Spending the Holidays in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is one of my favorite places to visit during the holiday season. In my opinion, there is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit. Whether it is taking a ride on the Holly Jolly Jingle Trolley or grabbing a festive drink at Forgotten Tonic, there is something for everyone in the family. If you are planning to spend some time in St. Augustine this December, here are some of my favorite things to do while you’re here!

Nights of Lights

This year marks the 28th Annual Nights of Lights display in downtown St. Augustine. Each and every corner of our historic city is covered in more than 3 million lights from November 30, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Stop by the Plaza de la Constitución to see the Christmas tree or stroll along the bayfront to admire the lights across the Bridge of Lions. Other great light displays can be found at the Lightner Museum, Flagler College and the Tini Martini Bar, all located in St. Augustine’s historic district. This event is completely free and the City of St. Augustine offers a free Park and Ride shuttle service for Nights of Lights from November 20 to December 30, 2021. For more information, check out Visit St. Augustine.

Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour

To really get into the Christmas spirit, take a ride on one of Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights tours. Hop aboard and take a ride through downtown St. Augustine to get a full tour of Nights of Lights. Sing along to your favorite holiday carols and wear your complimentary magical viewing glasses for an even better look at the lights. Don’t forget your sugar cookies and warm apple cider after the tour! Tickets for a row on the trolley (up to 4 people) start at $69.95 and tours last around 30-45 minutes. To buy your tickets and for more information, check out Old Town Trolley Tours.

Miracle at Forgotten Tonic

For the big kids in the family, make sure to stop by Forgotten Tonic and check out their Miracle pop-up. The entire restaurant is transformed into a Christmas wonderland where you can find a variety of festive cocktails and desserts. Try a Christmapolitan or Snowball Old-Fashioned. To see the full menu, check out Forgotten Tonic.

Lighthouse Illuminations

New this year, the St. Augustine Lighthouse will be hosting a special after-hours event, available from December 1, 2021 to January 21, 2022. The Keepers’ house and surrounding grounds will be decorated with lights, garland and twenty-one decorated trees, each with their own theme. Climb to the top of the lighthouse to get a unique view of Nights of Lights. Start times for this event are 6:30pm, 7:00pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids 12 and under. To buy your tickets and for more information, check out the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Regatta of Lights

This is the 40th year of the St. Augustine Regatta of Lights, which is an annual event that takes place on the Matanzas Bay. Sailboats, fishing boats, shrimp boats and a variety of other vessels decorated with festive lights will cruise along just north of the Bridge of Lions. Anyone is welcomed to enter and prizes are awarded for many different categories. This year, the regatta will take place on December 11th at 6:00pm, but make sure to get your spot along the bayside early. This event is completely free and fun for the whole family. For more information, check out the St. Augustine Yacht Club.