The Charming City In Florida Where You Can Still Experience An Old-Fashioned Christmas
St. Augustine, Florida, transforms into a magical old-fashioned Christmas wonderland during the Nights of Lights event from mid-November through January.
Every year, the city of St. Augustine, Florida, goes all out in terms of holiday decor. This charming spot, which also is said to be the oldest city in the country, is a must-visit travel spot when Christmas starts rolling around. With the event dubbed Nights of Lights, St. Augustine turns into the perfect place to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas. Complete with horse-drawn carriage rides and everything! Let's take a look at some of the best Christmas lights in Florida.
From mid-November through the end of January, St. Augustine turns into an old-fashioned Christmas wonderland known as Nights of Lights.
Free of charge in the Nation’s Oldest City, visitors will be able to enjoy a most magical atmosphere with lights draped all over the Spanish architecture and palm trees.
But what’s more is that beyond just strolling the streets and enjoying the holiday festivities, there are other events and activities you can enjoy. Grab some cocoa from a local restaurant or take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Different historical buildings throughout the city will offer tours, too, on an individual basis. For instance, you can tour the Lightner Museum or the Lighthouse for even more fun.
Enjoy a tour of the Nights of Lights event in St. Augustine, FL in this video from BeyondTheThemePark:
Have you ever been to St. Augustine, Florida, during Christmastime? Was it as magical as you imagined? We'd love to hear from you in the comments section! You can even take a Nights of Lights guided tour on an Old Town Trolley to enjoy the best Christmas lights in Florida!
If you want to learn more about Nights of Lights in St. Augustine for this year, then check out the Visit St. Augustine Tourism page.
With the holidays fast approaching, it's time to start planning for a few festive events for the whole family to enjoy. One of the coolest ways to spend Christmas in Florida takes place on one of racing's biggest stages — Daytona International Speedway. Gather your friends and family and pile into your car to experience the unforgettable Daytona International Speedway lights.
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Back for another festive year, Daytona International Speedway will transform into a magical holiday wonderland for the Magic of Lights display. Beginning November 22nd and running until January 4th, 2025, guests will be able to drive through the acclaimed track and enjoy millions of holiday decorations, lights, and magic.
Daytona International Speedway is home to some of the biggest sporting events in the world and this is a last hurrah to these seats. These seats have witnessed history, and will be removed this year to give way to the Daytona “Rising Project”.
Open every day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of holiday hours, visitors can use their own vehicle to drive through the display slowly, enjoying all the beauty of the holidays. Even if you’ve participated in this event years prior, there are always new things to see and experience that will make the adventure worthwhile. This may be one of our favorite ways to spend Christmas in Florida.
Take selfies in the holiday tunnel, plus indulge in some refreshments and snacks along the route. With a long list of displays featured, plus millions of lights, you’ll enjoy quite the holiday route. Magic of Lights Daytona Speedway is sure to leave you impressed. Ticket prices range per vehicle, but they are in the ballpark of $30-$35 for a standard vehicle, or $50-$55 for a limo/bus. Prices will vary depending on the day you visit.
This is a photo of the Panepistimiou avenue in the center of Athens, during Christmas when it is decorated with loads of Christmas lights.
Enjoy the beauty of millions of lights as they dance and dazzle along Daytona International Speedway. Is there any better way to spend Christmas in Florida?
For more information about Christmas at Daytona Speedway, visit the Magic of Lights Daytona Speedway website or the Magic of Lights Facebook page. You can purchase tickets directly through the website. We recommend you take a look at all ticket options as some may be better suited for your party.
Have you been to Magic of Lights in Florida before? What do you think are the best Christmas lights in Florida? Let us know in the comments. For even more holiday magic, tackle this Christmas light road trip in Florida. Just don't forget the best road trip snacks!
It can be such a drag every year to search for "where to watch fireworks near me" for July 4th and not have a game plan. If you're anything like me, you want to know in advance where you're going for fireworks and exactly what to expect in terms of cost, parking, etc. That's why we've curated a list of some of the best Fourth of July Fireworks in Florida for 2024. While Florida has a ton of Independence Day celebrations worth indulging in, we've created a list of the best of the best so that you can start making your plans today.
Join the fun on Wednesday, July 3, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the University of Florida Bandshell at Flavet Field, located at 605 Woodlawn Dr., Gainesville, FL 32603. Bring a chair or spread out a blanket and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere while enjoying tons of delicious options from multiple food trucks on site. The highlight of the evening, a spectacular fireworks display, will begin at approximately 9:40 p.m.
St. Augustine
Celebrate America's birthday on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at St. Augustine's "Fireworks Over the Matanzas" from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución. Enjoy a two-hour live concert by the All-Star Orchestra, starting at 6:00 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. over the historic bayfront and Castillo de San Marcos. This event features 5,000 fireworks shells, making it one of the East Coast's best displays.
Join the Star Spangled Summer Concert Series featuring Alter Eagles: A Tribute to The Eagles on July 4, 2024, at the Daytona Beach Bandshell, located at 70 Boardwalk Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Presented by Friends of the Bandshell, this free concert begins at 7:15 PM. Enjoy the historic Coquina Amphitheater's sights and sounds, rent a chair, grab a drink, and take in the show. The evening includes a free Daytona Beach fireworks display at 9:45 PM. VIP tickets are available for $15.
Enjoy Red, White + Kaboom in Lakeland on July 3, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Lake Mirror in Downtown Lakeland. The T.Mims Corp. hosts this 4th of July celebration featuring live music at the Frances Langford Promenade, and a breathtaking fireworks display at 9 p.m. Don't miss Lakeland's premier Independence Day event!
Clearwater Beach
Celebrate Independence Day at Coachman Park in Clearwater Harbor with festivities starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy local vendors, food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music, and buskers throughout the park. The BayCare Sound Symphony offers a free patriotic performance with first-come, first-served seating. At 9:30 p.m., a spectacular fireworks display will light up the sky, followed by an immersive silent disco party on the Coachman Park Promenade Pier until 11 p.m.
The City of Coral Gables and The Biltmore Hotel invite the community to the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Thursday, July 4, at the historic Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. The golf course grounds open at 5 p.m. with a pre-show concert by Navy Band Southeast, followed by a concert featuring the Greater Miami Symphonic Band and Navy Band Southeast at 7 p.m. At 9 p.m., enjoy the famous fireworks show celebrating our Nation’s Independence Day.
Boca Raton
Since 1958, Boca Raton's Fourth of July fireworks display has evolved from its beginnings at Memorial Park to its current location at Countess de Hoernle Park. The Fabulous Fourth celebration has grown over 65 years into a vibrant community event. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors, with activities throughout the day, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show at 9:10 p.m. This annual tradition continues this year on July 4th, 2024.
Come rain or shine, Red Hot & Boom returns to Altamonte Springs to celebrate the Fourth of July. Anticipating over 150,000 attendees, the event takes place on Wednesday, July 3, at Cranes Roost Park. Alongside a spectacular 25-minute fireworks display at 9:30 p.m., enjoy live music from five bands, including Blue Stone Circle, No Lonely Hearts, Relic, Voodoo Moonshine, and The Intracoastals. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m., promising a lively buildup to the nighttime sky ablaze with over 14,000 fireworks.
Winter Haven
Join the annual Rockin’ Freedom Fest on July 3, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, delicious food from food trucks, a thrilling water ski show by the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, and a spectacular fireworks display. This free event promises fun for the whole family!
Want to get the right gear to make your July 4th celebrations special? Check our REI.com for all the best coolers, chairs, and more!
