Top Christmas Light Displays of 2023

Hello, festive families! Ready to explore the most dazzling Christmas light displays in Northeast Florida and beyond? From the shimmering streets of Jacksonville to the twinkling magic of St. Augustine, we’re about to embark on a merry adventure that promises unforgettable nights under the holiday lights. So, bundle up, gather your loved ones, and let’s dive into a world aglow with festive cheer!

Dazzling Nights at Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Peppermint Pass! Photo Credit Dazzling Nights

Our adventure begins at the Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville. Prepare to be enchanted by dancing lights, interactive exhibits, and a winter wonderland that’s perfect for family selfies!

Photo Credit Dazzling Nights

• WHEN: November 24, 2023 – December 29, 2023
• TIMES : First entry at 5:30 PM. Last entry 8:30 PM. No guests will be admitted after 8:40.
• PRICE: $22 per adult and $19 per child, plus fees. Children ages 2 and under enter for free (link to ticket purchase)
• ARRIVAL: For on-site parking, please arrive 15 – 20 minutes prior to your scheduled entry time. For Off-site parking shuttle, please arrive 30 minutes prior to your ticketed entry time.
• FOOD: Lite bites, hot chocolate, beer, and wine are available for purchase.

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Blackhawk Bluff Neighborhood Lights

Blackhawk Bluff Neighborhood Drive Through!

Experience the magic of the holidays at Blackhawk Bluff. This free drive-through neighborhood light display, running from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, is a local favorite for its spectacular lights.

• WHEN: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024
• TIMES: Hours of operation is 6pm to 10pm Sunday thru Thursday & 6pm to 11pm on Friday & Saturday.
• PRICE: FREE
  ARRIVAL: This is a vehicle drive through event.

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Beauclerc Christmas Lights

See this home featured on National TV! Great Christmas Light Fight!

Over on Beauclerc Road, walk or drive through a million lights on an acre of land.The Alderd House was featured on the Great Christmas Light Fight, this family home is a beacon of holiday spirit.

• WHEN: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024
• TIMES: Sunset to 10 pm
• PRICE: FREE
• ARRIVAL: If you arrive early in the evening, there’s ample roadside parking. Be cautious when crossing to the light display. Once there, you can meander through a mesmerizing wonderland of lights.

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Deck the Chairs, Jacksonville Beach

Photo credit Jennifer Szukala

Don’t miss Deck The Chairs at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. This local tradition, free to the public, illuminates the beach with a unique holiday light display.

Photo credit Google user alednan

• WHEN: November 22, 2023- January 1, 2024 (with various events scheduled)
• TIMES: 5pm to 1am
• PRICE: FREE
• ARRIVAL: Parking is available, but space is limited during events.

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Spring Park Parade of Trees, Green Cove Springs

Spring Park in Green Cove Springs glows with 225 lit Christmas Trees. This community display, free and open to the public, is a true Green Cove Springs Christmas tradition.

• WHEN: December 2, 2023, to December 31, 2023
• TIMES: Sunset to 10pm
• PRICE: FREE
• ARRIVAL: Free parking is available.

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Christmas on the Farm at Sykes Family Farms

Photo Credit Sykes Family Farms

Discover the magic of the holiday season at Sykes Family Farm, where a captivating 3/4 mile Christmas light show awaits visitors on a festive hayride. Sip on hot apple cider, hot chocolate, or coffee as you meander through a wonderland of twinkling lights. The fun extends beyond the ride, with bounce pads, swings, tube slides, and more, offering endless entertainment. A special highlight is the visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, providing a perfect backdrop for memorable Christmas photos. Evenings at the farm are a cozy affair with a campfire, Christmas movies on the big screen, marshmallow roasting, and ornament decorating, crafting an enchanting holiday experience for all ages.

Photo Credit Sykes Family Farms

• WHEN: November 24, 2023 to December 16, 2023
• TIMES:  Friday’s – 6:00pm – 10:00pm and Saturday’s – 6:00 pm – 10:00pm
• PRICE: Ages 2 and under: FREE /  Ages 3 & up: $16.00 plus tax, / Military and Seniors (65+) with ID: $15.00 plus tax. (link to ticket purchase)
• ARRIVAL: Parking available

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Colors of the Wild: A ZOOLIGHTS LANTERN EXPERIENCE

The Zoo has introduced an enchanting experience with its latest event, “Colors of the Wild,” sponsored by Community First Credit Union. This event showcases a mesmerizing blend of Asian lanterns, representing a fusion of tradition, artistry, and innovation. Visitors can step into a world of wonder where these lanterns come to life as animals and plants, creating a stunning visual feast with over 70 displays spread throughout the Zoo. Each lantern is intricately designed, telling its own story about the importance of conservation and casting a magical glow that illuminates the night in a breathtaking visual presentation, capturing the hearts and minds of all who visit.

• WHEN: Select nights November to February (See site for details)
• TIMES: 5:30 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M.
• PRICE:
• MEMBERS : $20-$25 / NON-MEMBERS $25-$30 / Colors of the Wild Combo Admission $35-$40/ Children (2 and Under) Free
• Purchase a Combo ticket that includes same-day access to the park, arrive between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and stay through the end of Colors of the Wild.
• FOOD: Food and refreshments are available for purchase.
• ARRIVAL: Free parking available

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Lighthouse Illuminations: A Beacon of Holiday Cheer

(St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum)

Embark on a holiday adventure like no other at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. This season, the museum transforms into a festive wonderland under the banner of “Lighthouse Illuminations”Tides, Tidings, & Trees.” The lighthouse invites you to an enchanting evening of history, lights, and holiday spirit.

*For their safety, children must be 44 inches tall to climb the tower and must climb under their own power. Carrying children in the tower is prohibited.

• WHEN: November 22, 2023, to January 13, 2024
• TIMES: 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
• PRICE: Adult Tickets: $24.95 Child Tickets: $22.95  (link to ticket purchase) 
• ARRIVAL: Free parking is available (space is limited)

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Palm Coast Yacht Club Event 2023

(The Palm Coast Yacht Club presents its celebrated annual boat parade.)

The Palm Coast Yacht Club Event is a magnificent maritime festivity, a part of the iconic Nights of Lights, where a variety of boats, ranging from elegant sailboats to robust trawlers and opulent yachts, are embellished with shimmering lights. This event, orchestrated by the Palm Coast Yacht Club, showcases a parade of vessels competing in various categories, including best theme and most colorful, offering a spectacular visual treat along the waterfront. This event not only delights spectators with its visual splendor but also pays tribute to the region’s deep maritime roots and the community’s love for aquatic life. Attendees can witness this maritime spectacle from several spots, including the waterfront seawall or adjacent eateries, making it a memorable part of the holiday celebrations in Palm Coast.

• WHEN: Saturday, December 9th, 2023
• TIME: 6pm
• PRICE: FREE
• ARRIVAL: Limited parking, free Shuttle service recommended at European Village in Palm Coast to Waterfront. (more info)

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Regatta of Lights 2023

(The local Yacht Club hosts the annual Nights of Lights boat parade.)

The Regatta of Lights in St. Augustine is a dazzling maritime celebration, part of the renowned Nights of Lights, where boats of all types, from graceful sailboats to sturdy trawlers and luxurious yachts, are adorned with sparkling lights. Organized by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, this luminous parade features vessels competing in categories like best theme and most colorful, creating a stunning visual display along the bayfront. This event not only provides a spectacular sight for visitors and locals but also honors the city’s rich nautical heritage and the community’s enduring bond with the sea. Spectators can enjoy this nautical extravaganza from various viewpoints, including the bayfront seawall or nearby restaurants, making it a cherished highlight of the holiday festivities in St. Augustine.

• WHEN: Saturday, December 9th, 2023
• TIME: 6pm
• PRICE: FREE
• ARRIVAL: Parking limited downtown, recommend using free Shuttle service.

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Nights of Lights St. Augustine

(A National Top Christmas Destination)

Of course, we couldn’t leave one of Americas top Christmas travel destinations off our list. Step into a world of festive wonder with St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, an event so magnificent that National Geographic has listed it among the top ten holiday light displays in the world. Illuminating the ancient city with over two million white lights, this event, running from November 19 through January 27, transforms St. Augustine into a luminous spectacle, enchanting visitors and locals alike.

Ways to experience Nights of Lights

Ripley’s Red Train Tours: A Festive Ride to Remember

Embark on a magical journey aboard Ripley’s Red Train Tours, where the Nights of Lights come alive in a 30-minute tour starting and ending at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! As you travel through about 20 blocks of the Nation’s Oldest City, the lights twinkle and dance to holiday music, thanks to your complimentary magic glasses. This family-friendly tour is a delightful way to experience the city’s festive charm.

• WHEN:
• PRICE: $65.99 per person (link to ticket purchase)
• ARRIVAL: Parking is available at 19 San Marco in a spacious lot, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking fee is set at $5.00 per hour.

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Red Boat Tours: An amazing experience

Avoid the hassle of searching for parking and walking just to see a limited area of lights. Come aboard the Pellicano with Red Boat Tours for a unique downtown experience! Witness the city lights reflecting on the water, creating a dazzling effect that seems to double their brilliance. Plus, enjoy the added bonus of the bay’s fresh night air enhancing the inviting aromas from some of the East Coast’s finest restaurants.

Please note: 7:30 & 9:15 tours are BYOB – No children under 8 on the 7:30 tour and Adults Only on the 9:15

• WHEN: November 19, 2023 to January 27, 2024
• PRICE: $40 Adults, $12 Child (Blackout dates do apply) (link to ticket purchase)
• ARRIVAL: Free parking is available at Vilano Fishing Pier / Customer Pick Up at the Vilano Fishing Pier

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Navigate the Nights of Lights with Ease: Free St. Augustine’s Park & Ride Shuttle

As one of the top Christmas destinations, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights attracts visitors far and wide, bringing with it a flurry of festive traffic. To fully enjoy the luminous splendor without the stress of navigating through crowded streets, take advantage of the city’s convenient Park & Ride shuttle service.

WHEN: November 19, to January 27, 2024

PRICE: FREE

PARKING DROP OFF LOCATIONS FOR SHUTTLE:

• Broudy’s Lot: Corner of US 1 and W. King, 198 & 212 W. King St.
• St. Johns County Health Department: 200 San Sebastian View (For all November dates and Saturdays in December)
• San Marco Lot: 301 San Marco Ave.

DROP-OFF/ PICK-UP POINT:

• Visitor Information Center, 10 S. Castillo Dr.

There you have it, folks – a jolly journey through the best Christmas light displays around Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and a little beyond! Whether you’re looking for a delightful local stroll or a joyous drive with festive tunes, there’s a twinkling spectacle waiting to add sparkle to your holiday. Merry light-gazing, and may your holiday adventures be as bright as the season