St. Augustine Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights runs nightly from November 23, 2024 through January  2025

St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights | 2024-2025 is celebrating 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.
NOTE: The information below will be update for 2024 season later in the year

Aviles Street in Historic Downtown dressed in holiday decor for St. Augustine's Nights of Lights holiday display.

  • Date: Nightly, from November 23, 2024 through January 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 2025. Holding the distinct honor as one of the 10 Best Holiday Displays In The World by National Geographic, this year celebrating the 30th anniversary of this event.

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.

Note: The last shuttle will pick riders up from the Visitor Information Center and return them to their vehicles no later than 11 pm.

Shuttle Service Photo

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, costs $20 per vehicle per entry or $3 per vehicle per with a ParkNow card.  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

Musical Entertainment at the Visitors Center

Enjoy the Nights of Lights Musical Performances 2023 – 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

Sunday, November 19   — Beachside HS Chorus
Monday, November 20  — Ponte Vedra HS Sharkapellas
Friday, November 24     — A Swing and A Miss (Jazz Ensemble)
Saturday, November 25 — St. Augustine Hs, SJCCA Musical Theatre

Sunday, November 26   — Pedro Menendez HS Dance Ensemble
Friday, December 1       — Beachside HS Musical Theatre
Saturday, December 2   — Palm Valley Academy Jazz Band

Sunday, December 3     — Ponte Vedra HS Drumline
Thursday, December 7  — Beachside HS Chorus
Friday, December 8       — Bartram Trail HS, Voice of Bartram
Saturday, December 9   — Murray MS, SJCCA Jazz Band and The Jolly Jingling Bulldog Choir

Sunday, December 10    — Fruti Cove MS Flyers Jazz Ensemble
Friday, December 15      — Valley Ridge Academy Jazz Band
Saturday, December 16  — Pedro Menendez HS, Falala Falcons Christmas Cabaret

Sunday, December 17          — St. Augustine HS, SJCCA Jazz Band
Monday, December 18         — Freedom Crossing Academy Musical Theatre
Tuesday, December 19        — St. Augustine HS, SJCCA Band
Wednesday, December 20   — Gamble Rogers MS Chorus
Thursday, December 21      — Pacetti Bay MS Vocal Ensemble
Friday, December 22           — Tocoi Creek HS Jazz Ensemble
Saturday, December 23       — A Swing and A Miss (Jazz Ensemble)

Tuesday, December 26         — Ancient City Brass Band
Wednesday, December 27   — Ancient City Brass Band
Thursday, December 28       — Ancient City Brass Band
Friday, December 29            — Pedro Menendez HS, Falala Falcons Christmas Cabaret
Saturday, December 30        — Ancient City Brass Band

Explore the Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights runs nightly from November 23, 2024 through January 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!

A photo of people riding the Old Town Trolley in front of the Lightner Museum during St. Augustine's Nights of Lights holiday display.

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.