St. Augustine Big Night Nov. 22nd - Lights go On !!!

Light-up Night! set for November 22! Come join the festivities! A great way to start the holiday seasons!

Start of 15th annual Nights of Lights, Saturday, November 22nd at 6:30 PM.

When the Nights of Lights begins its 15th year on Saturday, November 22, it will continue what has become an evening of traditions in this city of age-old traditions, especially for what has come to be called Light-Up Night!

The city’s historic Plaza de la Constitución is the setting for all the Light-Up Night! ceremonies including the dramatic “flipping of the switch” to kick off the 10-week long Nights of Lights.

The festivities begin at 4:00pm with a spirited holiday performance by Showtime USA. The high energy, fun filled singing and dancing troupe will perform under the King’s Balcony of Government House at the west end of the Plaza.

Then at 5:30pm, the All Star Orchestra returns for an encore performance after an outstanding performance last year. The popular 20-piece band, performing from the Gazebo, will fill the Plaza with great swing music and big band sounds all in grand holiday style.

Light-Up! begins at 6:30pm when St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles opens the ceremonies from the King’s Balcony at Government House followed by the flipping of the switch from the Gazebo, first for the city’s tree and then to light the city.

In keeping with Nights of Lights tradition, the thousands gathered in the Plaza will be asked for their assistance in the lighting. With onlookers of all ages eagerly waiting, the countdown begins: ';10…9…8….'; Then, as all eyes turn towards the ancient oak canopy over the Plaza and the fanciful spires of the City’s skyline, the moment arrives: ';3…2…1!'; Light-Up!

Instantly, over two million white lights fill St. Augustine%26#39;s every corner with brilliant and magical holiday sparkle, transforming the Nation%26#39;s Oldest City into an enchanted city of light. Once the lights are on, it’s time to enjoy downtown St. Augustine. With its narrow Old World streets filled with the glow of holiday lights, there is no better opportunity to stroll casually, stopping for dinner or dessert and of course some shopping.

Streets in the vicinity of the Plaza will be closed as needed to accommodate pedestrian traffic. Vehicular traffic throughout downtown will be very congested after 5:00pm and throughout the early evening.

The City of St. Augustine manages the installation and maintenance of displays at over 100 locations for the Nights of Lights, including buildings, parks, medians and gardens throughout the city, but much credit for the continued success of the Nights of Lights goes to area businesses and residents who voluntarily and at their own expense participate in the event. Because they join in, the city truly becomes a city of light.

Don%26#39;t miss this wonderful lighting ceremony !

St. Augustine Big Night Nov. 22nd - Lights go On !!!

Thanks LN for that wonderful info. I was down there last year for the lighting ceremony don%26#39;t know i will be coming to downtown this year though. It was fun last year.

St. Augustine Big Night Nov. 22nd - Lights go On !!!

Thanks LN; hope it is not as cold this year as last year for the lighting! Good party town that night! Looking forward to it! Great fun for all ages!

Yeah, I think there was a little too much %26#39;Speechifying%26#39; last year...

There sure was, Capn. The mayor was a little too ';full of hisself!'; I was waiting for that balcony on the side of Government House to crumble and fall off (they say that building needs a lot of work) with all those past mayors on there!!! So heavy with themselves it twere!

Don%26#39;t forget this big night this weekend. Bring your warm clothes.............your scarves and woolies, it is another cold lighting for sure. Get yourself in the holiday spirit by joining us for the weekend. It is soooooooo festive!

AND Winter Wonderland opens Friday Night - see separate post on the events there. Lots going on this weekend! Come on over and Enjoy !!

And the county Fair is still going on, so you can get your fill of Deep Fried Twinkies and Oreos....