10 Festive Things to Do in St. Augustine for Christmas 2023

Are you trying to find some of the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas?

That time is upon us! It’s the holiday season that brings us joy and happiness, gets the family together, and not to mention comes endless food and drinks.

Whether you’re a St. Augustine local or just visiting, the city is extra magical during Christmastime.

With the award-winning Nights of Lights Festival running through January and a ton of events and activities to keep you and your family busy through December, there is no place like St. Augustine for the holidays.

Let’s check out 10 of my favorite things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas this year!

Seinfeld Episode with George celebrating Festivus in St Augustine Florida. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

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St. Augustine Christmas Events At a Glance:

  • The world-famous Nights of Lights runs nightly from November 18, 2023, until January 28, 2024
  • Be marveled by the illuminated Nights of Lights Trolley Tour
  • Enjoy all the holiday fun at St. Augustine’s 66th Annual Christmas Parade
  • Eat your way through the holidays on a Holiday Tasting Tour
  • Celebrate the “Sounds of the Season” at Kelly Farms with your favorite holiday classics
  • Don’t forget to check out the Holiday Regatta of Lights as the bayfront lights up in festive competition

Keep reading to get your FULL holiday guide on all the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas.

1. Enjoy Nights of Lights Festival

One of the best things about the Nights of Lights Festival is that you can enjoy it any day of the week for two months straight!

St. Augustine decorated for the Night of Lights  Keep reading to find out more of the best things to do in St Augustine for Christmas.

The St. Augustine historic district illuminates its buildings and streets with over 3 million lights.

Not only does the breathtaking seasonal display offer great photo opportunities, but the local businesses stay open late so you can dine and shop to your merry heart’s content

Palm tree covered in lights and Christmas tree full of festive decorations.  Keep reading to discover more St. Augustine Christmas events.

The best places to view the twinkling lights are from The Plaza de Constitucion and The Bridge of Lions.

However, the options are endless with tours on trains, trolleys, electric carts, boats, or even helicopters! Check out some of our favorite tour options and special events throughout our list.


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2. Take a Holiday Ride on the Old Town Trolley Tour

The Old Town Trolley Tour is a long-time favorite with tourists and locals alike. St. Augustine is ripe with over 500 years of history and there is so much to experience and learn while you’re visiting.

Old Town Trolley Tour for Christmas St Augustine. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

With the Old Town Trolley Tour, you can hop off and on whenever you want, visit over 100 different points of interest, and avoid the nightmare of parking, all while learning so much about the city with a real-time tour guide.

Old Town Trolley in front of St Augustine Distillery. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

During the holidays, you can experience the usual 1 or 2-day trolley tours, or, during the evening, you can experience the Nights of Lights Trolley Tour!

So, check out the best of the Nights of Lights Festival through magical viewing glasses while sipping on warm apple cider and snacking on gooey sugar cookies!

Book Your St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour TODAY!

3. Do Other Nights of Lights Tours

While the Old Town Trolley Tour is one of the most famous ways to tour the Nights of Lights Festival, you have plenty of other options available!

NikkyJ looking at Christmas tree doing holiday tour in St Augustine Florida. Keep reading to find out more things to do in St Augustine for Christmas.
Check out NikkyJ on a holiday tour in St. Augustine Florida.

The St. Augustine Ponte Vedra website lists all of the best ways to tour.

Santa Claus with colored Christmas lights behind him. Keep reading to discover more St. Augustine Christmas events.

You can tour on a train with Santa, have a pirate tour on a boat, take a helicopter ride with Old City Helicopters, or even tour in a comfortable, luxury gold cart.

Book one the TOP Tours in St. Augustine, Florida TODAY!

4. Tour the Holiday Regatta of Lights

The Nights of Lights festival hits the bay during the Holiday Regatta of Lights. This event, put on by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, takes place on the second Saturday of December, so it’s falling on December 9th this year.

Holiday Regatta of Lights St Augustine. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

You can watch this free Christmas event in St. Augustine beginning at 6 p.m.

Tons of boats put on a spectator show as they decorate their vessels with fabulous lighting displays, competing to win one or more of the competition’s categories.

Holiday with NikkyJ enjoying Christmas in St Augustine standing near the bay next to the fort.
NikkyJ celebrating Christmas in St. Augustine

Which boat will have the best theme, be the most colorful, win best in class, or best overall?

You’ll have to come and check out this boat parade to find out. Viewers can grab a seat along the seawall or Bayfront or show up early to get a good seat at one of the bayside restaurants.

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5. Celebrate the Sounds of the Season

Kelly Farms comes alive with the Sounds of the Season when the St. Augustine Orchestra fills the air with Christmas cheer.

Photo of Orchestra conductor. Keep reading to discover more St. Augustine Christmas events.

Celebrate your favorite holiday classics starting at 5:30 p.m. on December 17th. You are welcome to bring a picnic, some blankets or chairs, and immerse yourself in the holiday performance with your friends and families.

They also have VIP tables available and tickets for the festive extravaganza that range from $25 to $100.

6. Watch the Christmas Parade

Christmas isn’t complete without coming together as a community and putting on a holiday parade!

The Christmas Parade in St. Augustine takes place on December 2nd this year and will kick off the holiday season with a bang. This year marks St. Augustine’s 66th Annual Christmas Parade!

St. Augustine Christmas Parade. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

The St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade will feature marching bands bringing the classic Christmas songs, floats decorated to the brim with Christmas cheer, and even horses with sleigh bells, all taking the streets before the arrival of Santa.

NikkyJ holding ornaments on Christmas tree in St Augustine Florida. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!
Check out NikkyJ enjoying St. Augustine Florida for Christmas

The Christmas Parade goes right through the historic downtown of St. Augustine, which means the Nights of Lights display makes it that much more special.

It starts at 9 a.m. by the Mission Nombre de Dios. Make sure to arrive early to grab a good spot!

Recommended: 27 Most Festive Things to Do in Orlando for Christmas

7. Enjoy a Luminary Night

Another popular thing to do in St. Augustine is the Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

During regular hours, you can visit to explore a number of exhibits, programs, and even nature trails or climb to the top of the lighthouse for sweeping views of the bay.

St Augustine Lighthouse for Christmas. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

During Christmas time, they hold their annual Luminary Night. This year it will be on December 6th.

It is a great free Christmas event in St. Augustine and is a community celebration that is perfect for all ages.

Christmas tree decorated for the holidays. Keep reading to discover more St. Augustine Christmas events.

Over 2000 luminaries are lit up throughout the grounds plus plenty of other holiday lights and decorations.

Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to climb the tower for some of the best views of the dazzling historic downtown and see the enchanted display of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights.

8. Enjoy Una Noche de Navidad & Las Posadas

Translated to “A Night of Christmas and The Inns,” this event commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for a safe place for the birth of Jesus.

This event includes a eucharistic adoration, a live nativity, and cookies and hot chocolate and the cost is by goodwill donation

Mission Nombre St Augustine. Keep reading to discover more St. Augustine Christmas events.

This year, it takes place on December 16th, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mission Nombre de Dios. There are no tickets required, however, guests who want to partake in the procession must register ahead of time.

Recommended: 39 Best Souvenirs From Florida You MUST BUY from Your Trip!

9. Do a Holiday Tasting Tour in Downtown St. Augustine, Florida

There are a few organizations in St. Augustine that offer delicious foodie tours throughout the year where you can experience some of the finest cuisine the city has to offer.

St Augustine Christmas near downtown. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

During the holiday season, they have some really special tours on offer to get everyone into the Christmas spirit!

Their Nights of Lights tours mix things up a bit, and there are great options for couples, families, or large groups.

They offer private or group wine and carriage rides through the lit-up historic downtown. This is one of my favorite things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

NikkyJ in front of Spanish Bakery in St Augustine Florida. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!
Check out NikkyJ in front of the Spanish Bakery enjoying St Augustine Florida for Christmas.

There is also a GRINCHmas ride, perfect for kids, that includes family-friendly fun and sing-alongs.

Other kid-friendly options include the Bah Humbug Experience or the Ho Ho Ho ride with Santa.

Recommended: 15 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Gainesville TODAY

10. Participate in the Colonial Night Watch

If you’re craving a little more history after all of the interesting tours you’ve checked out, then the Colonial Night Watch is the perfect holiday event for you!

Castillo San Marcos Fort St Augustine at Christmas. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

The event is a recreation of historic Night Watches, where citizens who were on the streets after the city gates were locked had to carry a light to be identified by the Night Watch.

Castillo de San Marcos St Augustine Fort. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

The events for the day start at 10 a.m. in the Colonial Quarter where visitors will be able to view a variety of reenactments including historical occupations, military drills, weapon firing, and other presentations.

Also, the entire day is filled to the brim with educational and entertaining events.

Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine with NikkyJ. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!
NikkyJ visiting Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine Florida

At the end of the night, there will be a torch parade, an homage to the Night Watch. It will start at the Castillo de San Marcos at 7 p.m. and head towards the city gate.

This family-friend event will be held on December 2nd and is one of the free Christmas events in St. Augustine for the public.

11. BONUS: Self-Guided Bed and Breakfast Tour of Holiday Decor

The famous Bed and Breakfast spots in St. Augustine, Florida adorn themselves with festive decorations for the season.

Strolling the timeless streets you can escape into the charm of the historic city. You will see how the owners go out of their way each year to bring holiday cheer to their quaint locations.

Or even better book a stay in one and fully immerse yourself into the festive and historic homes for the holidays.

Book your St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast vacation stay TODAY!

My Final Thoughts on the Fun Things to Do in St. Augustine for Christmas

As you can see, there are so many festive things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas this year!

St Augustine Night Skyline. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Florida during the holidays.

Christmas Tree in downtown St Augustine square. Keep reading for the best things to do in St. Augustine for Christmas!

The weather is always perfect and I just love walking downtown and enjoying all of the Christmas décor.

Top 10 Things to Do in St. Augustine for Christmas
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Now it’s your turn. What’s your favorite free thing to do in St. Augustine, Florida for Christmas? Let us know in the comments section below!

Happy Florida Travels!

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About the Author

My name is NikkyJ. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves exploring all the hidden gems of Florida!

I was born and raised in Leesburg, Florida which attributes to my passion about for this amazing state.

I want to show you how you can create your own memories while discovering the Sunshine State!

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: 25 AMAZING Things to Do in Florida at Christmas (YOU MUST VISIT)

(Original Article Date: November 30, 2021/Updated by Editor on November 16, 2023)

Some Photos Courtesy of Canva.com

2 thoughts on “10 Festive Things to Do in St. Augustine for Christmas 2023”

  1. Another great choice for things to do at Christmas in Florida is the Holiday Stroll Through Cascades Park. Holidays at LEGOLAND® is another wonderful place to celebrate Christmas in Florida.

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