St. Augustine Christmas Lights 2026
Dates, parking and the calmest nights to see 3 million lights.
From official Visit St. Augustine pages, Nov. 11, 2026.
Tap the map to see it full size.
The short version
- Dates: every night, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026 to Monday, Jan. 18, 2027.
- Hours: lights on at dusk (about 5:30 pm) until past 2 am.
- Cost: free to walk around. You pay for parking and tours.
- Calmest nights: Monday to Thursday, outside the free-shuttle days listed below.
- From Palm Coast: about 30 miles north on I-95 or US-1.
The big nights in 2026
| Event | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Light-Up! Night | Sat., Nov. 21, 4:00-7:30 pm | The lights switch on at 6:30 pm. Music on the Plaza from 5:30. Biggest crowd of the season. |
| Christmas Parade | Sat., Dec. 5, 9:00-10:30 am | A morning parade, with Santa. Roads close from 8:15 am. |
| Regatta of Lights | Sat., Dec. 12, 6:00-7:30 pm | Lit-up boats on the water. Less room on the bayfront this year; see below. |
More details
Where to see the lights
There isn't one single spot. Most of the lights are close together, so one easy loop covers the best of it:
- Plaza de la Constitución: the heart of it. Every tree is lit, with a big colorful Christmas tree in the middle. Benches here make it a good place to rest.
- King Street: the Lightner Museum and Flagler College have some of the most elaborate displays.
- The bayfront: lit palm trees along the water, a short walk from the Plaza.
- Bridge of Lions: the sidewalk gives you the whole lit skyline across the water.
Parking: free shuttle days and the garage
This is not a driving event. You park once, then walk or take a tour. Downtown has only one parking garage, and it fills on busy nights.
Free park-and-ride shuttle days (2026-27):
- Sat., Nov. 21 (Light-Up Night): 4-11 pm
- Sat., Dec. 5 (parade day): 8 am-11 pm
- 1-11 pm on Nov. 27 and 28; Dec. 4, 11, 12, 13, 18-24 and 26-31; Jan. 1 and 2
Free lots: 200 San Sebastian View (off US-1), Broudy's lot at 198 West King Street (off US-1), and the San Marco lot at 301 San Marco Avenue. The shuttles take you to the Visitor Information Center and bring you back. Coming from Palm Coast on US-1, the two lots off US-1 are the easiest to reach.
The downtown garage (off Castillo Drive, by the Visitor Information Center): $20 for the day, but $40 after 1 pm on shuttle days.
New Year's Eve: no nighttime shuttle into downtown on Dec. 31.
Our tip for a calm visit: pick a weeknight that isn't on the shuttle list, such as Monday, Dec. 7 or Tuesday, Dec. 8. Crowds are smaller, tour lines are shorter, and the garage is the regular $20.
Easy ways to see it all (less walking)
The old streets are narrow and some are brick, so a ride can be a big help. Prices below are as listed on Visit St. Augustine in November 2026:
| Tour | How long | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town Trolley Nights of Lights tour, from the Visitor Information Center, every 15 minutes from 6 pm | 30-45 min | From $72.99 per row (up to 4 people) |
| Ripley's Red Train "lightseeing" tour, from 19 San Marco Ave., from 6 pm | 30 min | $24.99 per seat |
| Boat cruises on the bay, several companies (some boats are wheelchair-accessible; ask when you book) | About 1 hour | About $35-$75 per person |
| Free historic walking tour, Saturdays at 6 pm, Nov. 28-Jan. 16 (reservations: 904-825-0087) | Walking | Free |
Trolley and train tours start Nov. 22. Popular nights sell out, so book ahead for weekends.
Regatta of Lights: where to watch in 2026
The lit-up boats sail between the Vilano Fishing Pier and the Bridge of Lions on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 7:30 pm. This year, construction leaves less room to watch from the bayfront walk. The best spots are the Bridge of Lions, the Vilano Fishing Pier, or a second-floor restaurant deck along the bayfront. Boat trips for the Regatta sell out fast.
Staying closer to home? See Palm Coast's 2026 holiday events, including the Dec. 5 boat parade and the Dec. 12 Starlight Parade.
Comfort tips
- Restrooms: six public restrooms downtown, with accessible stalls at the Municipal Marina and the Visitor Information Center. The free Nights of Lights app shows where they are.
- Wheelchairs and scooters are welcome. Expect some brick streets and crowds on weekends.
- Bring a light jacket. It can be breezy and cool by the water after dark.
- Go early or late. The lights stay on past 2 am, so it's much quieter after the dinner rush.
Where this information comes from
From Florida Chores, a Palm Coast chore service. Dates, prices and shuttle days are from the official Visit St. Augustine pages as of November 11, 2026. Check the Nights of Lights app before you go, since details can change.
Want your own home to glow like this?
We hang Christmas lights in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell: roofline, palm trees, bushes and the lanai. Then we come back in January to take them down. You never touch a ladder.
See how our Christmas light installation works
Call (315) 542-8036Or text a photo of the front of your home to (315) 542-8036. A real person gets back to you.
Common questions
When are the St. Augustine Christmas lights 2026?
Every night from Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026 through Monday, Jan. 18, 2027. The lights come on at dusk, around 5:30 pm, and stay on past 2 am.
Is Nights of Lights free?
Yes. Walking around to see the lights is free. You only pay for parking (unless you use a free shuttle day) and for any tour you choose.
Where do you park?
On free shuttle days, use one of the free lots off US-1 or San Marco Avenue and take the shuttle. Otherwise, the downtown garage off Castillo Drive is $20 a day, or $40 after 1 pm on shuttle days.
What's the least crowded time to go?
A Monday-to-Thursday night that isn't on the shuttle list, and either early in the evening or after about 9 pm.
When is the Regatta of Lights 2026?
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 6 to 7:30 pm. Watch from the Bridge of Lions or the Vilano Fishing Pier this year.
When is the Christmas Parade 2026?
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 9 to 10:30 am, from the Mission Nombre de Dios to the Visitor Information Center.