ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is entering its final weekend, giving visitors one last opportunity to enjoy the festive holiday display.
The city made adjustments this year after last season’s traffic gridlock issues to improve the experience for both visitors and residents.
David Birchim, city manager of St. Augustine, said, “The event was safer and more enjoyable for our visitors and for our residents. It really went great.”
Despite being the final weekend, crowds are still coming out to see the lights. A local couple from Ponte Vedra shared their experience.
Deb Bernatt, a Ponte Vedra resident, said, “It’s been really, really crowded other years and it’s been crazy. So we thought, since this year, it’s nice, it has nice weather and everything like that, let’s just wait and come down when it’s not so crazy busy.”
Rose and her husband visited from Miami. They have been to St. Augustine before, but not during Christmas. Her friend visited Nights of Lights last weekend and insisted she go.
“I love Christmas, and I love all kinds of lights, you know,” she said. “So that’s why I decide, you now, I told my husband, you know, let’s just give it a try.”
The city acknowledges there is still room for improvement in future years.
David Birchim noted, “Well, we learned a lot of lessons this year. We realized that we have deficiencies in restrooms, for example. We know, have a much better idea of how to manage large crowds of pedestrians, although that’s what we do a lot in St. Augustine. We still saw illegal vendors coming into town during these peak periods that we had a hard time managing.”
Birchim hopes visitors had a good time and that they keep coming back. Rose plans to return at the height of the holiday season.
“During Christmas, I would love to be here to see when they light the tree. I like to bring my son and daughter, you know, as a family,” she said.
For those who haven’t visited yet, the event officially ends on January 11.
Bernatt added, “People go to Europe and they go to all the Christmas markets and things, but we have something here that takes us about a half an hour to get to and that’s awesome.”
Free shuttles are still running this weekend to help visitors get to and from the event. The city’s website has more information, and visitors can also download the Nights of Lights app before they go.