St. Augustine’s beloved holiday tradition returns Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., as the city prepares to celebrate the 68th Annual Christmas Parade. The long-running event once again ushers in the holiday season with a lively mix of sparkling floats, festive décor, and a Santa sack full of family-friendly fun. Local organizations, neighborhood groups, costumed marchers, classic cars, and even a few spirited pups will join the lineup, contributing to one of the largest and most anticipated holiday parades in Northeast Florida.
Each entry arrives decked out in holiday style, culminating in an appearance by Santa himself as residents and visitors crowd the Historic District for the morning spectacle. The parade begins at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission of Nombre de Dios, travels south through downtown, and concludes behind Visitor Information Center, officially signaling the start of the holiday season in the Nation’s Oldest City. Here’s what to know about the parade.
When is St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade?
The annual Christmas Parade goes through downtown on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
What is the route for St. Augustine’s Christmas parade? At what time does it start?
The parade begins at 9 a.m. at the Mission Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue and continues along Avenida Menendez to Cathedral Place and ends on Cordova Street near the parking garage.
See route for St. Augustine’s Christmas parade
What are the best spots to watch the Christmas Parade in St. Augustine?
Prime viewing places include along the west side of San Marco Avenue, anywhere along Cathedral Place, and Cordova Street, as a pro tip, it is recommended to arrive early to secure prime seating.
At what time are road closures for St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade? Which roads are closing and at what time?
Road closures begin at 8 a.m. along San Marco Avenue and surrounding streets. Starting at 8:15 a.m., traffic will be prohibited on:
Where to park for St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade
The Historic Downtown Parking Facility will remain accessible via US 1 & W. Castillo Drive.
At what time does shuttle service start?
Free shuttles drop off at the parking garage (and go back to the lots from the garage). Free Park and Ride shuttles start at 8 a.m. for St. Augustine’s Christmas parade. Other free satellite lot locations include:
Why use the shuttle for St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade? Is it worth it?
Yes, according to Visit St. Augustine’s official page, when the shuttles operate, the parking garage fee will be $40.00. (This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents who have registered with ParkStAug. You can register online or at the office on Bridge Street. Therefore, organizers advise taking the shuttle for a hassle-free and less costly experience.
At what time will roads reopen after St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade?
All roads are expected to reopen by 11 a.m.
Wondering what to do after the Christmas parade? Stay to see ‘Nights of Lights’
So what’s ‘Nights of Lights’ in St. Augustine? A tradition that began in 1994, Nights of Lights is a holiday lights display featuring more than 3 million white lights outlining the city’s historic district buildings and other features, including the iconic Bridge of Lions, connecting downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island across Matanzas Bay.
The event attracts thousands of people each year to the city to see the display, often ranked as one of the best in the United States and even the world.
It traces its origins back to the traditional Spanish practice of displaying a white candle in windows during the Christmas holidays. It symbolizes making room in their homes and hearts for Jesus when Mary and Joseph couldn’t find an inn that would give them shelter.
When is Nights of Lights? How long does it run?
Lighting up every night, for almost two months, starting Saturday, November 15, 2025, through Sunday, January 11, 2026. There’s no excuse to miss out on seeing the oldest city in the U.S light up this holiday season.
What time do St. Augustine lights come on for Nights of Lights?
The Nights of Lights in St. Augustine turns on around dusk, with the lights officially coming on nightly at approximately 5:30 p.m. and remaining on past 2 a.m.
Is St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights free?
Yes, St. Augustine’s “Nights of Lights” is free and can be best appreciated on foot. Nights of Lights is a walking event, best enjoyed by strolling the city’s historic Old World streets.
When did Nights of Lights start in St. Augustine?
Locally, it was a couple of community leaders who got Nights of Lights glowing — former Mayor Len Weeks and former City Councilman William Lennon.
The two visited a city in Tennessee with an annual lights event, inspiring Weeks to go door-to-door back home to seek $2,000 pledges from businesses to participate, according to a Times-Union editorial. Next, he requested $250,000 from the city in order to move the idea forward. The city met him halfway with $125,000, and that was the start of Nights of Lights in 1994.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Augustine’s 68th Christmas Parade: Route details and start time
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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