Christmas in St Augustine Florida: Travel Guide

When it comes to Celebrate Christmas and festive vibes, you might not think about Florida! But you should definitely add Christmas in St Augustine Florida to your holiday bucket list! From millions of dazzling Christmas lights, festive drinks, sailing adventures and holiday shows, St. Augustine is the most festive place in Florida to visit for the Christmas.

If you don’t know, St. Augustine in Florida was even placed in the top 10 places in the world to see Christmas Lights by NatGeo, and was also featured in CN Traveler as well. There are so many many popular activities to do during the day as well as in evening in this charming and oldest city of the United States.

Before reading this guide, also read my travel guide for 20 best things to do in St Augustine,FL to know more about this beautiful city of Florida. Here are the best things to experience while visiting St. Augustine for Christmas!

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Places to Celebrate Christmas in St. Augustine

Attend the Nights of Lights Grand Illumination

From mid-November to early February, St. Augustine is covered in MILLIONS (yes, millions) of warm white Christmas lights. Downtown St. Augustine transforms into a winter wonderland that goes on for blocks, popularly known as “Nights of Lights”.

The Nights of Lights starts with the Grand Illumination, meaning the first day of the Nights of Lights, complete with live music, entertainers, and and the lighting of the Plaza de la Constitucion’s holiday tree! Stand in the Cathedral Plaza to experience the most of the fun! Learn more about how to celebrate Nights of Lights here.

St. Augustine Christmas Parade

Is there anything more festive than a Christmas Parade? And it’s most of families favorite things to do right? St. Augustine Christmas Parade is filled with floats, performers, horseback riders, dancers, and of course, SANTA!

One of the largest parades in Northeast Florida, St Augustine Christmas Parade starts in uptown, travels down the Bayfront, and then turns to go through the Plaza in historic downtown. It usually kicks off around 9 AM, but if you’re driving in, give yourself LOTS of time to find parking. It’s even better if you can walk or take an Uber from your hotel instead of driving.

This is a fantastic morning event for families and friends to celebrate the Christmas in St Augustine.

Cathedral Plaza

One of the most famous spots in town is the Cathedral Plaza, where the old Palm trees are all lit up with dazzling lights. Although officially called the Plaza de la Constitucion, but often called as the Cathedral Plaza. When you stroll through, you’ll see decorated gazebos and wreaths on the light poles.

Additionally, this is where you’ll find St. Augustine’s Grand Christmas tree! It might not be huge, but it’s one of the few places in town with colorful lights. It’s a fantastic spot to kick off the festive season!

St. Augustine Lighthouse Illumination

I first time heard about this traditional event! This is such a unique way to celebrate the holiday season in St. Augustine, so make sure to attend the first-ever Lighthouse Illuminations event!

With over 20 lighted Christmas trees in the Keeper’s house, beautiful lights along the paths through the grounds, hot chocolate and hot spiced cider, Santa, and carols by local singers, the Lighthouse Illumination is like the start of a Hallmark Christmas movie, it’s totally magical event!

You can even climb the the tower in a rare nighttime climb to view St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights display from a whole new perspective. Get your tickets here. For Christmas in St. Augustine, you can’t miss such festive event!

The Red Light

Keep your eyes on a special red bulb hidden somewhere in town! This is a fun little scavenger hunt loved by all ages! It can be anywhere in town, so be sure to look carefully if you want to find it!

Schooner Freedom Sails

The best way to see St. Augustine’s Christmas lights from the water is by hopping on the Schooner Freedom for a sail. With complimentary drinks, as well as mulled wine, hot chocolate, fuzzy blankets, Christmas candy, and twinkling lights all over the boat, you won’t find a better way to see Christmas lights from the water.

Make sure to make reservations in advance as they sell out fast, you can find more information here!

Christmas Lights on the Bayfront

My top spot for enjoying St. Augustine’s Christmas lights is along the Bayfront! Not only can you see them from the water, but every other Businesses there go all out with their decorations. Moreover, Tini Martini is a local favorite spot to enjoy the Christmas lights, and it’s definitely my favorite Christmas places in St. Augustine!

St. Augustine’s Regatta of Lights

For folks who love boats and the Floridian Christmas vibe, the Regatta of Lights is a must-see! It’s a boat parade where different boats from the area join in and compete in various categories.

Moreover, these boats are all lit up and decked out in themes as they cruise along the Bayfront near the Bridge of Lions. Also, keep your eye and you might even Spot Santa sailing by!

Surf Illumination

In St. Augustine, a special part of their white Christmas involves the sandy beach! At St. Augustine Beach, you’ll find bright colorful lights decorating the Pier and holiday-shaped lights along HWY A1A.

St. Augustine Beach’s illumination takes place at the Pier, with colorfully lit up Palm trees, a Christmas tree, and lots of festivities including a Holiday market, live music, and more! A white Christmas in St. Augustine isn’t complete with the sand from the beach!

Tini Martini: The Most Festive Bar for Christmas in St. Augustine

Arguably the most festive and famous for the amount of twinkling lights on the entirety of the Bayfront is Tini Martini Bar. It’s a local favorite and popular all year round, so make sure to add Tini Martini Bar to your Christmas in St. Augustine bucket list and your Florida Vacation as well.

During Nights of Lights, Tini Martini is lit up with more lights than you can imagine, and their cocktails are just as fantastic as the bright decorations! I’ll say I planned my St Augustine Christmas Lights trip just to have drinks here! It’s most festive things to do in St Augustine, Florida.

Order a Pomegranate martini for a nice fruity touch on a red festive drink! Just one order will give you roughly two and a half martini glasses, as they serve you entire Shaker! It’s locals and visitors favorite spot for its beautiful Bayfront views, great drinks, and dazzling Christmas lights in St Augustine!

Holly Jolly Shopping Spree

Experience a delightful way to support local businesses in St. Augustine while enjoying festive deals and treats during the Holly Jolly Trolley. Join in the morning fun by hopping on one of the Trolley Trains.

The Holly Jolly Trolly trains is a perfect morning to celebrate the Christmas season in Florida. Hop aboard one of the Trolley Trains after signing in and grab a free Christmas Cocktail and ride to uptown St Augustine.

Once there, you’ll be dropped off and get to shop, with each offering special discounts, yummy snacks, cocktails, hot chocolate, and brunch! The Proceeds go to a local charity organization in town, making it a heartwarming way to give back.

Whether you’re checking off your Christmas shopping list or simply soaking up the holiday vibes, the Holly Jolly Trolley is a must-try experience.

The Nutcracker

One of the things I love during the holidays is watching The Nutcracker! If you didn’t already know, the Nutcracker is a ballet that takes place during Christmas party where Clara falls into an enchanted sleep after receiving a Nutcracker from her magician uncle.

Not only is it a Christmas classic, but the music is amazing, and in St. Augustine, you can see different performances by local ballet schools. Check out the The St. Augustine Dance Conservatory’s show for the best shows.

🏨 Where To Stay for Christmas in St Augustine, FL

• Luxury: St George Inn | Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Hotel | Marker 8 Hotel and Marina
• Mid Range: Bayfront Inn | Historic Waterfront Marion Motor Lodge Downtown
• Budget: Hilton Garden Inn Historic District | Southern Oaks Inn | Historic Sevilla House
• Bed & Breakfast: Victorian House | Cedar House Inn | St. Francis Inn – Saint Augustine

Unique Ways to See Christmas lights in St Augustine

• Old Town Trolley Tours: While St Augustine is very walkable city, Nights of lights trolley tour is great for families that don’t want to walk around town and want to listen to Christmas carols around St. Augustine! 
• St. Augustine Sailing Tours : Provides a unique perspective of the lights from the water, with options for private and shared cruises.
• Private Gold Cart Tour: A romantic way to enjoy the lights, these rides offer a classic and charming experience.

Travel Tips to Celebrate Christmas in St Augustine

• Consider visiting midweek to avoid crowds and enjoy reduced rates at lodging establishments
• I’d recommend avoiding driving into town for most of the Nights of Lights season. Park your Car at adjacent to St Augustine Visitor Center and walk around. You can also opt for the complementary shuttles, or Uber whenever needed.
• St Augustine is super Walkable city, and walking is a great way to experience the lights.
• Some of the most elaborate light displays are at the Plaza but also don’t miss Flagler College and the Lightner Museum lights.
• Nights of Lights at St Augustine is completely free of charge to visit! The Best thing I love about the Christmas in St Augustine, you don’t have to pay $$ to see the Christmas lights.
• Most of the Popular hotels and bed & breakfasts fill up quickly during the holiday season, so book your stay early. 
•  It’s recommended to book any tours or entry tickets in advance, especially during peak holiday season. 

So, Did I convince you to celebrate Christmas in St Augustine, Florida?? With so many dazzling lights, festive events and lots of fun festive things to do in this charming town of Florida, St Augustine is perfect to celebrate the holidays during Christmas. Hope this Post helps you to plan your Perfect Christmas Trip to Florida.

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