St. Augustine Nights of Lights 2026: map, walking route & parking

Updated October 3, 2026 · Pelican Holiday Lights

Every holiday season, the historic district of St. Augustine — the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental United States — is lit with millions of tiny white lights. Nights of Lights has been an annual tradition since the 1990s, it is regularly listed among the best holiday light displays in the world, and in Northeast Florida it's searched for more than any other Christmas lights destination. If you live in Jacksonville, it's an easy and memorable evening trip.

This is a practical guide from a local Christmas light company that isn't connected to the event. The city and the St. Johns County visitors bureau publish the official dates, events and parking information each year — check them before you go, because details change.

The season, week by week

Dates change every year — confirm on the official site. This is the usual rhythm of a Northeast Florida holiday season.

When the lights are on

Nights of Lights traditionally begins with Light-Up! Night in November — the Saturday before Thanksgiving in recent years — and the lights stay on every evening through the end of January. That's more than two months, so there's no need to fight the biggest crowds. Confirm the 2026 Light-Up! Night date on the official site.

What you'll see

The display grew out of a Spanish tradition of placing a white candle in the window during the holidays, which is why it's almost entirely white light. Buildings, balconies, trees and the old city's landmarks are outlined in small white lights around the Plaza de la Constitución, along St. George Street and the bay front, with the Bridge of Lions lit over Matanzas Bay. The effect is soft and warm rather than flashy — the old city itself is the star.

How to see it

On foot

Walking is free and the best way to see the details. A simple loop: start at the Plaza de la Constitución, walk St. George Street, cut over to the bay front and look back at the Bridge of Lions. Wear comfortable shoes — the streets are old and uneven in places.

Trolley and train tours

The sightseeing trolleys and trains that run in the city offer Nights of Lights tours in the evening during the season, often with special glasses or narration. They're popular with kids and older relatives and sell out on busy nights, so book ahead.

Boat tours on the bay

Several boat operators run evening cruises during the season, with the lit bay front and bridge from the water. Book ahead and dress warmly — it's colder on the water than on the street.

Carriage rides

Horse-drawn carriages along the bay front are a classic, especially for couples. Expect a wait on weekends.

Parking and getting there

From most of Jacksonville, St. Augustine is roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car via I-95 or US-1, more on busy weekends. The city's main parking garage by the visitor center fills up early on December weekends. In some years the city has offered park-and-ride shuttles on the busiest nights — check the official site for this season's options. Arriving before dark on a weeknight is the easiest way to park and get a table for dinner.

Best nights to go

• Weeknights in early December — the lights are all on, the crowds are lighter.
• January — the display is still up through the end of the month and the city is quieter.
• Light-Up! Night — festive but very crowded; go for the atmosphere, not the parking.
• The Regatta of Lights — a lighted boat parade on the bay is traditionally held in December; check the date if you'd like to combine it.

Tips from locals

1. Eat early or reserve — downtown restaurants fill fast on December evenings.
2. Bring a light jacket; the bay front gets breezy after dark.
3. Stroller or wheelchair? Stick to the plaza and the bay front, where the walking is smoothest.
4. Take photos at blue hour, just after sunset, when the sky is still deep blue behind the lights.

St. Augustine homes

Outside the historic district, St. Augustine neighborhoods — Davis Shores, Lincolnville, Anastasia Island, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Shores — decorate too, and the Nights of Lights look sets the tone: warm-white, clear-style lights on porches, rooflines and oaks. That's exactly what we install. See Christmas lights in St. Augustine, or the Jacksonville side in our Jacksonville Christmas lights guide.