St. Augustine Shines Bright During The 29th Annual Nights of Lights 2022

The historic city of St Augustine truly shines bright during the holidays as millions of twinkling lights create a holiday wonderland that has to been seen to be believed.

The award-winning 29th Annual Nights of Lights will light up every corner of the historic district from November 19, 2022, to January 31, 2023, with more than 3 million lights.

Visitors are treated to a wonderland of lights adorning the ancient city, beginning at the Plaza de la Constitución, with its stunning holiday tree in the center and oaks strung with lights, and stretching out to illuminate all of St. Augustine's historic district.

From roof shingle to doorway entrance, the downtown buildings take on a glow of holiday cheer, with millions of twinkling white lights covering the historic sites, bed and breakfasts, museums, restaurants and shops of the nation's oldest city.

The festival traces its origin to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, and this year the tradition continues, with some three million white lights twinkling on the wonderful old buildings and landmarks along the bayfront and throughout the city's brick-lined streets.

Nights of Lights is famous around the world as one of the finest places to see holiday lights, National Geographic proclaimed Nights of Lights as one of the best light displays in the world, and for us personally its a must do during the holidays, and is more than worth the road trip from Orlando!

During the seasonal display, businesses downtown stay open later, allowing you to dine in under the lights and browse the shops of the beautifully decorated buildings.

There's also lots of ways to see the dazzling light display including the road trains and trolleys that offer special seasonal tours through the breathtaking light display.

Best Ways To Experience Night Of Lights

By Foot

See the city the way its early residents would have, by simply taking a nice evening stroll.

St. Augustine is a walkable city, with crossings and pedestrian-only areas offering safe routes for visitors on foot. The Plaza de la Constitución in the center of St. Augustine's historic district is the perfect starting point for exploring the lit-up wonderland of the nation's oldest city during Nights of Lights.

Not only is it a great central point in the city, offering access to pedestrian-only areas like St. George Street, but the lights on the Plaza are some of the prettiest, climbing around the branches of live oak trees and illuminating the city's Christmas tree display in the heart of the square.

By Trolley or Train Tour

Riding the trolleys and trains is a visitor must, but it's also the best way for a family to see it all in comfort and safety. Kids love seeing the lights turn into Santas or snowflakes with their magical viewing glasses and the whole family can embrace the holiday spirit, singing carols and waving at the people on the street.

The trolley and train tours offer a comprehensive cruising tour around town, past the beautiful old buildings lit up with white lights — Flagler College, the Lightner Museum, the Bayfront businesses, and the Plaza de la Constitución.

Options to check out are Old Town Trolleys Famous Nights of Lights Tour and Ripley's Red Trains Nights of Lights Tour.

By Water

If the twinkle in the trees puts you in a state of wonder and awe, imagine the twinkle of the city's lights reflecting on the water.

St. Augustine is fortunate to be a coastal town with the Matanzas River just steps from the light display in the Plaza de la Constitución. It's one thing to look down Castillo Drive from the seawall at the lights, but the view from the water is truly spectacular.

Check out Florida Water Tours and St. Augustine Sailing Nights of Lights Charters.

By Air

These tours aren't for the faint of heart, but certainly with those with a heart for adventure.

If you're a thrill-seeker who wants to see the twinkling lights below from the twinkling lights above, check out this Nights of Lights Tours from the sky by First City Helicopters.

The City of St. Augustine offers a Free Park and Ride Shuttle Service for Nights of Lights from November 19, to December 30, 2022.