St. Augustine’s internationally acclaimed Nights of Lights festival returns on Saturday, Nov. 23, and continues nightly through Jan. 26. Since 1994 the city provided this festive atmosphere inspired by the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in windows during the Christmas holidays.
The festival kicks off with Light Up! Night on Saturday, Nov. 23, beginning at 4 p.m. and featuring music and live performances. The official lighting ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución when a switch is flipped and more than 3 million white lights illuminate and outline public and private buildings, bridges, trees and more throughout St. Augustine’s Historic District.
Whether visitors want to stroll, ride or sail, there are many options for Nights of Lights experiences. For those comfortable on foot, the Christmas tree in the Plaza de la Constitución, Lightner Museum and the Bridge of Lions are can’t-miss selfie spots. Ancient City Tours offers guided walking tours that include St. Augustine’s history. For a unique vantage point from above, climb 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum or hop on a sightseeing flight with First City Helicopters.
For a festive tour, climb aboard Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour or Santa’s Red Express Tours. Each has a convivial atmosphere with music and fun facts. St. Augustine Land & Sea Tours offers luxury golf cart tours (in Spanish and English), while Country Carriages takes a step back in time with romantic and snuggly horse-drawn carriage tours. The Tasting Tours offers a variety of tours on horse-drawn carriages and open-air electric shuttles. Choose from an adults-only wine tour or the family-oriented Un-Merry Grinchmas Rides, Bah-Humbug Scrooge Ride and Magical Ride with Santa.
There are dozens of ways to explore the Nights of Lights adventures waiting in the Nation’s Oldest City. Make planning your brilliant adventure a breeze with the trip planner or the new AI Assistant on FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
