Tips for Visiting Nights of Lights in St Augustine
St Augustine has to be one of the best places to get into the holiday spirit.
Their Nights of Lights event is one of the most magical holiday events in Florida. It completely transforms the Nation’s oldest city into a sparkling wonderland.
There are around three million stunning lights during this iconic celebration. It’s easy to see why so many people make this a holiday tradition year after year.
The St Augustine Nights of Lights season runs from around the end of November to the end of January. This year, it is November 23, 2024 to January 26, 2025.
If you’re planning to experience this festive tradition, here are some essential tips to help you make the most of your visit.
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Where is the Nights of Lights?
Before I attended the event myself, this is a question I had. And it’s also one that I see getting asked a lot. “How do I get to the Nights of Lights?”
It’s not a specific event at a specific place. It’s the whole town. So, basically you will wander around the town taking in all the pretty decorations and lights. As long as you stroll along downtown St Augustine, you won’t really miss anything.
Best of all, its a free event because you’re just walking around wandering!
While the downtown area is one of the best areas to enjoy the lights, there are holiday lights displays all throughout St Augustine. So don’t be afraid to wander around if you have the time.
If you really want to make sure you see it all, I suggest booking a Nights of Lights Tour from the comfort of the trolley.
How to Avoid Crowds
Nights of Lights is a popular event that attracts visitors from all over, so no matter when you visit, it’s going to be relatively busy. But there is a difference between an event being busy and hardly being able to walk, if you know what I mean.
Weekends before New Years Day will be the busiest time for crowds at Nights of Lights.
Like most events, weekends in general will be more crowded than non-weekends. But weekends after New Years will be less busy than the weekends leading up to the holidays.
To avoid crowds, I recommend going during the week if your schedule allows. And if you can go during the week after New Years Day, that’s even better.
Another convenient way of avoiding crowds is booking a tour. A Nights of Lights boat tour gives you a perspective of the lights from the water with less crowds.
Finally, a great way to see them without crowds is in the very early morning. Right before the sun comes up, it’s dark enough to enjoy the lights. Most people enjoy the lights at the end of the day, not in the early morning, so you might even have them to yourself entirely.
Arrive Early for the Best Parking
The main event is around the Historic District of St Augustine, so that’s where everyone will be heading. This can make parking a challenge. You will want to get there early if you’re planning on driving.
There is a parking garage at the Visitor Information Center located at 10 Castillo Drive.
Because the event gets so busy, they also have a park-and-ride shuttle service on Saturdays in December, Thanksgiving weekend (Friday through Sunday), and December 26-28. This can be a good way to avoid the stress of finding a parking spot.
The shuttle will drop you off at the Visitor Information Center (located at 10 Castillo Drive, it’s a convenient location for all of your Nights of Lights exploring). The shuttle will pick you up from any of these parking lots:
- Broudy’s Lot (corner of US 1 & W. King): 198 & 212 W. Street
- St. John’s County Health Department (all of November, but only Saturdays in December): 200 San Sebastian View
- San Marco Lot: 301 San Marco Ave
This dazzling display at one of the historic buildings in St Augustine is a great example of what so many of the buildings throughout the city look like!
Dress for the Weather
Even though Florida is known for its warm climate, evenings in St. Augustine during the winter months can be chilly.
I recommend checking the weather before you leave just in case. Because it also could be very warm. If it’s going to be chilly, I have a guide on what to pack for Florida winters that you can check out.
But the basics are to dress in layers, bring a jacket, and wear comfortable shoes.
Dinner Reservations
Saint Augustine has incredible dining options. There is fine dining, waterfront casual dining, and everything in between. Many of the restaurants in Saint Augustine offer incredible views of the light displays.
Because it can get very busy, you’ll want to make reservations. The lines outside of restaurants can be hours long without them and some restaurants are reservation-only during this time of year.
Here are some great dining options:
- Casa Reina – Mexican, Latin American, and Florida Coastal cuisine. The best seats are outside for water views or upstairs for the best views of the lights.
- The Floridian – Southern flare with a twist, locally sourced food, and locally owned.
- Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille – Southern food located right across from the Bridge of Lions. The courtyard has outdoor lights year-round. They also have a balcony upstairs.
- Catch 27 – Everything is made from scratch known for their fresh and locally caught seafood. In the heart of historic St. Augustine.
- Ice Plant – Well known restaurant for farm-to-table food and great craft cocktails.
- Mojo Old City BBQ – A more casual, laid back option with the best BBQ
Where to Grab a Drink
If you’re waiting on your dinner reservations or want to head out afterwards, there are some great places to grab some holiday cheer (aka a drink).
There is a Miracle Bar popup at Forgotten Tonic. If you’re not familiar, Miracle Bar is a holiday popup bar that opens in several bars throughout the world. They serve holiday-inspired cocktails. I’ve also loved Miracle Bar pop ups at the Daytrader in Seaside and in at Intermezzo in St Pete.
The Tini Martini Bar at Casablanca Inn is a popular spot to grab a drink because their decorations are incredible.
Boat Drinks and The Chatsworth Pub both offer holiday themed cocktail menus.
Stay Overnight to Avoid Being Rushed
Even though Nights of Lights might be your main reason for visiting St Augustine, the city has so much to offer that I don’t think you could ever see it all!
There are so many great places to eat, historic sites to see, fun bars to enjoy, and places to wander. The best way to have plenty of time to explore is to spend the night. Or a couple of nights if you have the time.
Three days in St Augustine (a long weekend) is a good amount of time to see a lot. I have some great hotel recommendations for St Augustine as well.
Other Events to Know About
St Augustine has some amazing holiday events in addition to Nights of Lights. If any of these sound interesting, you might want to add them to your itinerary.
Christmas Parade – Decked out floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus! December 7 , 2024
Christmas Tour of Homes – 6 homes all decked out in Christmas decor. This year (2024), the theme is Christmas in the Gilded Age. December 8, 2024 (reservations required)
Regatta of Lights – a boat parade holiday style. Boats get all decked out in holiday lights, it’s a fun Florida twist on a holiday parade! December 14, 2024
Villa Zorayda Museum Candlelight Tour – the museum gets all decked out in holiday decor, including over 100 candles. During the candlelit tour, you’ll learn about the museum’s 140 year history. Ongoing dates
Final Thoughts
I’m convinced that St Augustine is one of the best places to take in the holiday season. To be fair, this historic city is one of the best places to visit any time of year. But St. Augustine’s annual Nights of Lights is an unforgettable holiday experience filled with history, charm, and dazzling displays.
Hopefully these tips give you a smooth and enjoyable trip filled with dazzling lights and holiday magic. Whether you choose to explore on foot, by trolley, or from the water, you’ll be enchanted by the holiday spirit that fills Florida’s oldest city.
Maybe you’ll love it so much that you’ll make it an annual event!
