ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – St. Johns County commissioners unanimously approved an additional $850,000 for St. Augustine’s long-running Nights of Lights holiday event, a decision county and city officials say is intended to help with safety, parking and public restrooms.
The city had originally requested $1 million to cover those costs. City officials say last year’s larger-than-expected crowds and an extra $325,000 in cleanup expenses prompted the request and led city leaders to shorten the 31‑year‑old celebration by eight days.
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Nights of Lights will run this year from Nov. 15 through Jan. 11, 2026.
Residents who live near the downtown event have complained about traffic and safety impacts. “It became almost impossible to go in and out of my home, which my street is parallel to the river. So it’s really a safety hazard,” said Marta Han, a St. Augustine resident. “Any kind of assistance to alleviate this and still bring tourists to the town and the county is essential.”
At the meeting, the city manager told county commissioners that $650,000 of the additional funding being requested would be a one‑time (non‑recurring) expense and that the city does not expect to ask the county for more than $200,000 next year.