‘Light Up the Night’ Contest Returns With New Awards
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (November 6, 2025) – Old Town Trolley Tours® is bringing back its annual Light Up the Night Contest, which recognizes the immense work it takes to make Florida’s Historic Coast shine. For its 13th year, Light Up the Night features $7,875 in total prizes for the top three businesses with the best lighting displays. There are also three new honorable mention awards: Best Newcomer, Best Bed and Breakfast, and Best Private Residence. Anyone can nominate a business, organization, or private residence, and voting begins Friday, November 21st and continues through Saturday, January 11th.
“I’m especially excited about the Best Private Residence category, as I hope it will inspire strong participation,” says Dave Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours®. “My family has an annual tradition of driving around the county to see the incredible Christmas light displays. It brings back memories of my childhood; now I get to relive that joy with my kids. Some of these residential displays are truly impressive, and we all know how much time and energy it takes to hang up holiday lights! I believe highlighting them is a wonderful way to show St. Johns County residents how much we appreciate them.”
Last year’s contest winners were the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront in First Place, the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel in Second, and Raintree Restaurant in Third. This year’s first place will receive $1,000, a full-page ad in The Clipp Magazine or the Trolley Saver Magazine ($1,800 value), and 100 thirty-second radio commercials on WSOS 103.9 FM ($1,500 value). The second and third-place winners will also receive cash and media packages, recognizing their outstanding displays. All winners will receive a custom trophy to display proudly. The new category winners will receive a trophy and a special gift basket.
Participation in the Light Up the Night Contest is open to everyone, although both residential and business nominees must be located in St. Johns County. Displays should be lit beginning November 15, 2025, and stay lit through January 11, 2026. Lighting display nominations should be emailed to dchatterton@historictours.com and must include a photo along with the resident or business address for consideration. Voting will open on November 21st and continue through January 11th at www.VoteLights.com. The contest is sponsored by Old Town Trolley Tours®, The Clipp Magazine, and WSOS 103.9 FM Radio. It is proudly endorsed and supported by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.
ABOUT OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS®: Old Town Trolley Tours® of St. Augustine is a full-service tour operator that helps visitors make the most of their St. Augustine vacation. The Trolley Tours experience offers hop-on and hop-off transportation, live narrated tours, entry to world-famous attractions, easy access to over 100 points of interest, and more. Part of Historic Tours of America®, Old Town Trolley Tours® operates in nine cities. Photos to accompany this press release may be found here. Learn more at trolleytours.com/st-augustine and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
