St. Augustine Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights runs nightly from November 23, 2024 through January 26, 2025
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights 2024-2025 is celebrating over 30 years of bringing joy to our community and visitors. Nights of Lights is only made possible by dozens of individual participating businesses. Thanks to them, as well as the City of St. Augustine, this brings people downtown each year to enjoy the free holiday light display with their family and friends.
- Date: Nightly, from November 23, 2024 through January 26, 2025.
- Time: Each night the light display turns on at dusk and remains on throughout the night.
During the holidays, St. Augustine becomes a truly magical place with millions of tiny white lights adorning the city. This award-winning, annual event – “Nights of Lights” – runs nightly … this year from November 23, 2024 through January 26, 2025. Holding the distinct honor as one of the 10 Best Holiday Displays In The World by National Geographic.
Parking and Shuttle Information
Nights of Lights Free Shuttle Service
Our free shuttle service is back again this Nights of Lights 2024 – 2025 season!
ONLY on the special nights listed below, avoid traffic and park for free by riding the free shuttles available. Each shuttle picks up riders from three locations and drops them off near Historic Downtown.
Please be aware that only small lap dogs and service dogs are permitted on the shuttle bus!
- Friday, November 24 (Thanksgiving weekend)
- Saturday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
- Every Saturday in December (2, 9, 16, 23)
- Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29, 2023
- No Shuttles on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve
North City and US 1 Parking Shuttle Locations
These perimeter parking lot shuttles offer service on all days of operation, from 1:00pm to 11:00pm.
- San Marco Lot
301 San Marco Avenue (32084) - St. Johns County Health Department
200 San Sebastian View (32084) - Broudy’s Lot (corner of US 1 and W. King)
198 & 212 W. King St.
Note: The last shuttle will pick riders up from the Visitor Information Center and return them to their vehicles no later than 11 pm.
Parking Under the Nights of Lights
Here are a few tips for parking during the Nights of Lights:
- Historic Downtown Parking Facility, near the Visitors Information Center, Garage rates are 7am to 5pm – $20, 5pm to 9pm $5, except during special events $20 all day.$20 per vehicle per entry or $3 per vehicle per with a ParkNow card. Any ParkNow card will not be recharged after funds are depleted. The parking garage accommodates 1,200 vehicles.
- Pay attention to parking spaces monitored by parking meters and NEVER park by a curb marked in yellow.
- Time limit: on-street: 3 hours / parking lots: 4 hours
- City of St Augustine has also provided a parking finder.
Musical Entertainment at the Visitors Center
Enjoy the Nights of Lights Musical Performances 2024 – sponsored by Old Town Trolleys – while waiting for the trolley … or if you happen to be passing by. This will surely put you in the Holiday Spirit!
Performances are on select nights from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Old Town Trolley Nights of Lights Guest Queuing Area – Visitor Information Center.
Performance Schedule | Information
The entertainment schedule is being finalized for this year and will be added as soon as it becomes available. Please keep checking back.
Explore the Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights runs nightly from November 23, 2024 through January 26, 2025.
There are many ways to partake in the Nights of Lights fun, the most popular way is to walk around with good company, enjoying the display and bayfront location! Hot cocoa, a scarf, and a pair of mittens are all you need for a cozy viewing of the Ancient City in all its glory. However, if you are looking for an offbeat tour, St. Augustine offers fantastic tours by Land, Sea, and Air! Regardless of how you spend your night – be sure to take a ride over the Bridge of Lions, from Anastasia Island. The view of the Bayfront lit with thousands of bulbs flickering in the wind is one of St. Augustine’s most memorable images!
Land Tours
A timeless way to experience Nights of Lights is via Ripley’s Red Train, or Old Town Trolley. There is something about riding through town while singing along to Christmas carols that is untouchable to any other St. Augustine experience! For a more laidback experience, book a Nights of Lights Carriage Ride with the Tasting Tours of St. Augustine – paired with complimentary wine and souvenir glasses, you’re sure to make a few memories!
Water Tours
Famously romantic, viewing the lights from the Matanzas River has been a long-time favorite of locals and travelers alike. The gentle winter breeze, calm rocking of the ship, and an informative guide are a perfect setting for a Florida holiday experience. Schooner Freedom Charters, St. Augustine Scenic Cruise and St. Augustine Eco Tours are just a few of the options giving you the opportunity to enjoy the Nights of Lights season along the bayfront of St. Augustine.
Air Tours
Adventurers, there is even a way for you to experience the city-wide holiday display! First City Helicopters has been showcasing St. Augustine’s skyline of lights since the very first Nights of Lights. A flight over St. Augustine is exactly the kind of thing you would see on a Bucket List and is sure to be a memory you’ll never forget! Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time.