Updated for 2026
Every November, Nights of Lights turns our historic streets into something out of a storybook. Millions of tiny white lights wrap around balconies, oak branches, and old buildings. The whole city lights up and hums with a soft glow. The light switch flips on Light-Up Night, but the magic is remembered for weeks after that.
This year's Light-Up Night kicks off Saturday, November 21, 2026. Live entertainment starts at 4pm, and the official lighting ceremony begins at 6:30pm.
The historic district bursts into millions of twinkling lights all at once. This event creates smiles and adds to holiday cheer. Trees scattered across the Plaza de la Constitución catch that same glow. A towering Christmas tree anchors the scene at the heart of town.
National Geographic named this free celebration one of the world's top ten light displays. That is a bold claim, until you actually stand under it.
The lights stay lit through January 18, 2027, which gives guests nearly two months to soak it all in. In fact, there is plenty of time to see the lights again, eat too much, and experience the wonder.
How to Experience the Glow
Walking St. George Street after dark is a fine start because this city settles for anything but fine. Nights of Lights invites a whole fleet of ways to see the sparkle, and most of them do not require comfortable shoes.
St. Augustine Sailing launches its holiday cruises as the season begins, with prices starting at $89 per person. Guests coast along the Historic Bayfront while the shoreline lights up in every direction. Four packages let travelers choose their own adventure:
Twinkle Package: a one-hour cruise with dessert, a holiday drink in a keepsake mug, and a photo souvenir
Sparkle Package: a two-hour sail featuring savory and sweet bites, festive drinks, and a keepsake photo
Glitter Package: three hours with a private chef's four-course dinner, signature cocktails, and a photo keepsake
Radiance Package: a premium charter with an elevated menu, champagne toasts, and personalized service throughout
Pedal, Sail, Ride, or Fly: Every Way to See Nights of Lights
Old Town Cycle Cruise Holly Jolly Yachty runs nightly through the season, BYOB included, just in case you need extra cheer to keep pedaling.
Florida Water Tours pours hot cocoa and hands out 3D glasses on its evening charters.
St. Augustine Boat Tours offers a one-hour cruise past the historic landmarks, which works well for a small group or a solo night out.
Old Town Trolleys hands out complimentary viewing glasses that turn lights into tiny snowflakes and stars, and carols play the whole ride.
Ripley's Red Trains offers its own take on lightseeing, pairing music with the same glasses trick.
Want something different? Riders on The Tasting Tours can trade the usual seats for a private horse-drawn carriage, or a vintage roadster if you'd rather arrive in style.
Guests seeking a wider view, on the other hand, can book with Leading Edge Helicopters. The company lifts riders above the rooftops for an aerial look at the glowing city. It is a splurge, but so is dessert; nobody regrets either one.
Down at street level, Nights of Pints keeps things a bit more casual. The event gathers local breweries for St. Augustine's own take on holiday cheer. 2026 dates are still TBD, so keep an eye out. A cold beer under warm lights is worth the wait.
The Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour Returns
Our association has hosted The Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour for more than two decades.
Guests get to peek inside some of the city's most beautifully decorated inns. Over time, it has become one of the Southeast Tourism Top 20 Events, and the tour remains a favorite piece of the whole Nights of Lights season.
This year's tour lands on Sunday, December 6, from 1–5pm. Eleven inns will show off their holiday best. Innkeepers lean into both tradition and whimsy in their decor, and each stop opens several rooms for guests to wander and admire.
Every inn, in addition, takes on one of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Bring your friends, and see who can spot all twelve first.
Hungry tour-goers should not skip the Foodie Feature. It runs from 11am to 3pm at a central location, with a spread that leans heavily on Florida flavors. Our Cultural Partners get their moment in the spotlight across Sunday and Monday.
Gather a group, wear comfortable shoes, and make a full afternoon of it. More details to come!
Make This Your Brightest Holiday Yet
Nights of Lights turns the nation's oldest city into something hard to describe; you really have to see it for yourself. Between the sailing cruises, the trolley carols, and the Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour, there is plenty to do. Ultimately, each stop adds its own layer to a celebration that gets better every year.
Our inns sit right in the middle of all that glow. They're close enough to walk to Light-Up Night and cozy enough to feel like part of the tradition. Book your stay early, since rooms fill up fast once word gets out about the lights.
Photo Credit: © VCB, © M_a_y_a via canva.com, © RichLegg via canva.com