Artists Celebrate Family Traditions

To celebrate the holiday season and Nights of Lights, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum teams up with the St. Augustine Art Association to present festive displays on the historic property's fireplace walls. The 2026/27 season's theme is Family Traditions. Several local artists each decorate one fireplace mantle and the surrounding wall to honor family holiday traditions. 

The Tours

Take a self-guided audio tour to learn about life in St. Augustine during the Second Spanish Era (1784 to 1821) and beyond, and enjoy the artfully decorated mantles.

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Sunday. You may purchase tickets for self-guided audio tours when they are open. 

The decorations are on display from November 21, 2026, through January 18, 2027.

Built during St. Augustine's Second Spanish Period, the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum contains period-appropriate collections and furnishings.

Event Details

• Admission: $20.00 per adult for the self-guided tour, $15.00 for teachers, military, first responders, students older than 12, and seniors; $5.00 for children ages seven to 12. 
• When: Monday through Saturday, November 21, 2026, through January 18, 2027, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Get your tickets in advance and book a time for your tour,
• Exceptions: Ximenez-Fatio House Museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day
• Where: Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
• Parking: The museum's lot at 28 Cadiz Street has limited spaces for use only while you tour the museum. For other parking information, see the information below.

Parking and Shuttles During Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights is a event best enjoyed by walking or by taking a walking, riding, or boat tour.

There are two types of bus routes:

1. Free Park and Ride Shuttles on select days. (See Below)
2. Free STAR Circulator Bus on a loop between the Visitor Information Center and St. Augustine Beach.

Free Park and Ride Shuttles

• Park for free in one of the lots outside of town.
• Take a free shuttle bus to the Visitor Information Center, and enjoy Nights of Lights.
• 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?

• 4:00 to 11:00 pm. on Light-Up! Night, November 21.
• 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade).
• 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the remaining 21 high-attendance days during Nights of Lights.
  • November: 27 and 28
  • December: 4, 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 on the days 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, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m., park for free in one of two lots on Anastasia Island and use the Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle, provided by Historic Tours of America. 

• Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South
• R.B. Hunt Elementary School, 125 Magnolia Drive (off A1A South)
• You will have to walk across the Bridge of Lions to get to town and walk back across the bridge to take the shuttle.

Why Use the Lots and Shuttle Service?

• It's free.
• You avoid driving around (and around) the city looking for a parking spot.
• When the shuttles are operating, the parking garage charges $40.00 after 1:00 p.m.
  • If you arrive before 1:00 p.m or on any day the shuttles don't operate the garage charges $20.00 for the day. 
  • St Johns County residents with ParkStAug pay normal resident price.
• Neighborhoods bordering downtown enact Resident Only Parking on the streets during Nights of Lights. There will be private paid lots in the area, but no on-street parking.

Busiest Days with Heavy Traffic

You can absolutely enjoy these days. Just plan to arrive early.

Here are the special events that will impact the traffic and the shuttles:

• Light-UP! Night, Saturday, November 21—Added shuttles from Anastasia start at 4:00 p.m.
• Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 5—The shuttles start operating at 8:00 a.m.
• Regatta of Lights, Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Coming from Ponte Vedra? View the boats from the Vilano Fishing Pier. Coming from Anastasia? View the boats from the bridge. The viewing space on the bayfront is limited due to construction.