This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.
Thousands of visitors head to the US’s oldest city to experience millions of twinkling lights in the Historic Downtown each year. This guide shares the best Night of Lights tours in St. Augustine that you can book to get the best experience from this annual Florida tradition.
You may also enjoy our guide St. Augustine at Christmas.
Nights of Lights Trolley Tour
As you wander around the oldest streets in St. Augustine, you can’t miss the city’s trolley tours.
This affordable way to view the holiday displays offers a roof overhead and saves your poor feet!
Photographers can take advantage of the open-air trolley by reserving a row that can fit four friends or family members.
The tour also includes a sugar cookie, cider apple, and caroling!
- Tour length: 35-40 mins
- Pros: Roof, snacks, private row
- Cons: You must book an entire row, no “hopping off”
- Kids: Yes
Nights of Lights Pirate Ship Tour
One of the most popular ways to see the Night of Lights is this boat tour around Matanzas Bay.
Visitors love the unique vantage point of the lit-up city from the water and the comfort of seats for all the family.
Tours depart at sunset, so not only do you get to experience the holiday lights, but you also get to set sail to a backdrop of dusky winter skies.
The voyage features festive music, light-hearted commentary from the pirate crew, and a bar selling snacks and drinks.
- Tour length: 2 hours
- Pros: Cool perspective for viewing the holiday lights
- Cons: No parking
- Kids: Yes, reviews say staff are great with wee ones
Adult-Only Boat Tour – Perfect For Couples
If you plan a child-free trip to St. Augustine, this Night of Lights cruise is for adults.
The boat has an onboard bar, a restroom, and covered areas for poorer weather.
Reviewers love the captain and crew’s entertainment and the hot chocolate with Baileys!
The vessel sails by St. Augustine attractions such as the Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
This is one of the very few tours that offers parking.
- Tour length: 1 hour 15 mins
- Pros: Adult only
- Cons: Can get cold
- Kids: No
Nights of Lights Tour by Electric Cart
An environmentally friendly way to experience St. Augustine during the Night of Lights season is by electric car, accompanied by holiday music.
This small group tour covers St. Augustine’s Waterfront, Plaza de la Constitución, Flagler College, the Lightner Building, and smaller streets that the bigger trolley cannot access.
The large golf cart ride is controlled by an entertaining driver who shares stories about the city while you sit back and relax as the silent vehicle takes to the streets.
The e-car is open at the sides, ideal for photography, but can get a little chilly, so remember to bundle up.
Small dogs can join the ride, too.
Reserve a seat via Viator or GetYourGuide.
- Tour length: 45 mins
- Pros: Comfortable
- Cons: Tour length, but the shorter timeframe may suit some visitors
- Kids: Yes, infants sit on an adult’s lap
Private Guided Night of Lights Tour
Another way to see the lights on the more compact historic streets is by private tour and golf cart limo!
This way, visitors can experience the holiday displays at the city’s charming bed and breakfast buildings.
A local tour guide provides live commentary of the Night of Lights festivities and 3D effect glasses.
- Tour length: 45-60 mins
- Pros: Smaller, private group, therefore more engagement from the driver
- Cons: Some reviews think it is pricy
- Kids: Yes, infants sit on an adult’s lap
Night of Lights by Golf Buggy
If your group is searching for an efficient yet private Night of Lights tour, consider renting this golf buggy with local guide.
This tour differs from the above as it is a real, compact golf cart as opposed to a bigger car.
Due to its size, visitors must rent the full buggy, which accommodates up to five riders.
- Tour length: 45 mins
- Pros: Private
- Cons: Can get chilly
- Kids: Yes, infants sit on an adult’s lap
Amelia Island Nights of Lights Trolley Tour
Visitors who choose to stay at the beach near St. Augustine don’t have to miss out, as this tour leaves and returns to Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island!
This means you don’t need to try and navigate the busy Night of Lights traffic or limited city parking.
The transportation runs between Amelia Island and St. Augustine and seats up to 14 people.
The price includes tickets to the famous Night of Lights trolley tour discussed above.
Complimentary hot apple cider and sugar cookies are provided on the trolley tour.
- Tour length: 4 hours
- Pros: No need to drive, avoiding St. Augustine traffic
- Cons: Long
- Kids: Yes, child restraint must be provided or reserved in advance
Nights of Lights From Jacksonville
Similar to the Amelia Island tour above, this one departs from and returns to Jacksonville.
Accommodating 14-47 passengers, the transportation may be able to offer door-to-door pick-up, depending on locations.
- Tour length: 5 hours
- Pros: No need to drive, avoiding St. Augustine traffic
- Cons: Long
- Kids: Yes, child restraint must be provided or reserved in advance
Nights of Lights Celebration from Orlando
Finally, this tour offers a round trip from Orlando, which means you can see Mickey by day and the Night of Lights at night and still make it back at a reasonable time.
This is great for those who are visiting Florida in winter for the first time and just don’t want to miss the world-famous holiday lights.
You may also like our guide to Orlando at Christmas.
- Tour length: 10 hours
- Pros: No need to drive, avoiding St. Augustine traffic
- Cons: Long
- Kids: Yes, child restraint must be provided or reserved in advance
Which of the Nights of Lights tours did you go for? Tell us in the comments!
