St. Augustine Nights of Lights 2026: Dates, Tips and Getting There from Orlando

Every holiday season, St. Augustine covers its historic downtown in millions of white lights for Nights of Lights, one of the best-known holiday light displays in the country. It's free to see. 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

• 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.

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