Christmas in St. Augustine: The Ultimate Guide to Lights, Markets & Holiday Fun
Updated November 2025
Christmas in St. Augustine is full of charm and holiday magic! While our Florida weather may not always lend itself to cozy Christmas vibes, St. Augustine is a great destination for the holidays! I don’t live far from St. Augustine, so I’ve had my fair share of day trips to America’s oldest city.
If you’re considering visiting for a day or several, I’ll share tips and ways to make the most of Christmas in St. Augustine!
Best Things to Do at Christmas in St. Augustine
Let’s review what to do at Christmas in St. Augustine! Whether you want to see the lights, enjoy a parade or two, or simply wander this historic town decked out in Christmas spirit, St. Augustine offers plenty of holiday magic!
Nights of Lights
The Christmas event that continually draws big crowds throughout the holiday season is the Nights of Lights! When you think of Christmas in St. Augustine, this is definitely the first thing that comes to most minds!
When to Go
This historic city is adorned with millions of lights and offers that extra charm when visiting! The event usually begins in the middle of November and continues through the middle of January. If you can, avoid the weekends as it can be super busy. This is true even in January! My most recent visit to the Nights of Lights was a weekend day in January and it was packed!
Dates: Mid November to Mid January (check here for exact dates)
When to Go: Visit during the week for less crowds! Of course, the closer to Christmas, the busier it will get.
Cost: Free! However, if you do want to book a tour, that will require a fee.
How to See the Lights
I usually opt to walk around and enjoy the lights, but there are way more options. My friend books a boat tour and her two girls love that experience! You can see the lights from the river without having to deal with the crowds. There are golf cart tours and for a more romantic experience, you could book a horse drawn carriage ride.
If you book one of the below tours, be sure to secure your spot early! Tours are likely to sell out, especially on weekends!
By Boat
Adventure Boat Tours – Nights of Lights by Water in St. Augustine FL
Nights of Lights Boat Cruise
Red Boat Tours – World Famous St Augustine Nights of Lights
By e-Cart or Car
St. Augustine Night of Lights by Electric Cart
Private Golf Cart Tours, LLC in St. Augustine
Ancient City Tours Presents A Sparkling Nights of Lights Journey
Nights of Lights – Private Christmas Car Photo Tour 4-6 people
On Foot
Even if you decide to book a lights tour, you still may want to wander St. Augustine to really soak in the Christmas decor. Below are the top spots, which I’ve linked to google maps so you can easily bookmark them for easy reference.
Wandering around St. Augustine can be so beautiful and fun! And if you go during the week, when it’s less crowded, it can be a peaceful experience as well!
| Location | Why It’s a Great Photo Spot |
|---|---|
| Plaza de la Constitución | Central gathering point with the main Christmas tree and tons of lights in every direction — classic holiday backdrop. |
| Bridge of Lions | Best skyline view of downtown glowing with lights reflected on the water — dramatic wide shots. |
| St. George Street | Iconic pedestrian street lined with shops and overhead lights — cozy and atmospheric street-style shots. |
| Lightner Museum Courtyard | Grand architecture, arches, and palm trees wrapped in lights — elegant, historic holiday vibes. |
| Aviles Street | Quaint, narrow old-world street with festive storefronts — perfect for charming, intimate backgrounds. |
| Castillo de San Marcos Waterfront | Combine historic fort walls with twinkling city lights behind — great sunset-to-night transition. |
| Bayfront & Marina Area | Sailboats with lights + waterfront glow — especially good for couples and nighttime reflections. Head north to admire the lights along A1A. |
| Cathedral Basilica Area | Warm white lights + historic church façade — classic Christmas look. |
| Vilano Beach Pier (looking back at city) | Unique distance shot of the lights across the water — a fresh angle most visitors miss. |
Holiday Shopping & Festive Markets
If the lights aren’t enough, St. Augustine offers holiday markets as well! Here are some Christmas markets to check out when in St. Augustine at Christmastime. You can buy Christmas gifts, “window shop,” or buy unique and non-cheesy souvenirs.
The Christmas Market at Colonial Quarter
Head to George Street for the Christmas Market at Colonial Quarter. From 11AM to 4PM it’s free to shop and peruse what the vendors are offering and after 4PM there are more activities for the kids so there is a small fee to participate!
If you plan to visit on the weekends, it would be advisable to utilize the free shuttle offered for Nights of Lights! The parking is free and you won’t have to drive around hoping to find a parking spot!
Time: 11AM to 4PM (free), 4PM to 9PM (fee)
Dates: Mid November to Christmas Eve
Where: Colonial Quarter, 33 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Pop-Up Holiday Markets
The beauty of the Christmas Market at Colonial Quarter is that you can visit anytime between mid November and Christmas Eve! However, there are plenty of holiday pop-up markets if you happen to be in St. Augustine for those dates.
St. Augustine Beach Holiday Market (at the Pier)
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 3PM to 7PM
Where: 350 A1A Beach Blvd. St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
Artisan Christmas Market at Coconut Barrel
When: Saturday, December 06, 10AM to 3PM
Where: Coconut Barrel “The Artisan Market”
Jingle Bell Croc Holiday Night Market
Date: December 12, 2025, 6PM to 9PM
Where: St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Cost: $10.00 at the door, cashless entry
Christmas Events & Festivals
St. Augustine also has charming Christmas parades! I live in a small town and love the Christmas parade and we also have boat parades around here as well. St. Augustine is no exception, offering both a street parade and a boat parade!
This historic city still holds its small town charm, and the Christmas parade is a great way to experience it! If you can’t make the Christmas parade, consider the boat parade the following week!
In addition to the parades, there are also Christmas concerts or events throughout the city. These may change from year to year, but it’s worth seeing what will be on offer while you’re in St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9AM to 10:30AM
Start: Mission Nombre de Dios off San Marco Avenue and continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine.
Holiday Regatta of Lights (Boat Parade)
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6PM to 7:30PM
Start: Between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos in Matanzas Bay.
Castillo de San Marcos
Even though the fort itself isn’t fully decorated, the Castillo de San Marcos provides a stunning backdrop for holiday photos. From the waterfront, you can capture the historic walls during golden hour while the holiday lights of downtown St. Augustine reflect on Matanzas Bay. It’s a quieter alternative to the busy streets and perfect for wide-angle, scenic shots.
Combine this stop with your King Street / Bayfront walk — the fort is just a short stroll from the Bridge of Lions, making it an easy addition to your holiday stroll or photo route.
Additionally, if you decide to catch the boat parade, the fort offers a free open house! You can also watch the parade from the gun deck. You get the fort and a boat parade in one! Click here for more information.
Holiday Dining & Festive Drinks
St. Augustine has so many great restaurants and during Christmas many get into the spirit of the holiday! Some restaurants and bars to consider during Christmas include Columbia Restaurant, Raintree Restaurant, Ice Plant Bar, The Chatsworth Pub and Tea Room, and Forgotten Tonic.
I’ve been to the Columbia Restaurant both in St. Augustine and Celebration (one of the best areas to stay near Disney). It’s always been solid and a great option to consider as it’s in a prime location in the historic district of St. Augustine.
My current favorite restaurant and the one I’ve been to the last two times I’ve visited St. Augustine is the Ice Plant Bar! It’s just outside the main historic area, but you can still walk to it if you want. There is also a bourbon tasting next door, which can be a fun activity if there’s a wait. They decorate for all the holidays and were adorned in Halloween decor when I was just there last week. They offer festive drinks and the menu is tailored to what is fresh, keeping the menu interesting. I took a couple friends there for the first time and they both loved it!
As someone who loves an afternoon tea, I’ll definitely be adding The Chatsworth Pub and Tea Room to my list! The last time I enjoyed tea time was in Montreal and I loved it. Of course, I’ve enjoyed afternoon tea in London and I have such fond memories of my Gran in Barbados enjoying her tea and biscuits! I’m excited to try their afternoon tea and once I do, I’ll be sure to report back!
Best Things To Do For Families
Christmas in St. Augustine is very family friendly! If you don’t want to deal with crowds and see the lights on foot, you can book a tour or even a carriage ride! I have fond memories of riding the horse drawn carriage as a kid with my cousin and aunt!
You can visit the Christmas Market at Colonial Quarter for their kids activities. After 4PM there is a small fee for adults, but that is because they offer fun activities and Santa for the kids! It’s a perfect addition to Nights of Lights!
Another idea is to visit Ancient City Farmstead for their Christmas Experience. They have games, Santa, and you can purchase an upgrade ticket to ice skate! This is not a free event and the tickets can add up for a family. However, it can be a really fun family outing on a weekend afternoon!
If you are looking for something on November 22, consider Surf Illumination 2025. Free photos with Santa, kids face painting, arts & crafts vendors, and more!
Romantic Christmas Things to Do
Whether you are looking for romantic options with your partner or simply looking to romanticize your life, Christmas in St. Augustine can certainly deliver! The carriage rides, especially around the Nights of Lights is a great option!
Of course, enjoying the sunrise on the ocean or the sunset on the river is always a beautiful memory! To catch the sunrise on the beach, head to parking lots like 510 A1A Beach Blvd Parking if you’re staying in St. Augustine historic district, you can head to the fort or find a spot along the Matanzas Bay to watch the sunrise. You won’t get the horizon like you would at the beach, but it will still be beautiful.
For sunset views or golden hour in the historic district consider River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge. Rooftop availability can be limited, so be sure to book ahead. If you’re willing to leave the historic district Beaches at Vilano is considered one of the best spots for sunset! Not far from the historic part of St. Augustine is the popular restaurant St. Augustine Fish Camp. They are on the water as well and many reviewers mention a beautiful sunset.
Of course, you can always keep it simple and stroll the charming, historic streets of St. Augustine or walk along the river enjoying both the lights and serene water.
Where to Stay for Christmas in St. Augustine
If you’re wondering where to stay in St. Augustine for Christmas, you will not lack for options! Here are few good ones to consider in or near the historic district.
Additionally, I have an entire post dedicated to helping you choose the right area for your trip! Checkout my post for more detailed information: Where to Stay in St. Augustine for Christmas: Best Areas & Festive Hotels.
Bayfront Marin House has waterside charm in the heart of the historic district. It has direct views of the bay and is steps from holiday lights.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection is a historic luxury inn with rich architecture. This building is beautiful and one you will walk by and notice while in St. Augustine. It’s perfect for a festive stay during the holiday lights in the old city.
Hotel Amalga, St. Augustine, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is not quite in the heart of the historic district, but it’s only half a mile so still close enough to walk. It has modern rooms, and two rooftop patios offering sunset views over the marina and downtown.
Tips for Visiting During Christmas
When visiting St. Augustine at Christmas, try to avoid the weekends. It gets very busy, even in January! I visited earlier this year on a Saturday in January and it was packed! If you can’t avoid the weekends, consider heading there early enough so parking isn’t as big of an issue.
When I visited last week, we had to pay for parking in this historic district. However, the time before that my friend and I ate at Ice Plant Bar and we just walked to the historic district while we were waiting for a table. It worked out well since it was super crowded with people enjoying Nights of Lights.
Be sure to check the weather! In the summer I always check the weather to see when the storms will be rolling in and in the winter I always check because you never know what the temperature will be! It could be a high of 80 or a high of 40! You never know! And like anywhere, the temperature really dips at night, so be sure to check for the current weather.
Lastly, you’ll want to take photos, so be sure your phone or camera is fully charged. You can also take an extra battery pack in case! Additionally, consider taking a tripod if you want good photos of the lights as keeping your phone or camera still is important.
I’ve never used the app, but I’ll test it out this year and report back. It has 85 positive reviews, so it’s definitely worth trying it out!
- Avoid weekends if possible to enjoy less crowds.
- Utilize the free shuttle provided to avoid having to experience parking issues.
- Check the weather as the temperature can really drop a lot at night during the winter.
- Take an extra charger in case, or be sure to fully charge your phones and cameras.
- Download the Nights of Lights Mobile App
Sample 1-Day Holiday Itinerary
If you’re considering spending all day in St. Augustine during Christmas, here’s a sample itinerary you can make your own! This is more tailored to someone who has never been to St. Augustine and wants to hit the major sites in one day.
Breakfast
We’ll leave the historic district for the afternoon and evening. Let’s start with breakfast at Ragga Surf Cafe or Sunday. If you want a simpler breakfast at an indoor coffee shop, visit any of The Kookaburra locations! It’s classic and a local St. Augustine coffee shop I’ve visited for years! It’s Aussie style and they offer meat pies if you go early enough.
Fountain of Youth
I recommend visiting the Fountain of Youth. It offers a lot of history and I found it super interesting when I went as an adult! Give yourself at least two hours, but some spend three or four hours! Depending on the type of traveler you are, be sure to adjust your schedule.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
If you have time before lunch or would rather do this instead of Fountain of Youth, head to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. I climbed it a long time ago and it’s quite narrow! It’s a lot of stairs of course, but it offers beautiful views once you do reach the top!
They also have a museum, which is great for learning some of the history. Or if you prefer, catch a walking tour to learn more!
Lunch
For a casual beach side meal, head to Beachcomber St. Augustine. A good casual taco spot that I’ve enjoyed is Osprey Tacos. If you’re ready to head to the historic district, consider Columbia Restaurant! I’ve been in St. Augustine and Celebration and they usually deliver a good experience!
Another great option is to do a food tour! This can be great for lunch or dinner as it’s usually in the historic district. Corks & Forks Tour (St. Augustine) is highly rated and a good one to consider. Just be sure to book it in advance!
Of course, there are an infinite number of options, so if you’re in the mood for something specific you can probably find it!
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Let’s start the historic district with the most iconic part, the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. This fort is a standard for a St. Augustine day, but it doesn’t have to take long. People usually spend one to two hours here.
Even though I’ve done the fort, I often find myself near it with ice cream or coffee in hand to enjoy the views of the river. It’s a beautiful area! Speaking of ice cream, Castillo Ice Cream and coffee has great reviews and looks delicious.
Wander the Historic District
There are so many cool shops in St. Augustine now! It’s definitely gotten better and better over the years! Whether you want a cheesy souvenir, quality olive oil, honey products, or cute clothes, you can find something in St. Augustine.
If you want to add more museums or history consider the oldest schoolhouse as a stop. It’s a tiny wooden building along Saint George Street and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse isn’t expensive if you wanted to peak inside.
My friend told me she took her boys, when they were younger, to the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and they enjoyed it. I haven’t been, but for $20 it’s a good option to consider.
Be sure to head into all the food shops! The Savannah Bee Company has Mead you can try (for a fee). The Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tour if offered for a small price. And you can try bourbon for free at the Saint Augustine Distillery.
Of course, for a break from walking head to a coffee shop or bar to relax for a while.
Nights of Lights
By now the sun should be setting and you can start enjoying the Nights of Lights. Refer to the main sights earlier in this post or book a tour to enjoy the lights from cart or boat.
Dinner
There’s a seemingly infinite number of options, but I’m loving the Ice Plant Bar! It’s not in the heart of the historic district, but I’ve walked to from there and it’s close enough to walk! Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille has good reviews if you like seafood.
Of course, you have plenty of options in the historic district. I do recommend making a reservation, especially if you are visiting on a weekend day.
Christmas in St. Augustine
If you’re looking for holiday charm, Christmas in St. Augustine, Florida definitely delivers! We may not get snow, but that doesn’t mean America’s oldest city doesn’t offer those magical Christmas moments in other ways!
I have fond memories of looking for Christmas lights as a kid and finding neighborhoods that really go all out! St. Augustine offers the beauty of Christmas lights in the historic, small town setting. There are stellar restaurants to choose from and plenty of great shops to enjoy.
So if you’re looking for Florida Christmas magic and don’t want to spend Disney bucks, then St. Augustine is a perfect place to visit!
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