Best Holiday Activities in St. Augustine

st. augustine holiday activities

When you start to make preparations for the holiday season, it might be time to do away with the old and bring in the new with a visit to St. Augustine. The relaxing holiday season you deserve, St. Augustine promises endless fun activities and some of the most captivating lights of anywhere in the country. Escape the cold and snow everywhere else in the country and make a getaway to the Ancient City for the holidays. 

As one of the oldest cities in America, there is rich history and tradition to enjoy all across the city. From Christmas parades and light shows to relaxing in your St. Augustine vacation rental, it's time to start planning your trip now to enjoy the best St. Augustine holiday activities! 

Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights in St. Augustine is considered one of the most spectacular light shows in the nation per National Geographic. With millions of twinkling lights lining the city blocks throughout the town, it is quite a spectacle to behold. The lights are illuminated on November 20th at 6pm and they will stay active throughout the month of January. 

Go see the massive tree in the center of the action at the Plaza de la Constitución or enjoy a historic trolley ride through the town to enjoy the views. You can also make it an intimate, romantic evening by going to see the lights from a horsedrawn carriage. With so many streets covered in lights, there are plenty to see and enjoy all throughout the holiday season!

Christmas Parade & Colonial Night Watch

Saturday, December 4th at 9am begins the annual and beloved Christmas Parade through the town of St. Augustine. Bring your own chair and a blanket to stay cozy and enjoy the floats and bands that go by. A great activity for families, the parade starts at the Shrine of Our Lady Of La Leche at Mission of Nombre de Dios at 27 Ocean Ave and ends behind the Visitor's Center at 10 West Castillo Drive. The event is completely free and guaranteed to be a lot of fun for all ages!

At the end of the day, you can go enjoy the Colonial Night Watch reenactment. The St. Augustine Colonial Night Watch Torchlight parade takes place at 7pm the same day as the Christmas parade and goes from the Castillo to the Governor's House Cultural Center & Museum. Historic Florida Militia will be depticting 18th century Spanish, British, French,  colonial militia and Native American military arts as a tribute to the rich history of the area. 

Holiday Regatta of Lights

If you enjoy Christmas Parades, why not go to one of the most unique parades possible? The St. Augustine Regatta of Lights is a dazzling display of Christmas cheer and fun as a parade of boats goes by all decked out with Christmas lights and decoration! The parade kicks off on Saturday, December 11th at 6pm after sunset to get the best view of the lights! 

This even is free to spectators and you can watch along St. Augustine's bayfront between the Bridge of Lions and the Castillo de San Marcos. 

Get Your Holiday Shopping Done

St. Augustine is filled with high end shopping and amazing boutiques to help you cross off your Christmas list. There are two outlet malls very close to the city. St. Augustine Outlets offer great deals and discounts on clothing and items to make great gifts for your family. You can also shop for the finer things at the St. Augustine Premium Outlets for Gucci, Michael Kors, and Coach deals. Located just a short drive away on I-95, you can get all your needs and wants checked off before the big day arrives. 

Cozy Up in Your Vacation Rental

With temperatures mostly staying in the upper 60s during the day and only cooling into the 40s at night, it stays comfortable throughout the winter. You can enjoy stunning views from your vacation rental and sip on a warm cup of coffee from your balcony to make it a great cozy holiday season. Our oceanfront vacation rentals in St. Augustine come fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy a homecooked meal, TVs to enjoy movie nights, and a fishing dock on the Windjammer property to spend a few relaxing mornings reeling in fish. 

Book Your St. Augustine Vacation Rental Today and Join the Holiday Fun!

Choose from 2 or 3 bedroom condos to bring your whole family or just bring your significant other for a romantic getaway. There are oceanfront condos available to wake up every day and enjoy the views of the sea and other amazing amenities like tennis courts, internet access to get some work done, and washer/dryer in unit. Get out and enjoy all the activities or just stay comfortable indoors but book one of our St. Augustine beachfront vacation rentals today to enjoy the holiday season in St. Augustine. 

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