Old Town Trolley’s

Nights of Lights Tour

A Holiday Tradition

Celebrating 31 Years

The holidays are popular for enjoying time-honored traditions like gift-giving, bonding with family, and decorating your home in the spirit of the season. Here in America’s Oldest City, we take the latter to a whole different level. Inspired by an ancient holiday practice brought here by the Spanish of displaying lit candles on window sills, The Annual Nights of Lights is set to brighten up the holidays in The Ancient City once again! To experience the glow of the season and the more than 3 million sparkling white lights adorning every corner of the city, stretching for nearly 20 blocks, take a ride on Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour!

Spend less time waiting in line and more time with your loved ones…

Reserve a private row for you and your family or for that special someone and
your Nights of Lights Trolley will be waiting for you when you arrive.

From January 6th through the 26th, Military members, teachers, and first responders
enjoy $20 off our Nights of Lights Trolley Tour with promo code SERVICE20.

Best Seasonal Attraction

Old Town Trolley’s Nights of Lights Tour is proud to have been awarded the 2024 Best Seasonal Attraction by “Best of St. Augustine”.

2024 best of St. Augustine winner logo

SHOWCASING OUR

Tour Highlights

Holiday Cheer

You’ll be caroling to your favorite holiday music!

Hilton holiday lights in St. Augustine

Magical Glasses

Our complimentary glasses will enhance the glimmer of the lights and include over $100 of money saving coupons.

sugar cookies

Treats

Complimentary sugar cookies and warm apple cider.

SAVE THE DATES

Tour Schedule

November 24, 2024 – January 26, 2025

Tours depart from the Visitor Information Center,
10 West Castillo Drive.

Approx. 30-45 minutes. Times vary by date.
See calendar for times.

Reservations are required.

Don’t forget to wear your complimentary magical viewing glasses for an enhanced, fully immersive holiday experience. Did you know?… The coupons on your Nights of Lights glasses are valued at over $100 in savings!

nights of lights glasses

One of the 10 Best Holiday Lighting Displays in the World

National Geographic Traveler

One of the 12 Favorite Places to Catch the Holiday Spirit

AAA Auto Club

One of the Top 100 Events in the Country

American Bus Association

Best Seasonal Attraction

Best of St. Augustine

St. Augustine with its Nights of Lights festival is one of the best cities to visit at Christmas.

Conde Nast Traveler

One of the 23 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report
Prev
Next

TWELFTH ANNUAL

Light Up the Night Contest!

Each year guests of the Old Town Trolley are asked to help choose the city’s Top 3 lighting displays.

Winners of these prestigious awards will receive cash, prizes and one of the most sought-after trophies in the city!

Holiday Tree Decorating Contest

Old Town Trolley Tours is proud to be partnering with the St. Johns County School District and INK!, a non-profit support organization that works with the district, for their Holiday Tree Program.

holiday tree contest 2023 trophies

Join Our Elf Hunt

Elf Hunt logo

Deep in the heart of the North Pole, Santa’s elves have toiled tirelessly to weave magic into the holiday season for children far and wide! To reward the elves for their hard work, Santa granted the elves a magical vacation in the enchanted land of St. Augustine to enjoy the World-Famous Nights of Lights. Amidst their joyous frolics, however, the playful elves have become separated and now seek your helping hand to reunite them.

Family searching looking at window display and elf

Santa Promises a Special Reward at the End of Your Tour...

If you can help find the elves amongst the more than 3 million sparkling white lights, Santa promises a special reward at the end of your tour. May luck and merriment guide your path!

elf hunt ornaments

QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS!

FAQs

Tickets for Nights of Lights Tours are priced per trolley row with 1-4 guests allowed per row. The row is your group’s private row and will not be mixed with other guests. Reservations are required. Reservation-based tickets are non-refundable. You may reschedule up to 24 hours in advance of tour time by calling 904-337-3780. Maximum of 4 guests per row.

Tours depart from the Visitor Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive.

Children 3 years and younger may be considered a lap child. Toddler carriers and children ages 4 and older are required to have their own seat and must remain seated at all times.

Discount parking for trolley guests is available at the nearby Old Town Trolley Welcome Center, 27 San Marco Ave., on a first come, first served basis. 24 hours a day parking is conveniently available at the adjacent Historic Downtown Parking Facility. Cash, credit, and debit cards are all accepted.

For wheelchairs and scooters, a minimum of twenty-four (24) hour notice is recommended. Please call 904-337-3780 for scheduling. This will allow us time to ensure that a properly equipped vehicle will be made available for your use. Wheelchair-accessible trolleys are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. PLEASE NOTE: Strollers and ECVs may be left with the attendant at the tour entrance and can be retrieved at the end of the ride.

November 24, 2024 – January 26, 2025 – Tours run for approx. 30-45 minutes. Times vary by date. See calendar for times.

Food and drinks are welcome. However alcoholic beverages are not allowed under any circumstance for the safety and comfort of all of our guests.

All of our tours are in English.

To ensure our guests can sit together and fully enjoy the experience, we offer tickets by the entire Trolley Row rather than individual seats. Each row can accommodate up to (4) four guests. The row is your group’s private row and will not be mixed with other guests. This approach guarantees a more seamless and enjoyable holiday journey for everyone.

Tours depart from the Visitor Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive.

Children 3 years and younger may be considered a lap child. Toddler carriers and children ages 4 and older are required to have their own seat and must remain seated at all times.

Parking is not included with the tour. Discount parking for trolley guests is available at the nearby Old Town Trolley Welcome Center, 27 San Marco Ave., on a first come, first served basis. 24 hours a day parking is available at the adjacent Historic Downtown Parking Facility. Cash, credit, and debit cards are all accepted.

Many, but not all our Trolleys are equipped with lifts that can accommodate one scooter or wheelchair each. For guests using wheelchairs or scooters, we kindly request at least 24 hours’ notice to accommodate your needs. Please contact us at (904) 829-3800](tel:9048293800) to schedule in advance. This will ensure we can provide a properly equipped vehicle for your comfort and convenience. Wheelchair-accessible trolleys are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

November 24, 2024 – January 26, 2025. Tour length is approx. 30-45 minutes, traffic permitting. Times vary by date. To view the calendar, click “Buy Tickets” on the home page and select a date.

Food and drinks are welcome. However alcoholic beverages are not allowed under any circumstance for the safety and comfort of all of our guests.

All of our tours are in English only.

Yes, we can accommodate most regular-size strollers, but they must be collapsible and fit in your row with your party. Strollers may also be left with the attendant at the tour entrance and can be retrieved at the end of the ride. Please note, however, that we are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

For private transportation or groups of 15 or more, please call our Groups & Charters Department at (904) 829-3800.

We will run as normal during rainy weather and free rain ponchos are available by asking a CASTmember.

The tour has minimal narration, as you’ll be immersed in the holiday spirit—singing along to your favorite festive music and marveling at the stunning lights through your complimentary Magical Glasses!

Children in car seats can safely sit on your lap or beside you.

We do not offer gift certificates, but the ticket can be booked for a certain date then rescheduled as needed.

Trolleys are open-air and are not heated. Feel free to bring a blanket and at the end of the tour we will provide complimentary hot apple cider to warm you up!

The Nights of Lights tour takes you through the heart of the Historic District, along the scenic Bayfront by the Castillo de San Marcos, and through the Plaza de la Constitución.

To report a lost item or return an item you’ve found, please contact us at [email protected].

The trolleys are open-air and do not have air conditioning.

Service animals are the only animals that are allowed on board the trolleys. A service animal means a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Animal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals and not allowed on the tour.

2024

Performance Calendar

Sponsored by Old Town Trolley Tours, all groups perform nightly at the Old Town Trolley Nights of Lights Guest Queuing Area – Visitor Information Center.

A JOLLY NEWSLETTER

Let’s Keep in Touch

Receive special offers & latest events.