November

Local Residents Ride Free

Spend the holiday season with friends and family exploring all that St. Augustine has to offer! St. Johns County residents can enjoy the Old Town Trolley tour for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass.

Go to Hometown Pass for more information.

Great Chowder Debate

The Annual Great Chowder Debate features over 30 local St. Augustine restaurants competing for “Best Chowder” bragging rights in five different chowder categories: Minorcan Conch Chowder, Minorcan Clam Chowder, New England Clam Chowder, Seafood Chowder, and Non-Seafood Chowder. This event is hosted by The Conch House Marina Resort and proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County. Tickets for tastes of chowder will be sold for $1 each. Patrons are welcomed to vote on their favorite chowders to decide which wins the “People’s Choice” award. Beverages including beer, soda, tea, and water will also be available for purchase during this event.

Castillo de San Marcos Free Admission for Veterans on Veterans Day

The Castillo de San Marcos offers free admission November 11, 2018, in honor of Veterans Day. The Castillo is open from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be informal activities commemorating Veterans Day from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Old Town Trolley Tours Free Admission for Veterans on Veterans Day

All Veterans ride free on Old Town Trolley and receive free admission to the Old Jail, Oldest Store Museum Experience, Potter’s Wax Museum and the St. Augustine History Museum. Patriot Service Dogs will be visiting the property of the Old Jail. Each Veterans Day, HTA donates $1 from each trolley ticket sold from all seven (7) of their cities to Patriot Service Dogs. The money donated to Patriot Service Dogs allows us to sponsor dogs to go to a Veteran in need.

Lighting Ceremony for Nights of Lights

The City of St. Augustine kicks off its 2018-2019 Nights of Lights season with a lighting ceremony. The Nights of Lights Lighting Ceremony, also known as Light Up! Night, takes place on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Locals and vacationers from all over join together to watch the City of St. Augustine flip the switch on three million white lights decorating the Plaza and buildings all over historic downtown.
This has been a popular annual tradition in St. Augustine for over 20 years and is all the more festive now that the Nights of Lights has garnered worldwide attention as a top destination to see holiday lights. This award-winning holiday lights display runs from November 17, 2018 to January 31, 2019 in historic St. Augustine. During Nights of Lights, businesses downtown stay open later, letting you dine in view of the lights and shop amongst the lit buildings. The trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas of Nights of Lights.

Old Town Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour

Experience St. Augustine’s 25th Annual Nights of Lights in the cozy comfort of Old Town Trolley Tours. Guests of all ages will delight as St. Augustine’s historic district is transformed into a winter wonderland with more than three million white lights. The 30-minute tour runs nightly from 6-9p.m., including Christmas night, and departs from the Visitor Information Center. Guests will receive complimentary hot apple cider, homemade cookies and magical viewing glasses handcrafted by Santa’s elves exclusively for our guests. These amazing glasses will enhance St. Augustine’s award-winning light display to twinkle and shine even brighter. New this year, ask about Old Town Trolley’s Fast Track Pass. Spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights. The Fast Track Pass allows guests to pre-select a reserved boarding time and access a separate line with a shorter wait time. Click here for more information.