Night of Lights - St. Augustine, Florida
No snow? No Problem. Taking a trip 'winter' trip to St. Augustine will really get you in the holiday spirit. St. Augustine's annual "Night of Lights" festival is almost two months long, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the winter wonderland experience. This year the dates are November 23, 2024 to January 26, 2025. Every year the city of St. Augustine lights up with over 3 million lights and becomes a magical holiday town. The businesses go all out with decorations and lights, it's an experience you don't want to miss. The local trolleys and trains provide seasonal tours, and if you're lucky enough, a cold front will be coming through and it'll really feel like the holiday season! Many of the restaurants and businesses have special offers, holiday treats and seasonal food to make the experience even more special.
A little bit about the area, St. Augustine is a historic city with a diverse past. It is home to the famous Flagler College. The city was founded in 1565 and has a plethora of historic significance. It was founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. It is home to the Narrowest Street in the United States as well has the world's Oldest Ripley's Believe It or Not, the oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and oldest Wax Museum in the US. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is said to be haunted, and you can take a tour and see for yourself! St. Augustine is home to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - the oldest masonry fort in the US.
St. Augustine’s Night of Lights has been ranked among the top 10 Holiday Displays by National Geographic and has become a popular destination for the holiday season.
How to See the Lights
1. Walking
St. George Street is the main strip, filled with shops and restaurants. Take a stroll down the lane as it lights up with holiday decorations and lights. Stop into the shops and pick up a seasonal treat or ornament. Plaza de la Constitucion is a great place to start as the whole area is decorated and the town Christmas tree is the main attraction. You can walk through the park and see the different lights. You can also take a stroll up the Bridge of Lions and take a look back and see all of downtown lit up
Don’t forget to take a walk down Avenida Menendez. One of the main roads in town, it will give you a view of both the water and the local businesses all decorated for the season - including Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions. Walking around town is one of the best ways to see all there is to off and take in all of the lights.
You can also take a Night of Lights tour at the St. Augustine Lighthouse - this will give you the highest view of the city lights.
2. Trolley Tours
You can take a trolley tour to see more in a shorter time frame. These tours are frequent and take you around town to show you the best of the best decorations. Grab a hot chocolate and jump on for a spectacular light show. Old Town Trolley’s has a Night of Lights tour that runs the duration of the festival and you can reserve your spot online to guarantee your ride. The regular trolleys also run throughout the day for easy transportation around town. Ripley’s Red Train Tours also does a tour via train through town.
3. On the Water
There are a few options for water tours, including Florida Water Tours and private charters. They have nightly tours throughout the duration of NoL. Centrally located, the boats take off from Comachee Cove for ease of access. Other tour companies include St. Augustine Eco Tours, Schooner Freedom Charters, St. Augustine Boat Tours, and Red Boat Tours
You can find numerous charters and tours through GetYourGuide and Viator. You can see which best fits your style and budget.
4. Other Tours
The Tasting Tours company offers a wide variety of tours during the holiday season - focusing on food and drink tours.
St. Augustine Land and Sea Tours offer a NoL golf cart tour, a fun and easy way to get around town and see the lights.
Country Carriage offers horse drawn carriage rides through town, an extra special way to experience the festivities.
First City Helicopters offers a helicopter tour over the city for the most unique and amazing view.
Where to Drink
Tini Martini - 24 Avenida Mendez
This is by far the most festive bar in town, located in the Casa Blanca Inn. I am not a huge martini fan, but they will have one that fits your style. Even if you don’t love martini’s, it’s worth it to stop in and experience it. The entire place is lit up with lights and decorations, inside and out. Take a half hour before or after dinner, have a seat outside, enjoy a festive martini and take in the views. They have a holiday menu as well as their classic martinis. There may be a line out front, but it moved relatively quickly - there were about 20 people in front of us and we waited about 20 minutes. They do not serve food after 3pm and do not allowed in the evening - so plan accordingly.
Tipsy Duck - 58 Hypolita St
This is one of the coolest places I’ve been in St. Augustine. They have a variety of drinks, but you can also craft your own flavor. They serve a wine-based liquor, so it is not a strong drink. They have shelves of flavors that you can mix and match to create the perfect concoction. They also have a specialty list of favorites. Each drink is made to order, and the bartenders make it a show with smoke bubbles and fun garnish. All drinks are served with your very own tiny rubber duck - yours to keep! The whole place is duck themed and you’re sure to enjoy it. I recommend going earlier in the day or later at night to avoid the long lines. I happened to go on a rainy day, and it was empty, whereas the sunny day before there was a line out the door.
No Name Bar and Grille - 16 S. Castillo Dr.
No Name is a fan favorite for its low-key vibe, live music and patio views. They have a full bar and pub food. It is a great spot during Night of Lights especially on the patio - you can see the lights and decorations from the local businesses and on water. Stop in for a drink, listen to the music and watch the trolleys go by while getting into the holiday spirit.
Tradewinds Tropical Lounge - 124 Charlotte St.
Tradewinds is known for their live music, and even though it is a tropical themed bar, they dress it up nicely for the holidays. What is better than Palm trees and Christmas Lights? It is a small unique space, but they have a lot to offer, and their music goes well into the night.
San Sebastian Winery - 157 King St
A quick walk from downtown is the Winery. They offer free tastings and tours through the winery. They have a rooftop bar and restaurant and often have live music. You’ll have a nice view from the rooftop, but it got a little chilly so bring a jacket. They offer small bites and charcuterie boards, as well as a vast selection of time.
The Ice Plant - 110 Riberia St.
Located above the St. Augustine Distillery, the Ice Plant is a specialty cocktail bar set in a 1927 Industrial Building. Even if you’re not much of a mixed drink type of person, you have to stop by just to see inside. It has a very rustic and industrial feel, and the bar tenders are sure to craft up a drink you will like. It’s a very neat experience and you won’t want to miss it.
Where to Eat
Meehans Irish Pub and Seafood House - 20 Avenida Menendez
This is one of my favorite places in the whole town. Meehan’s gives you that warm local feeling and serves some of the best food around. They have numerous seating areas and bars, inside and outside. I recommend trying to get a table out on the back patio. The patio first-come-first-serve, so take a few minutes to scout it out and you should be able to find a spot. I was able to get a fire pit table, and we had a delicious meal. They have a great ambiance for the holidays - lights, decorations and fire pits. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. They also have inside and outside bars.
Harrys Seafood Bar and Grille - 46 Avenida Menendez St.
Harrys is a staple of St. Augustine. A little more pricey but well worth it. They have some of the best seafood in town with a New Orleans flare. They also have indoor and outdoor seating, I enjoyed eating outside on the back patio. Decorated for the holidays and excellent service, this is the perfect date night spot.
Prohibition Kitchen - 119 St George St
A popular spot and a cool experience. You should expect a wait. They usually have live music and a busy bar. The area building is spacious inside and they bar is long so it might be easier to grab a seat at the bar. I enjoyed the atmosphere while grabbing a drink. It is on St. George St so there is a lot to do around while waiting for your table.
The St. Augustine Night of Lights Festival is something worth seeing. With the long duration, there is plenty of time to plan your trip. Whether it’s a weekend or a week, you will have a great experience. Booking tours in advance will help when you arrive, to avoid long waits and lines. During the holiday season some restaurants will continue to take reservations, whereas others will not. Look ahead of time if you have a place that you really want to go. And remember to relax and enjoy, take in the scenery and live in the moment.
