Family-friendly event offers free admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum after hours
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a family-friendly tradition during St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights celebration. On the evening of Wednesday, December 6th, the Lighthouse grounds will open for an evening celebration that will delight both young and old. This popular event is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get a taste of the holidays, St. Augustine style. The event takes place from 6 PM to 9 PM.
The Keepers’ House illuminated with white lights and luminaries.
“We love hosting all of our neighbors, Museum members and holiday tourists for this event and I know it’s my favorite time of year to deck the halls at the Lighthouse,” says Darlene Humphreys, head decorator for the event. She continues, “And, of course, what holiday event is complete without Santa Claus? Kids of all ages can visit Santa while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum goes all out for Luminary Night, offering children’s activities and holiday crafts, yuletide refreshments and live music, including a string quartet inside the Lighthouse tower and the St. Augustine High School choir led by Mr. Jeff Dodd. Guests also get a close-up look at the Lighthouse’s spectacular holiday decorations and lighting displays. Nautical ornaments are donated by people from all over the country to grace the centerpiece Christmas tree set up in the Keepers’ House, with at least ten other decorated trees dotting the property. Guests will be able to visit the Museum’s newest additions: Legends of the Light exhibition; and the Maritime Archaeology & Education Center with special viewing spaces of the archaeology conservation lab.
Aerial view of the Light Station during the event. This year, the event will extend into the Museum’s new Maritime Heritage Park area which in this photo, is to the left.
As a finale to the evening, guests can climb the Lighthouse tower to see St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights from the top – it’s a spectacular view!
Quartet performing at the base of the Lighthouse stairs.
In the spirit of giving, the event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item which will be donated to a local food pantry. Throughout the event, holiday-themed refreshments will be available for purchase. All monetary proceeds go directly back to the Museum to continue the work of the Museum’s mission.
###