There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than with an evening at Nights of Lights, a favorite among St. Augustine holiday events. Inspired by the Spanish tradition of displaying white candles in windows at Christmas time, St. Augustine Nights of Lights allows visitors to bask in the glow of millions of stunning holiday lights while exploring 450 years of art, culture, and history.
Here’s everything you need to know about safely experiencing Nights of Lights when you visit Florida’s Historic Coast this holiday season:
Strolling Nights of Lights
This year, the event will run from November 20, 2021, through January 31, 2022. The easiest way to experience it is by simply strolling along St. Augustine’s European-inspired, brick-lined streets. Nothing compares to the feeling of exploring a small European city, surrounded by the best restaurants, live music, galleries, and historic sites in Northeast Florida.
Did you know National Geographic called St. Augustine’s holiday lights one of the top 10 displays in the world?
Downtown St. Augustine is home to a number of phenomenal art galleries. While you’re exploring, stop in to take in the work of the city’s best artists, browse, and even shop for the art lover in your family.
Plus, if you plan your trip at the right time, take a peek at the area’s best craft markets and festivals – filled with handmade gifts and goods you won’t find anywhere else.
Visitors throughout Nights of Lights can also stop by the Lightner Musuem for Tom Schifanella’s Faces of the Alcazar through March 7, 2022, and Picturing a Nation through September 30, 2022.
Things to Do
If you’re hoping St. Augustine holiday events include live performances, you’re in luck! The EMMA Concert Association and the talented musicians of the Gainesville Orchestra come together for an evening of Holiday Pops featuring well-loved holiday songs.
Is history more your speed? On Saturday & Sunday, December 18 & 19, stop by the Mission Nombre de Dios for Las Posadas, a Historic Florida Militia Living History event showing how residents of America’s Oldest City could have celebrated the holiday season in 1586.
Or, on December 4th & 5th, take a break from the holiday lights to enjoy the St. Augustine Winter Spectacular, a family-friendly show by The Dance Company featuring different scenes that follow a young girl’s journey during the holidays with ballerinas, kick lines, tap dancers, acrobats, and more.
Things to Eat
When it’s time to eat, savor local flavors at one of St. Augustine’s many farm-to-table restaurants. Nearly every restaurant in town is open and ready to serve, and the best part is Florida’s mild winters are perfect for outdoor dining!
Masks may be required for indoor dining.
Other Ways to Explore
Tasting Tours Wine and Carriage Ride
Don’t feel like walking? Private wine and carriage rides offer a more intimate, crowd-free way to experience the beauty of St. Augustine Nights of Lights.
Or, for an experience perfect for the whole family, try a Trolley Tour! They’ve implemented new safety measures, like clear shields between rows and frequent sanitizing, that will help you breathe easy while you take in the holiday lights.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay after the fun is over, there’s no place better than one of St. Augustine’s Historic Inns.
Located throughout the city, these charming inns and B&Bs are within walking distance of everything you could want or need during your stay. Rest and relax in a historic home, complete with all the modern amenities you expect, from local innkeepers committed to your comfort and safety.
