by Jennifer Heller

Nights of Lights, Downtown St. Augustine

The Plaza de la Constitución goes dark for one long minute on Light-Up Night. Then, all at once, every live oak lining the square blinks on, and the whole downtown grid follows, string by string, rooftop by rooftop, until the oldest city in the country is dressed for the holidays. It happens the same way every year, and it still gets a gasp out of the crowd.

Nights of Lights returns to Historic Downtown St. Augustine on Saturday, November 21, 2026, and runs through Sunday, January 18, 2027.

When it starts

Light-Up Night kicks off around 4 p.m. with live music and performances in front of City Hall, building up to the official lighting ceremony at the Plaza de la Constitución around 6:30 p.m. After that first night, the…

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by Jenn Heller


Having a late November birthday always felt like I got cheated when I was growing up. Without fail, my “special day” ended up doubling as a joint celebration with either my cousin or my dad for their birthdays.  On top of that, it also falls on Thanksgiving every couple of years.  It was like a two-for-one deal I didn’t sign up for. Yes, I know—what a selfish brat. Feel free to roll your eyes; I’ve come to terms with it.

Jenn and Dad celebrating birthday me and Dad celebrating our birthdays in 1990.
Don't I look thrilled?

This year, though? My birthday, my rules. I declared it a "me" day, and my better half (bless his soul) was game for the ride. He survived a marathon of not one but TWO local artisan shops (Atlantic Beach Art Market and Seaside Shoppes), dinner…

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