Florida has free Christmas light displays from the Panhandle to Southwest Florida. The longest runs here are St. Augustine's Nights of Lights, nightly Nov 21 to Jan 18, and Havana's drive through show, nightly from Thanksgiving to Jan 1. Every pick below is confirmed on the organizer's own page, and free means the organizer says so; food, rides and some extras may cost extra.
In this guide 9 sections
Nights of Lights at Baytowne Wharf
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Baytowne Wharf lists Nights of Lights on the Events Plaza Lawn from Dec 1 through Dec 31, with times listed as 6, 7 and 8 p.m. The page marks it free.
The Allison Christmas Spectacular
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A light show with music, held as a drive through experience at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm, 2867 Florida Georgia Hwy. It runs 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, rain or shine, and the organizer says no tickets exist or are required.
Dorothy B. Oven Park Holiday Lights
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The City of Tallahassee's light display at 3205 Thomasville Road premieres Thanksgiving evening and runs nightly through New Year's Day, weather permitting. It is open 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30 to 11 p.m. on weekends. The city says both Elf Night and the holiday light display are free and open to the public.
Insider note — Elf Night is Sunday, Dec 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with a ticket number given at check in on the front lawn. Parking that night is next door at Thomasville Road Baptist Church.
St. Augustine Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights runs nightly through historic downtown from Saturday, Nov 21 to Monday, Jan 18, 2027, starting at the holiday tree in Plaza de la Constitución. Florida's Historic Coast calls it a dazzling, free way to welcome the new year.
Insider note — The city lists free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car on select days, starting on Light Up Night, Nov 21.
A Merry Winter Garden Light Show
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A 25 minute animated light show is projected onto the front of Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W. Plant Street, and plays on a continuous loop synced to holiday music. It runs 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27, with free admission.
Insider note — Light Up Winter Garden, the 39th annual, is Dec 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. with the lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Downtown streets are closed for the event.
Light Up the Holidays
The City of Altamonte Springs and Duke Energy host an evening at Cranes Roost Park with park light displays, a fireworks show, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music and dancing, an ice skating rink and kids' activities. The city says admission is free.
Insider note — Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Holiday Lights in Largo Central Park
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The City of Largo lists holiday lights in Largo Central Park from Nov 26, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, 5 to 10 p.m., and says it is free to park and walk to view the lights.
Insider note — Amusement rides require tickets, and parking is paid on Dec 5 for the Holiday Tree Lighting and Stroll event.
Winter Nights Under the Lights
Palma Sola Botanical Park hosts an evening holiday light event Thursday through Sunday with light displays, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, a gift market, hot cider, live holiday music, decorated trees, crafts and a Toys for Tots collection. The park lists free admission.
Holiday Festival of Lights at Fishermen's Village
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Fishermen's Village lists daily viewing of more than one million lights and themed decorations inside and outside the village at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade. The event page is labeled Free events and Free parking.
Insider note — The page does not list viewing hours. Shop hours are listed separately.
Good to know
Is there a free drive through Christmas light show in Florida in 2026?
The Allison Christmas Spectacular in Havana is a drive through light show with music at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm, nightly from Thanksgiving to Jan 1, 6 to 10 p.m. The organizer says no tickets exist or are required.
Which free Florida light displays run the longest?
St. Augustine's Nights of Lights runs nightly from Nov 21 to Jan 18, 2027. Tallahassee's Oven Park display runs nightly Nov 26 to New Year's Day, and Havana's runs Thanksgiving to Jan 1.
Are the free light displays really free to enter?
Each pick is one the organizer states is free. Food, rides and some extras can cost money, for example Largo lists amusement rides as ticketed and paid parking on Dec 5, and Altamonte Springs lists food and beverages for purchase.
What are free light shows in Central Florida for 2026?
A Merry Winter Garden Light Show runs on 11 listed nights from Dec 4 to Dec 27 with free admission. Altamonte Springs lists free admission for Light Up the Holidays on Dec 5.
Is there anything free to see on the Panhandle or in Southwest Florida?
Baytowne Wharf in Miramar Beach lists Nights of Lights from Dec 1 to Dec 31 as free. Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda lists more than one million lights from Nov 15 to Dec 31 under free events.
Keep exploring
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