Celebrate Christmas in St. Augustine, Florida, and discover the Catholic, Spanish, and historic heritage of the oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the continental United States on this special three- or four-day journey.
Founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine preserves one of the foundational chapters in the history of Christianity in America. At Mission Nombre de Dios, the first Spanish settlers gave thanks to God upon their arrival. Today, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche remains one of the most treasured Marian pilgrimage sites in the United States.
This Christmas Special combines prayer, history, and fellowship with visits to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, the historic St. Benedict the Moor School, and the Castillo de San Marcos, the great Spanish fortress overlooking Matanzas Bay.
The journey takes on a truly unforgettable character after sunset, when St. Augustine is transformed by its celebrated Nights of Lights. Millions of white lights illuminate the city’s plazas, churches, balconies, trees, and historic buildings, creating one of America’s most beautiful Christmas displays. Pilgrims will have time to walk through the illuminated historic district and, depending on the selected program, may also experience the lights by trolley or boat.
This special journey offers opportunities for prayer, the celebration of Holy Mass, reflection, fellowship, and a deeper understanding of the Catholic and Spanish roots of St. Augustine—all within the joyful atmosphere of the Christmas season.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the continental United States
- National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios
- Celebration of Holy Mass and time for personal and group prayer
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
- Historic St. Benedict the Moor School
- Castillo de San Marcos, the monumental 17th-century Spanish fortress
- Plaza de la Constitución and St. George Street
- Flagler College and the Lightner Museum
- St. Augustine’s Spanish colonial and Catholic heritage
- The spectacular Nights of Lights Christmas illumination
- Millions of lights throughout the historic district
- Optional Nights of Lights trolley or boat experience, according to the selected program
- Optional visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, according to the selected program
- Time for fellowship, reflection, shopping, and independent exploration
3 Days / 2 Nights Christmas Special
Day 1. Point of Origin – St. Augustine – First Visits and Nights of Lights
Early departure from the parish or the group’s confirmed meeting point for St. Augustine. After approximately four hours on the road and a comfort stop, arrival around midday with free time for lunch in the historic district.
In the afternoon, visit the Castillo de San Marcos, the impressive 17th-century Spanish fortress that still dominates the city’s waterfront and preserves the memory of Florida’s colonial past.
After hotel check-in, experience the magic of the Nights of Lights. Millions of white lights illuminate the historic district, its plazas, churches, trees, balconies, and waterfront, transforming St. Augustine into an extraordinary Christmas setting.
Group dinner. Overnight in St. Augustine.
Day 2. Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – St. Benedict the Moor School – Cathedral Basilica – Nights of Lights
After breakfast, begin the day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, located at the historic Mission Nombre de Dios. Here we will celebrate Holy Mass and enjoy time for prayer in this sacred place connected with the beginnings of Catholic parish life in St. Augustine.
Continue to the historic St. Benedict the Moor School, founded to provide Catholic education to Black children during segregation. The site offers a moving witness to the Church’s work in education and human dignity.
After lunch, visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, the spiritual heart of the local Catholic community and one of Florida’s most important Catholic landmarks. Time will be provided for the visit and personal prayer.
Later, enjoy free time and another opportunity to walk through the illuminated historic district, admire the Nights of Lights, and experience the city’s joyful Christmas atmosphere before dinner.
Overnight in St. Augustine.
Day 3. Historic St. Augustine – Return to Point of Origin
After breakfast and hotel check-out, enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic center, including the Plaza de la Constitución, St. George Street, and the exteriors of Flagler College and the Lightner Museum.
After this final introduction to the history and beauty of St. Augustine, depart for the group’s point of origin, arriving in the afternoon.
Conclusion of our Christmas pilgrimage and services.
4 Days / 3 Nights Christmas Special
Day 1. Point of Origin – St. Augustine
Morning departure from the parish or the group’s confirmed meeting point for St. Augustine. Arrival with time to settle into the hotel and enjoy a first walk through the historic streets as the city’s Christmas lights begin to glow.
Overnight in St. Augustine.
Day 2. Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – Holy Mass – Spiritual Retreat – Nights of Lights
Devote the morning to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios. Celebrate Holy Mass and enjoy a period of spiritual retreat and prayer in the shrine’s peaceful grounds near the Great Cross.
Continue to the historic St. Benedict the Moor School, founded to provide Catholic education to Black children during segregation and a meaningful symbol of Christian service, justice, and human dignity.
At nightfall, experience the Nights of Lights, when millions of white lights transform the entire historic district into one of America’s most beautiful Christmas displays. Depending on the group’s selected arrangements, an optional trolley or boat tour may offer a memorable new perspective on the illuminated city.
Overnight in St. Augustine.
Day 3. Cathedral Basilica – Castillo de San Marcos – Historic District – Nights of Lights
In the morning, visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, with the possibility of celebrating Holy Mass or attending a scheduled parish Mass, subject to availability and confirmation.
In the afternoon, visit the Castillo de San Marcos. Continue with free time to discover the museums, shops, cafés, and historic streets of central St. Augustine.
The evening will remain free to walk beneath the lights, return to favorite corners of the historic district, and enjoy the city’s festive Christmas atmosphere.
Overnight in St. Augustine.
Day 4. St. Augustine – Return to Point of Origin
Before departure, there may be an optional visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and its surroundings, offering a final opportunity for a group photograph beside the Atlantic.
Return to the group’s point of origin in the afternoon, concluding several memorable days of faith, history, Christmas beauty, and fellowship.
Conclusion of our Christmas pilgrimage and services.
- Round-trip private motorcoach transportation from the group’s confirmed point of departure in Florida
- Two or three nights’ accommodation in St. Augustine, according to the selected program
- Meals as indicated in the final itinerary
- Visits and entrance fees according to the confirmed program
- Professional English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, or bilingual tour escort or guide, according to the group’s needs and final arrangements
- Local guides where required
- Arrangements for the celebration of Holy Mass, subject to church or shrine availability and confirmation
- Time for prayer or a spiritual retreat at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, according to the selected program
- Opportunities to experience St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights throughout the Christmas Special
- Personal audio headset system during guided visits, where applicable
- Hotel and local tourism taxes
- Basic travel assistance insurance included as part of our company policy; coverage applies exclusively to the circumstances, conditions, limits, and exclusions expressly specified in the applicable insurance policy
- Access to our customer support team for assistance throughout the pilgrimage
- Personalized certificate commemorating each traveler’s Christmas pilgrimage to historic St. Augustine
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