Nights of Lights 2026

Dates
Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 18, 2027
Light-Up Night
Saturday, Nov 21
Cost
Free to see
From Orlando
About 1 hr 45 min

St. Augustine's Nights of Lights runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026 through Monday, January 18, 2027, with millions of white lights across the historic downtown every evening. It's free to see, and St. Augustine is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Orlando. Here's what to know for 2026.

Nights of Lights 2026 dates

  • Light-Up Night: Saturday, November 21, 2026. The ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución starts in the afternoon, and the lights come on after dark.
  • Lights on through: Monday, January 18, 2027 (Martin Luther King Jr. weekend).

The lights come on every evening for the whole season.

Getting there from Orlando

St. Augustine is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Orlando. Two good options:

  • Drive yourself. Leave Orlando by early afternoon, explore the old town in daylight, then stay for the lights. Downtown parking fills up on December weekends, so arrive early.
  • Take a tour. The Nights of Lights tour from Orlando includes round-trip transportation, a holiday trolley ride and hot cider with cookies. It has only a few reviews so far, so read the details first.

How to see the lights

  • Walk. The bayfront, the Plaza and St. George Street are the heart of the display, and all walkable.
  • Ride a trolley or tram. Several companies run lights tours with narration, a good pick with kids or tired feet.
  • See it from the water. Evening boat cruises give the best view of the bayfront and the Bridge of Lions.

Tips for avoiding Nights of Lights crowds

  • Go on a weeknight. December weekends are packed.
  • Light-Up Night is the busiest night of all. Arrive in the early afternoon if you want to be there for it.
  • Bring a jacket. December nights in St. Augustine often drop into the 40s.
  • Eat early or book ahead. Restaurants downtown get long waits on busy nights.

More holiday lights near Orlando

Not up for the drive? See Christmas lights in Orlando 2026 and where to find snow in Orlando.

See all day trips and Orlando deals

Free park and ride shuttle for Nights of Lights

The tourism board's Nights of Lights page is blunt about it: this is not a drive-through event, and the recommended plan is to park at a satellite lot and ride the free shuttle in.

The city's free shuttle page lists three free lots:

  • Broudy's Lot. 198 W. King Street.
  • North San Marco Lot. 301 San Marco Avenue.
  • St. Johns County Health Department. 200 San Sebastian View.

Every shuttle drops off and picks up at the Visitor Information Center, 10 S. Castillo Drive. Service runs 1 pm to 11 pm on these dates:

  • November. 21, 27 and 28.
  • December. 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, then daily from the 18th through the 31st except Christmas Day.
  • January. 1 and 2.

On Saturday, December 5 the shuttles start at 8 am for the Christmas Parade. The fleet is ADA compliant, but the city warns you may wait for a shuttle with a lift on peak nights. Pets are not allowed on board.

Downtown garage rates during Nights of Lights

If you still want to park downtown, the Historic Downtown Parking Facility switches to special rates from November 21, 2026 to January 18, 2027.

  • Peak dates. Listed at $20 from 7 am to 1 pm and $40 after 1 pm in November 2026. That covers the same nights the shuttle runs.
  • Other dates. Listed at $20 all day on most remaining nights, including January 3 to 18.

So on a shuttle night, the free lots save you up to $40. Metered street spaces are listed at $2.50 an hour with a 4-hour limit, which is tight if you arrive in daylight and stay for the lights.

Light-Up Night schedule

For Saturday, November 21, 2026, the tourism board lists:

  • 4 pm. Live entertainment starts in front of City Hall, 75 King Street.
  • 6:30 pm. The lighting ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución.
  • 4 pm to 11 pm. An extra shuttle from Anastasia Island, leaving from Anastasia Baptist Church (1650 A1A South) and R.B. Hunt Elementary (125 Magnolia Drive) and dropping off at the east end of the Bridge of Lions.

On other nights the lights come on at dusk. The same page links a free official app with maps and shuttle details.

One timing note: the Castillo de San Marcos takes its last admission at 5 pm, so see the fort first. Our St. Augustine day trip guide covers the daytime stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Nights of Lights 2026?

November 21, 2026 through January 18, 2027. Light-Up Night is Saturday, November 21.

Is Nights of Lights free?

Yes. Walking downtown to see the lights is free. Trolley, tram and boat tours cost extra.

What's the best night to go?

A weeknight in early or mid December. Weekends and Light-Up Night are the busiest.

Where do you park for Nights of Lights?

The recommended plan is to park at a satellite lot and ride the free shuttle in. The city lists three free lots: Broudy's Lot at 198 W. King Street, the North San Marco Lot at 301 San Marco Avenue and the St. Johns County Health Department at 200 San Sebastian View.

How far is St. Augustine from Orlando?

About 1 hour 45 minutes.

What time do the Nights of Lights turn on?

On Light-Up Night, Saturday, November 21, 2026, the lighting ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución is at 6:30 pm. On other nights the lights come on at dusk.

How much is parking downtown during Nights of Lights?

On peak dates the Historic Downtown Parking Facility was listed at $20 from 7 am to 1 pm and $40 after 1 pm in November 2026, and $20 all day on most other nights. The free shuttle lots save you up to $40.

Skip the Drive and the Parking

Round-trip transportation from Orlando, a holiday trolley and hot cider.

See the TourSt. Augustine day trip guide

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