St. Augustine, Florida is a truly magical place to spend the holiday season. Come November you’ll find public spaces, businesses, and residential homes adorned in twinkling lights, a warm beckoning to everyone’s favorite time of year. With Christmas rapidly approaching and much to do and see in town, we’re going to run down our list of favorite holiday events and happenings in St. Augustine this season. While Calissa Cay is an excellent community to make a home, St. Augustine is an excellent city to get into the holiday spirit.
By far the most popular local event, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is an annual Christmastime festival that attracts Floridians from all over the state. What makes the event so special is that it offers a little something for everyone and spans 20 blocks in the historic old town district. St. Augustine, also known as ‘The Nation’s Oldest City’, is draped with a stunning display of sparkling Christmas lights and decorations. The Plaza de la Constitución is a popular spot to view the lights and grab a holiday selfie in front of the plaza’s grand Christmas tree. The Bridge of Lions is another excellent spot to view the lights in their entirety glistening over the water.
In addition to perusing the lights on your own festive walking tour, there are a variety of professional tours available for those who prefer a guided experience. If a guided walking tour is more your speed, Ancient Tours offers a marvelous tour of Nights of Lights on foot. Visitors can hop on St. Augustine’s Old Town Trolley or Santa’s Red Express Nights of Lights Tour and enjoy a festive ride around the city to view the Christmas lights display. St. Augustine Land & Sea Tours is available to take small groups through the city on luxury golf carts. There are a variety of tasting tours, carriage rides, and Christmas-themed tours to participate in, an excellent way to add to your memorable St. Augustine holiday experience. Photography enthusiasts can learn how to take great holiday photos with a professional photographer as your tour guide with the St. Augustine Nights of Lights Photography Tour.
History buffs can enjoy St. Augustine’s masterful architecture ornamented with twinkling lights at The Lightner Museum, Villa Zorayda Museum, and historic Flagler College. If you’re a true Floridian and prefer being on the water for your holiday experience, there are a ton of great tours available for the Nights of Lights season like St. Augustine Eco Tours, Adventure Boat Tours, and Florida Water Tours. Private tours are available through Pia & Me Scenic Charters or St. Augustine Sailing. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers a terrific view of Nights of Lights while also being lit up with historical holiday cheer. Visitors can view 21 different Christmas trees on select nights during Lighthouse Illuminations through January 13th.
Visitors are encouraged not to miss the St. Augustine’s Annual Christmas Parade on December 2nd or the Annual Regatta of Lights on December 9th. Both holiday parades boast beautifully decorated floats/boats and a special visit from Santa himself! Don’t forget to use #NightsOfLights and #FloridasHistoricCoast on social media for a chance to be featured by the City of St. Augustine. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights runs through January 28th, 2024, however be sure to check specific event start/end dates. View additional Nights of Lights events here.
Making a home at Calissa Cay in St. Augustine, Florida is a special experience 365 days out of the year, however, the many local holiday events add festive cheer that only enhances life at Calissa Cay. If you’re ready to find out how you can join our luxury community in St. Augustine and live comfortably within minutes of these incredible holiday events year in and year out, then contact us today!
Directions: Calissa Cay is located off U.S. Hwy 1, just south of 207.
Sales Center: 1007 S. Ponce de Leon, St. Augustine, FL 32084
M-F: By Appt. Only, SA: 10 AM – 5 PM, SU: 12 PM – 4 PM.
MICHELLE MOUSIN ANDERSON
Real Estate Advisor, Sales Director
MELANIE ESCALANTE
Real Estate Advisor
Calissa Cay Harbour Residences is a new luxury home community located inside The St. Augustine Shipyards, a planned mixed-use waterfront community with retail, dining, a waterfront hotel and a full-service marina located in the heart of St. Augustine, FL on the San Sebastian River. All owners at Calissa Cay will enjoy priority to deep-water wet or dry boat slips.
Michelle Mousin Anderson
Real Estate Advisor, Sales Director
Melanie Escalante
Real Estate Advisor
1007 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd,
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Hours:
Mon: By Appointment
Tues – Sat: 10:00am – 5:00pm
