St. Augustine in December means Nights of Lights: more than three million white lights across the historic district every evening from 5:30pm, free to walk and see. The month also brings the Christmas Parade on December 5, the torch-lit Colonial Night Watch that same evening and the Regatta of Lights on December 12. The catch is traffic, so plan parking before you go.
This guide covers the 2026 dates, the best ways to see the lights, where to park on busy nights and how to book a December stay that keeps you out of the car. For the bigger picture of the region, see our Northeast Florida guide.
When is Nights of Lights in St. Augustine?
Nights of Lights runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026 through Monday, January 18, 2027. The lights switch on every evening at 5:30pm and stay on past 2am, so there’s no need to rush in at dusk if you’d rather have dinner first.
The festival opens with Light-Up! Night on November 21. Entertainment in the Plaza de la Constitución starts at 4pm, and the lights come on around 6:30pm. It’s the single most crowded night of the season. If you want the full lights without the crush, come on a weeknight in early or mid-December.
The tradition dates to 1993 and was inspired by the Spanish custom of placing a white candle in a window at Christmas. Lights cover rooftops, live oaks in the plaza, the bayfront and the Bridge of Lions, with the densest displays around the plaza and along Avenida Menendez.
St. Augustine December 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightly through Jan. 18, 2027 | Nights of Lights | 5:30pm to after 2am | Free |
| Fri., Dec. 4 | First Friday Art Walk | 5pm to 9pm | Free |
| Fri. and Sat., Dec. 4 and 5 | Colonial Night Watch encampment | 10am to 4pm | Free |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | St. Augustine Christmas Parade | 9am to 10:30am | Free |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Colonial Night Watch torch-lit parade | 7pm | Free |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Regatta of Lights boat parade | 6pm | Free |
| Dec. 11 to 13 | Dickens on Centre, Fernandina Beach (day trip) | Varies by day | Free market |
What else happens in St. Augustine at Christmas?
Three free events stand out in December, and two of them land on the same Saturday. Plan December 5 as a full day downtown, or avoid it entirely if you don’t like crowds.
St. Augustine Christmas Parade
The St. Augustine Christmas Parade steps off Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 9am from the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios on Ocean Avenue. It heads south through the historic district and ends behind the Visitor Information Center on West Castillo Drive. Good viewing spots are the west side of San Marco Avenue, Cathedral Place and Cordova Street. Roads along the route close at 8:15am.
Colonial Night Watch
That evening at 7pm, costumed British, Spanish and East Florida Ranger militia carry torches and lanterns from the Visitor Information Center through the City Gate and down St. George Street to the Governor’s House on the plaza. The program ends with a welcome speech, three musket volleys and a carol sing-along. During the day on December 4 and 5, the encampment at the Oldest House Museum on St. Francis Street has free living history demonstrations from 10am to 4pm.
Regatta of Lights
The Regatta of Lights brings decorated boats along Matanzas Bay on Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 6pm. Bayfront viewing space is limited this year because of construction, so arrive early. If you’re coming from Anastasia Island, watch from the Bridge of Lions.
First Friday Art Walk
The First Friday Art Walk on December 4 opens more than 25 galleries from 5pm to 9pm. There’s no free art walk trolley in December or January, so plan on walking between Aviles Street, King Street and the Uptown galleries on San Marco Avenue.
What is the best way to see Nights of Lights?
Walking is free and still the best way to see the lights up close. Start at the plaza, walk the bayfront toward the Castillo de San Marcos, then wander Aviles Street and St. George Street. Allow about two hours at an easy pace.
Trolleys, trains and golf carts
Narrated trolley tours with holiday music, the red train, golf cart tours and pedicabs all run during the season, and most charge a fee. They’re a good option for anyone who can’t walk far, and the guides add history you’d miss on foot. Book a specific time online ahead of December weekends.
From the water
Seeing the bayfront from Matanzas Bay is one of the season’s best experiences. Schooner Freedom runs Nights of Lights sunset and evening sails from the municipal marina on Avenida Menendez. Bring a jacket, since it’s noticeably colder on the water after dark.
Lighthouse Illuminations
Across the Bridge of Lions, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum hosts Lighthouse Illuminations, a ticketed evening event with 21 themed trees, a lit Keepers’ House and a view of the downtown lights from the tower. Parking there is free, which makes it an easy add-on for an evening when downtown is packed.
Where should you park for Nights of Lights?
On busy days, use the free park-and-ride shuttles. On quiet weeknights, the city garage is easiest. Either way, don’t plan on circling for street parking near the plaza.
Historic Downtown Parking Facility
The city garage on Cordova Street, next to the Visitor Information Center, charges $20 for the day on non-shuttle days, or if you enter before 1pm on a shuttle day. Enter at or after 1pm on a shuttle day and the rate is $40. Private lots run about $20 to $40. Only use lots that clearly welcome visitors, or you risk being towed.
Free park-and-ride shuttles
On 23 high-traffic days, the city runs free shuttles to the Visitor Information Center from three lots:
- St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, off US 1
- Broudy’s Lot, 198 West King Street, off US 1
- San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Avenue
Shuttles run 1pm to 11pm on most shuttle days, 4pm to 11pm on Light-Up! Night and 8am to 11pm on parade day, December 5. The 2026 to 2027 shuttle days are:
- November: 21, 27, 28
- December: 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18 through 24, 26 through 31
- January: 1, 2
For Light-Up! Night only, park at Anastasia Baptist Church (1650 A1A South) or R.B. Hunt Elementary School (125 Magnolia Drive) on Anastasia Island and walk across the Bridge of Lions. The free STAR Circulator bus also loops between the Visitor Information Center and St. Augustine Beach. Check the official Nights of Lights parking page before you leave, since details can change.
What is the weather like in St. Augustine in December?
December days are usually mild, often in the 60s, with cool evenings that can dip into the 40s after a front comes through. It’s rarely cold enough to stop a walking tour, but you’ll want a jacket on the bayfront and on any boat. Rain is less frequent than in summer.
Daylight is short. Sunset comes before 5:30pm, which works in your favor: you can see a museum in the afternoon, have an early dinner and still be on the plaza when the lights are at their best.
What to do during the day in December
Daytime crowds are lighter than evening crowds, so December is a good month to see the museums. The Lightner Museum on King Street is open 9am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm, and adult tickets are $20. It’s closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Its grounds, the old Alcazar Hotel courtyard, are among the most photographed spots once the lights come on.
The Castillo de San Marcos, the Colonial Quarter and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum are all within a few blocks of the plaza. For a slower day, cross to Anastasia Island for the lighthouse and a winter beach walk. You’ll find more ideas on the St. Augustine area page.
Where to eat and drink in St. Augustine in December
Reserve dinner for weekends and the weeks around Christmas, especially for 6pm to 8pm. Waterfront spots on Avenida Menendez, such as O.C. White’s Restaurant and Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House, put you right on the lit bayfront. Catch 27 on Charlotte Street and La Nouvelle Bistro on Bridge Street are good picks for a sit-down dinner a short walk from the plaza.
For a warm drink while you walk, Nero’s Waterfront Cafe is on the bayfront, and the Spanish Bakery & Cafe off St. George Street is good for a pastry stop earlier in the day. When the lights are done, our guide to things to do in St. Augustine at night covers bars, live music and ghost tours.
Where to stay in St. Augustine for Nights of Lights
Stay inside the historic district and you can walk to the lights and skip parking entirely. December weekends book up early, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
- On the bayfront: Casablanca Inn on the Bay, Bayfront Westcott House and Bayfront Marin House all face Matanzas Bay on Avenida Menendez.
- Quiet side streets: The Kenwood Inn on Marine Street, the St. Francis Inn on St. George Street and Casa de Solana on Aviles Street are south of the plaza and a short walk from the lights.
- North of the plaza: Agustin Inn and Carriage Way Inn on Cuna Street are close to the City Gate and the San Marco Avenue galleries.
Many inns set minimum stays on December weekends. If downtown is full, Jacksonville is about 45 minutes north, and our Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island guide covers Dickens on Centre, the region’s other big holiday weekend.
FAQ
Is Nights of Lights free?
Yes. Walking the historic district to see Nights of Lights is free, and no ticket is needed. You pay only for parking and for optional trolley, train, boat or golf cart tours. On shuttle days, the free park-and-ride lots keep the cost close to zero.
What is the best night to see Nights of Lights?
For the fewest crowds, pick a Monday through Thursday in early to mid-December or in January before the lights end on January 18, 2027. Avoid Light-Up! Night (November 21), parade day (December 5) and the week between Christmas and New Year’s unless you want the festive crowd. Arrive after 7pm on weeknights for the easiest parking.
How much is parking in St. Augustine during Nights of Lights?
The city garage on Cordova Street is $20 for the day, rising to $40 if you enter at or after 1pm on one of the 23 shuttle days. Private lots run about $20 to $40. The three park-and-ride shuttle lots are free.
What time do the lights turn on in St. Augustine?
The lights come on at 5:30pm every evening and stay lit past 2am. On Light-Up! Night, November 21, 2026, the ceremony starts at 4pm and the lights switch on around 6:30pm.
Is the St. Augustine Christmas Parade worth it?
It’s a classic small-town parade through a very old city, and it’s free. Go if you’re already in town on December 5, since that evening also has the Colonial Night Watch torch-lit parade. Use the shuttles, which start at 8am that day, and stake out a spot on San Marco Avenue or Cathedral Place.
How many days do you need for St. Augustine in December?
Two nights is ideal: one evening for walking the lights and one for a boat or trolley tour, with daytime for museums and the lighthouse. A single overnight works if you plan a weeknight and book dinner ahead.