The feeling of Festive St. Augustine for your Nights of Lights program

The oldest city in the United States attracts worldwide attention, but not for its rich history, beautiful beaches, chic accommodations or award-winning cuisine. Instead, tens of thousands of tourists annually visit the historic coastal town of St. Augustine, Florida to experience holiday magic.

From November to January the historic downtown district transforms into an enchanting winter festival called the Nights of Lights, a city-wide event featuring millions of lights twinkling so spectacularly that Clark Griswold would stand in awe. From sidewalks to rooftops, holiday displays adorn historic buildings, public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and small businesses. And most importantly, these beautiful light displays are all free for the public to enjoy.

Now in its 31st year, the festival showcases an eclectic mix of displays, each hoping to be the biggest and brightest display in town. Residents and visitors alike were dressed for the season which added to the beauty of the festival. Golf carts playing Christmas carols, driven by the Grinch himself down Aviles Street. Horse-drawn carriages pass by and couples huddle together on a cold Florida night drinking cups of mulled wine. Almost every inch of the city, every business, every hotel, shows its personality with themed trees and custom decorations inside and out.

From walking tours to scenic sails, there are many ways for visitors to enjoy the Nights of Lights festivities. Consider adding this travel experience to your next itinerary.

A golf cart trip with St. Augustine Land and Sea Tours

St. Augustine Land and Sea Tours offers one of the best ways to experience the festival that covers more than 20 blocks of the city’s historic district. Guests are welcomed by their personal chauffeur, dressed for the occasion, for a ride in an electric golf cart with an open cabin. Small groups are treated to family-friendly holiday music and leisurely sight-seeing opportunities as they take a leisurely stroll around town. These golf carts are an easy and comfortable way to travel through busy streets and crowded event spaces. This particular tour is recommended for families with small children and those with mobility issues. Each electric golf cart can accommodate up to 9 guests on this 45 minute tour.

Private carriage ride from The Tasting Tours

Ready to play your Hallmark Christmas movie? Private horse-drawn carriage rides from The Tasting Tours are perfect for couples looking for a bit of that movie-worthy romance. But not just for couples, this vintage carriage tour is also perfect for groups of adults ages 4 and under who want a personalized, intimate experience in the comfort of a historic downtown district. Passengers are treated to friendly staff, festive carriage decorations and are offered glasses of wine as they embark on a fascinating guided tour of the city lights. This 35-45 minute tour is booked by appointment and is subject to availability.

Not to be overlooked, guided tours from St. Augustine Experiences may be the experience you are looking for. A walking tour can elevate you from being a casual tourist to an insider, exploring nooks, crannies and unique places that travelers miss. Visitors are greeted by a friendly tour guide ready to meet their pace and interests as they explore the extensive winter festival on foot. The tour guide easily combines the city’s deep history and legend with current events and remarkable light displays. Not wanting guests to miss out on the fun, the tour guide shares more on walking tours such as the 7:00 pm “ice” and self-serve drafts at Auggie’s Draft Room in addition to providing a curated list of stops to add. the Night of Lights tour. An excellent sightseeing experience for travelers who want to see the lights, but also capture the magic of the city’s incredible history. These 90-minute tours are offered 7 days a week, rain or shine.

Sunset cruises with Schooner Freedom Charters

As you sail daily from St. Augustine Municipal Marina, family owned and operated Schooner Freedom Charters offers the perfect sunset sail to view the lights from the harbor. The 76 meter ship welcomes its passengers with open arms. Before sailing they give a helpful safety lesson, which is quickly followed by a champagne (or soda) toast. The atmosphere of the deck is relaxing and amazing, happy couples, groups and families with small children. Families were welcome to help raise the sails, and children were given the opportunity to “steer” the boat. The staff offer unlimited bar drinks and share more about the sites and wildlife. As the sun goes down the Schooner lights up its holiday display while the crew passes out Christmas candy and plays festive music. The ship moves to various locations along the coast so guests can have the best seat in the house to view the lights. Visits of approximately 2 hours start at 4:15 pm November 23rd through January 12th.

Some must-see holiday events and activities

After travelers view the spectacular lights, they should also plan to attend one of the many holiday events that take place during the winter festival. Other events to enjoy include the Night of Lights in St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, the Christmas Experience at Villa Zorayda, and the annual holiday boat shows in Palm Valley and Matanzas Bay to name a few. Many local hotels, inns and restaurants will offer special dinners, tours and menus selected for the season. Travelers looking to plan a visit to the Nights of Lights should check out St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau website for additional resources.

Without a doubt the St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is one of the best free public winter light festivals in the United States. With something for everyone, this event is sure to please groups, couples, families and the “Grinchiest” of travelers.

Anna Marie Imbordino

Anna Marie Imbordino is a travel writer from Charleston, SC, USA. His love of history and art makes him travel, looking to hear not only the places, but also the people who make up the stories.