Introduction
When it comes to holiday getaways, St. Augustine in Florida might not be your first thought. But trust me, it’s a must for your Christmas plans! This town goes all out with millions of twinkling lights, tree ceremonies, boat rides, and dazzling shows, making it the ultimate spot in Florida for Christmas.
Moreover, NatGeo even ranked it in the top 10 places worldwide for Christmas lights, and CNTraveler recently featured it, too (yay for my hometown!). With so much to do, here are the top things you can’t miss during a St. Augustine Christmas!
Nights of Lights Grand Illumination
From around mid-November until early February, St. Augustine gets decked out in MILLIONS (yes, millions!) of cozy, twinkling Christmas lights. The whole downtown area becomes this magical winter scene that goes on for blocks. Furthermore, the Nights of Lights start with the Grand Illumination, a big celebration with live music, entertainers, and tons of fun! For the best experience, head to Cathedral Plaza to enjoy it all!
St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade
Families love the St. Augustine Christmas Parade! It’s packed with floats, performers, horseback riders, dancers, and guess who? Santa, of course! It’s also a fantastic morning event for families and friends who want to join in with the local community.
Additionally, the parade goes along the Bayfront and through the Plaza. 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.
Surf Illumination
In St. Augustine, a special part of their white Christmas involves the sandy beach! At St. Augustine Beach, you’ll find bright lights decorating the Pier and holiday-shaped lights along A1A.
In addition, the Pier is where the beach’s lights shine, with colorful palm trees, a Christmas tree, and tons of fun activities like a Holiday market, live music, and more!
Schooner Freedom Sails
One of the coolest ways to see St. Augustine’s Christmas lights is by hopping on the Schooner Freedom for a sail. They offer free drinks, warm mulled wine, hot chocolate, cozy blankets, Christmas treats, and lights twinkling all over the boat. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the lights from the water. Make sure to book ahead because these sails fill up fast! You can find more info here!
Christmas Lights on the Bayfront
My top spot for enjoying St. Augustine’s Christmas lights is along the Bayfront! You can see them from the water, and the businesses there go all out with their decorations. Moreover, Tini Martini is a local favorite spot to soak in the festive lights, and it’s one of my personal top Christmas places in St. Augustine!
Lighthouse Illumination
I always loved going to the Lighthouse Illumination when I was a kid. It’s magical, with lots of Christmas trees all lit up, pretty lights along the paths, tasty hot chocolate and cider, Santa visiting, and singers performing holiday songs. It also feels like the beginning of a wonderful Christmas movie, minus the cheesy plot. Furthermore, this event is a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas in St. Augustine!
The Red Light
Look out for a special red bulb hidden around town! It’s like a fun treasure hunt that everyone enjoys, and I just found it for the first time this year! The bulb could be hiding anywhere, so keep a close eye out if you want to spot it!
Tini Martini: The most lights to see at a bar for Christmas in St. Augustine
Tini Martini Bar leads the way with lots of twinkling lights along the Bayfront. It’s a local hotspot that’s popular all year round, so make sure to add it to your must-visit spots during your Christmas trip to St. Augustine and even when you’re vacationing in Florida!
During Nights of Lights, this bar glows with more lights than you can imagine, and their cocktails are just as fantastic as the bright decorations! Therefore, try their pomegranate martini for a delicious and festive red drink. One order is so generous that it fills about two and a half martini glasses, as they serve you the entire shaker! Locals and visitors both love this 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 event. Join in the morning fun by hopping on one of the Trolley Trains. After checking in, grab a free Christmas cocktail and embark on a ride to uptown St. Augustine. Once there, explore the shops, each offering special discounts, yummy snacks, cocktails, hot chocolate, and brunch! The proceeds go to a local charity, 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!
Cathedral Plaza
One of the most famous spots in town is the Cathedral Plaza, where the old Oak trees are all lit up with dazzling lights. Although officially called the Plaza de la Constitucion, locals like us often just call it 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 special Grand Christmas tree! It might not be huge, but it’s one of the few places in town with colorful lights. Don’t miss the Plaza! Keep an eye out for exciting events happening here during the Christmas season—it’s also a fantastic spot to kick off the festive cheer with the Grand Illumination!
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 fun 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 a lookout—you might even spot Santa sailing by!
Light Up!
A fresh spot to enjoy Christmas lights in St. Augustine is on West King Street! For the first time, this area just outside the Historic District is all aglow with over 3,000 sparkling lights. Live music and a dozen businesses are shining bright for the holidays, making it a must-see new event in St. Augustine!
The Nutcracker
One of the things I love during the holidays is watching The Nutcracker! It’s a ballet about a Christmas party where Clara gets a special Nutcracker from her magician uncle and then falls into a magical sleep. The music is amazing, and in St. Augustine, you can see different performances by local ballet schools. I also recommend checking out The St. Augustine Dance Conservatory’s show—it’s the same school I danced with for years!
Prestigious Restaurants
Lastly, don’t forget about the outstanding Christmas restaurants in St. Augustine! If you ever get the chance to experience Christmas in St. Augustine, make sure to check out to stay in our prestigious restaurants that are situated in the heart of Florida. They have a completely Christmas-themed cocktail menu, tasty recipes, and more Christmas decorations than you can imagine.
Visiting Cedar House Inn, Casa De Solana, and Victorian House Inn during this time of year is a must—it’s the most Christmassy restaurant in St. Augustine.
Don’t forget to try the hot drink; it’s perfect for warming up during a chilly Nights of Lights stroll!
Contact us for more details.
Cedar House Inn
Call US: +1(904)829-0079
St. Augustine, Florida
79 Cedar Street