St. Augustine Nights of Lights from Orlando: Holly Jolly Trolley

Ride through millions of white lights on the Holly Jolly Trolley in St. Augustine's 26-year-old Nights of Lights celebration.

This ten-hour tour departs Orlando for St. Augustine's Nights of Lights, a National Geographic-recognized holiday display featuring millions of white lights across the nation's oldest city. You ride the Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley through the historic district with special glasses that make the lights dance, plus hot apple cider and homemade cookies add to the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

St. Augustine Nights of Lights tour

• Pick up at International Drive Orlando
• Travel northeast to St. Augustine
• Explore holiday lights display
• Enjoy caroling, cider, and cookies
• Ride Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley

The experience

The drive northeast from International Drive takes you to St. Augustine, where the Nights of Lights celebration has been running for 26 years and regularly ranks in the top five holiday light competitions in the country, often landing at number one. The display traces its roots to a Spanish Christmas tradition of placing white candles in windows, and now millions of tiny white lights illuminate the city's 448-year history across rooftops and ground level, creating what National Geographic has selected as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world since 2011.

Once there, you board the Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley, which plays holiday music as it winds through the historic district. You'll wear special glasses that make all the lights shimmer and dance in front of your eyes: a detail that transforms how the display looks. The trolley carries you through the entire celebration so you see the full scope of the lighting without walking the streets yourself.

Round-trip transportation from Orlando is included, along with hot apple cider and homemade cookies served during the evening. A live English-speaking guide leads the tour, and children from age three are welcome. The whole experience runs about ten hours, so plan for a full evening away from the city.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from Orlando.
• hot apple cider and homemade cookies.
• Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley ride with special light-enhancing glasses.
• live English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Information

Lasts 10h, runs Sunday at 13:30, from US$ 119 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesSundayDeparts at 13:30Another day? ›

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line of Orlando

Is this one for you?Book this if you want round-trip transport from Orlando included and prefer traveling with a group on a set schedule rather than driving yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What makes St. Augustine's Nights of Lights different from other holiday light displays?

St. Augustine's Nights of Lights has been recognized by National Geographic since 2011 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, and it regularly ranks in the top five of holiday light competitions in the USA, often placing first. The display features millions of tiny white lights that illuminate the nation's oldest city and reflect its 448-year history.

What are the special glasses you wear on the Holly Jolly Trolley?

The special glasses provided on the trolley make all the lights dance and dazzle in front of your eyes, enhancing how the holiday display appears as you ride through the historic district.

How long is the entire tour from Orlando?

The tour runs about ten hours total, including round-trip transportation from International Drive in Orlando to St. Augustine and back.