour.

Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2026/27

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

We do not have information for the 2026/27 season. We will update this as soon as the information is available.

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 5 (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 Island 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?

• 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 on a carriage, a trolley, a red train, or a golf cart.
• * When the shuttles are operating, the parking garage fee will be $40.00. (This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents who have registered with ParkStAug. You can register online or at the office on Bridge Street.

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 (EXCEPT FOR DECEMBER 31!), 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

On December 31, 2025

1. Shuttle service will only operate at St. Augustine Beach.
2. Historic Tours of America provides free park and ride shuttle services for the City of St. Augustine Beach and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show, and there will be no nighttime service to the City of St. Augustine for Nights of Lights.
3. The STAR Circulator will resume its Nights of Lights operations on Anastasia Island on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and will continue nightly through Sunday, January 11.

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