12/07/2024
Take a look at all the great events taking place this weekend in St. Augustine during Nights of Lights. The entire month has many attractions and events to partake in during the Holiday season. Check out Totally St. Augustine for all the upcoming events and make your reservation at The Sand Bucket at Seaside for comfortable accomodations. Call 904-471-0721.
🌟WEEKEND EVENTS Dec. 7-8 in St. Augustine & St. Johns County, Florida:
🌟Colonial Night Watch & Torchlight Parade
December 7: Historic Florida Militia depicts 18th century combined Spanish and British colonial militia and Native American military arts, culture and lifestyles from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Colonial Quarter Museum, 33 St. George Street.
The Torchlight Parade is at 7 p.m. from the Castillo de San Marcos (11 S. Castillo Dr.) to the Governor’s House Cultural Center & Museum, 48 King Street. From the balcony of the Governor’s House, the ceremonial Spanish Governor will greet and address the crowd.
🌟Cafe Eleven concerts and comedians in St. Augustine Beach
Cafe Eleven, 501 A1A Beach Blvd., in St. Augustine Beach, Florida features regional and national recording artists in an intimate listening room. See the concert lineup below. GET TICKETS: originalcafe11.com
December 6: Vanessa Collier
December 7: Drew Harrison – In the Spirit of Lennon
December 8: Ain’t Sisters
🌟Vilano Holiday Village – Free Events and Santa
December 7-21: Free events each weekend in Vilano Beach, Florida including Santa & Mrs. Claus, shopping at the Artisan Market, live music, The Cirque Adventure, a Murder Mystery & Taste of Vilano Pub Crawl and other holiday events in this vintage beach town with a great vibe. See all event details at www.vilanobeachfl.com
🌟The Light of Christmas – Drive-Thru Light Display
December 6-8 and December 13-25: The annual FREE drive-through Christmas light display called The Light of Christmas is on view at Turning Point at Calvary, 3500 State Road 16, in St. Augustine. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-8and December 13-25. The Light of Christmas features more than a half million lights that create scenes and giant Christmas trees that dance to music. Guests will be asked to turn to a specific radio station to hear the holiday music as they travel the route of The Light of Christmas. Admission is FREE. For more Information, call 904-829-9795 or go to www.tpcalvary.com
🌟Marineland Market
December 7: Ragga Surf Cafe runs the Marineland Market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m the first Saturday of each month at 9650 N Ocean Short Blvd, in Marineland, Florida. This market includes local artisans, live music, produce, prepared food and more.
🌟St. Augustine Christmas Parade
December 7: The St. Augustine Christmas Parade will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 7 in downtown St. Augustine. The parade begins on San Marco Avenue at the Mission of Nombre de Dios and continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine along the Bayfront, and ending behind the Parking Garage.
🌟Christmas Fantastique
December 7-8: Christmas Fantastique by Zoika’s Dance takes the audience along young Clara’s Christmas Eve dream as her toys come to life and she travels with a young prince to the Land of Sweets. Performances take place at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. 904-342-5920 www.zoikasdance.com
🌟St. Augustine Orchestra’s Sounds of the Season
December 8: The St. Augustine Orchestra will perform at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, December 8 at Kelly Farms, 5895 County Road 214, in St. Augustine. Hear holiday music by St. Augustine’s all-volunteer orchestra. Tickets are available at staugustineorchestra.com
🌟Kidz Entrepreneur Holiday Market
December 8: The Kidz Entrepreneur Holiday Market is happening from noon-4 p.m. at The Tringali Bar, 7310 US 1, St. Augustine. More than 40 youth vendors (ages 4-17) will offer seasonal gifts. Enjoy a DJ, Santa, food trucks and other seasonal family fun. Parents can register kid vendors by emailing [email protected] (limited spaces available). The Saucey Pig and A Cup of Joy Coffee will offer food and snacks, and Sonny’s BBQ will provide lunch to the youth vendors. Admission is free.
ONGOING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS EVENTS
🌟Journey to the North Pole — An Immersive Christmas Experience daily through December 23 at The Lab, 25 Palmer Street, St. Augustine. Step into the heart of the North Pole and join us in a one-of-a-kind interactive, artistic, and photographic experience designed to enchant visitors of all ages. ❄️🧭Explore, create, and let the magic of Christmas guide you through a North Pole town unlike any you’ve seen before. Wander freely, take on exciting quests, and enjoy your own special moment with Santa Claus himself! 🎅➡️ Tickets and details at chillstrawberry.com
🌟Nights of Pints
November 22-December 31: The 2024 Nights of Pints kicks off November 22 at three craft breweries in St. Augustine, Florida — Dog Rose Brewing Co., Ancient City Brewing, and Jack’s BBQ Brewery. The event coincides with Nights of Lights. Shirts are available through December 31. Beer cards are honored through December 31. Participants will be able to purchase a $35 shirt and punch card good for one free pint at participating breweries. This event benefits area nonprofits.
🌟Ancient City Christmas Experience
November 29-December 22: This all-new event features ice skating, Santa, a kids area, a 45-foot Christmas tree, reindeer games, The Grinch, and a Christmas tree farm. The Ancient City Christmas Experience runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 22. Located at 395 St. Marks Pond Blvd, St. Augustine FL 32095. Tickets & Details: ancientcitychristmas.com
🌟Nights of Lights Holiday Market at Colonial Quarter
November 23-January 1: The all-new Nights of Lights Holiday Market runs from 3-9 p.m. daily through January 1 at the Colonial Quarter, 33 St. George Street, behind St. Augustine Seafood and the Colonial Oak Music Park. Follow the huge lighted star to find the local artisans offering handcrafted gifts.
🌟Ximenez-Fatio House Nights of Lights Holiday Tour – 100 Years of Music
November 23-January 18: View artist decorated 13 fireplace mantelpieces in the circa 1798 Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street, in historic St. Augustine, Florida. A partnership with the St. Augustine Art Association, the holiday exhibit celebrates the organizations 100-year anniversary. The Art Association was founded on January 18, 1924 in the Ximenez-Fatio House during a gathering. Inspired by music, the art exhibition is held during the Nights of Lights holiday season, with the 226-year-old history house decorated with holiday finery. Tours are available Nov. 23-Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Free concerts are held every Saturday at 2 p.m. TICKETS: ximenezfatiohouse.org
🌟Nights of Lights
November 23-January 26: Nights of Lights begins November 23, 2024 and continues nightly through January 26, 2025. Nights of Lights has been listed among the top ten holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic, During this festival of lights, downtown St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City. Admission is free. Tour companies offer tours by trolley, boat, bus, golf cart and more. Details at nightsoflights.com
🌟Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour
November 24-January 26: In its 31st year, St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights is admired by a global audience and is well known as one of the “10 Best Holiday Lighting Displays in the World” by National Geographic Traveler. Take an Old Town Trolley Tour, complete with 3D glasses, to view the lights throughout St. Augustine, Florida. TICKETS: www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/nights-of-lights
🌟St. Augustine Experiences – History Under the Lights Tour
November 24-January 26: St. Augustine Experiences will offer a special evening availability for the popular history walking tour. In addition to regular times at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and a special “History Under the Lights” will depart at 6 p.m. Join professional guides as they delve into 4 1/2 centuries of St. Augustine’s rich history, illuminated by the enchanting Nights of Lights. Tickets & details at staugustineexperiences.com
🌟Lighthouse Illuminations (20+ themed trees) at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
November 22-January 11:Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum during Nights of Lights in St. Augustine, Florida to see Lighthouse Illuminations: Tides, Tidings, and Trees. Discover 20+ uniquely decorated trees at this special after-hours event. Explore the Keepers’ House and grounds illuminated by lights and garlands, and enjoy a sensational view of Nights of Lights from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Lighthouse’s Fresnel Lens. Spots fill up quickly with limited availability so please book ahead. TICKETS: https://store.staugustinelighthouse.org/Events.aspx
🌟Villa Zorayda Museum’s Holiday & Candlelight Tours
December-January 4: Join the Villa Zorayda Museum this Holiday Season for the 15th Annual “Candlelight Tours.” The Zorayda is beautifully decorated for the holidays with decorations throughout the Museum and a spectacular Christmas tree is located center stage in the “Court of Lions.”Limited availability, advanced tickets are highly recommended. Tours are at 5:30 and 7 p.m. on select evenings during Nights of Lights. www.villazorayda.com
🌟The Night Watchman Ghost Tour
December-January 26: Stroll the streets on the Southside of town for an interactive ghost tour like no other. The Night Watchman kept watch over the city after everyone else went to sleep. Learn about the frightening things he saw, heard, smelled and felt while keeping the city safe. Stops at The Castillo de San Marcos, Huguenot and Tolomato Cemeteries. Tours leave nightly at 8 p.m. from the Treasure Chest. Tickets are $25. 76 Spanish St., St. Augustine. 407-342-1569 www.seeamericatours.net/Familytour
🌟Nights of Lights boat tours with St. Augustine Eco Tours
November 24-January 26: See Nights of Lights from the water with St. Augustine Eco Tours, departing from the City Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, Florida. The Sunset and Nights of Lights boat seats 12 passengers and provides awesome views of the illuminated City. Tours leave at 4:15 p.m. 904-377-7245 www.staugustineecotours.com
🌟Nights of Lights by Florida Water Tours
November 24-January 26: Enjoy a special 90-minute Sunset Nights of Lights Cruise. Tours leave from Camachee Cove Marina, 107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine. www.floridawatertour.com
ONGOING EVENTS/TOURS
🌟Tours of the Peña-Peck House, 143 St. George Street, and the Artisan Gift Shop
Wednesday-Saturday, 12-4:30 pm
penapeckhouse.com
🌟St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum — Self-guided tours 9 AM-6 PM seven days at week. staugustinelighthouse.org
🌟Tours of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center — 450+ years of African American history lincolnvillemuseum.org
🌟Fort Mose Historic State Park Fort Mose Historical Society — the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the U.S.
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-mose-historic-state-park
🌟Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street — built in 1798 by and Spanish merchant and his Minorcan wife and a boarding house owned by women ximenezfatiohouse.org
🌟Oldest House Museum Complex, 14 St. Francis Street - Tour Florida’s oldest house, the St. Augustine Historical Society’s museum, and other historic buildings and exhibits.
10 am-5 pm daily
staughs.com
🌟See America Tours — The Key to the City Scavenger Hunt & The Night Watchman Ghost Tour
seeamericatours.net
🌟St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday
🌟The Tasting Tours — Food, wine, beer and spirits of St. Augustine thetastingtours.com
🌟St. Augustine Eco Tours — kayak, boat and sailing
staugustineecotours.com
🌟Shop local at The Spice & Tea Exchange of St. Augustine - 59 Hypolita Street and 167 San Marco Ave.
📸: Gary LeVeille Images - Colonial Nightwatch on St. George Street
