St. Augustine from across the river, with the Bridge of Lions and the city illuminated for Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights 2023 - 2024

Dazzling holiday display of three million lights in St. Augustine.

Nights of Lights begins with "Light-Up Night!" on Saturday, November 18, 2023, shortly after 6:30 p.m., when Historic Downtown St. Augustine lights up with millions of twinkling white lights for the start of the annual Nights of Lights holiday display. Beginning on Light-Up Night!, the colorfully lit Christmas tree is joined by strings of white lights draped over every tree in the Plaza de la Constitución and throughout Historic Downtown. Historic sites, bed and breakfasts, museums, restaurants, and shops all glow with white lights and holiday cheer until January 28, 2024.

Nights of Lights is described as honoring the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during Christmas. Now celebrating 30 years, the tradition continues, with some three million white lights twinkling on the old buildings and landmarks from the bayfront to Cordova Street. Nights of Lights has become famous worldwide as one of the finest places to see holiday lights. The festival has been featured on Top Ten lists in various publications, including the National Geographic and Rachael Ray magazines. The lights will shimmer every night from November 18, 2023, to , Sunday, January 28, 2024.

Upcoming Nights of Lights 2023 - 2024 Events

Ripley's Red Train on a Nights of Lights tour
Tomorrow, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse lit by a full moon
December 1, 2023, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
This field of red reflective circles and starts is evocative of the Christmas season
December 1, 2023, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
December 2, 2023, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Reenactors defending St. Augustine during the Colonial Night Watch.
December 2, 2023, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
December 2, 2023, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

So Many Lights, So Little Time

What to do? Where to go? Where to stay? We have the answers.

Nights of Lights is a great time to Visit St. Augustine. You can enjoy the beaches, shop, and take in a museum or two during the day, and then spend time downtown with all the lights and holiday cheer in the evenings.

Our articles will help you plan everything where to stay, where to park, favorite breakfast spots, and Nights of Lights must-see locations.

What's Happening During Nights of Lights?

Special events, tours, a parade, and a ballet — there is a lot to do during Nights of Lights

Light Up Night on November 18th is the first event of the season. After that, somewhere in town, by land or sea, there are Nights of Lights Tour every day through January 31st.

In addition to those tours, we have the Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown at 9:00 a.m. on December 2nd, and Surf Illumination that evening on St. Augustine Beach from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The rest of December is like that, full of tours, dance, lights, music, and theater. 

In January, the lights remain bright, and many tours continue. However, the events aren't focused on Christmas. Instead,  January events include a Film Festival, A Blues Festival, and a Pirate Festival.

Ripley's Red Train on a Nights of Lights tour
Tomorrow
6:00 pm

Nights of Lights Tours 2023 - 2024

Festive Nights of Lights tours by land, sea, and sky.

During the holiday season, the City of St. Augustine becomes a festival of twinkling white lights as it hosts the annual Nights of Lights display. The festivities start at Light Up Night on Saturday, November 18, 2023, and continue through January 28, 2024.

Dec 2nd
9:00 am

Christmas Parade 2023

Santa is only one star of this annual, large parade.

St. Augustine's 66th Annual Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season with floats, festive decorations and plenty of fun. Lots of local organizations participate in the event, making it one of the largest parades in Northeast Florida.

Dec 2nd
4:00 pm

Surf Illumination — 2023

St. Augustine Beach's Surf Illumination lighting festival kicks off the holiday season.

Surf Illumination, on St. Augustine Beach, provides a colorful addition to St. Augustine's world-famous Nights of Lights holiday display. St. Augustine Beach kicks off the holiday season with a ceremonial lighting beachside at the St. Johns Pier Park on A1A Beach Blvd. from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023.

A large powerboat decorated with hundreds of holiday lights, and with a rock band on the bow for the Regatta of Lights boat parade in historic St. Augustine
Dec 9th
6:00 pm

Regatta of Lights 2023

The local Yacht Club hosts the annual Nights of Lights boat parade.

The annual Regatta of Lights takes St. Augustine's world-famous Nights of Lights onto the water from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on December 9, 2023. Organized by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, sail, power, and paddle vessels of all sizes are decorated with colorful lights to create a dazzling sight for spectators along the bayfront.

A gondola-shaped wooden tray, filled with red flowers and greenery, on a poolside table
Dec 10th
12:00 pm

Christmas Tour of Homes — 2023

An opportunity to see historic private homes decorated for the holidays.

The Annual Christmas Tour of Homes, presented by the Garden Club of St. Augustine, takes visitors inside six private homes in the nation's oldest city on Sunday, December 10, 2023, between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. This walking tour lets guests see these beautiful homes decorated with fresh wreaths, garlands, and floral arrangements.

Dec 31st
8:30 pm

Light Up the Night! New Year's Eve Beach Fireworks Show

Ring in the new year with St. Augustine Beach fireworks.

St. Augustine Beach's New Year's Eve fireworks display begins at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2023, at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier. The Light Up the Beach New Year's Eve Fireworks Show can be viewed at three designated spots along A1A Beach Boulevard: The St. Johns County Ocean Pier, on A Street, and on 10th Street.

More Than the Lights

The lights are great, but what else can you do while in town?

The gamut runs from at least from A to W — from visiting the Alligator Farm to hosting your wedding, there's so much more to do in St. Augustine.