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St. Augustine prepares for 26th annual Nights of Lights

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Thousands of visitors will flock to downtown St. Augustine on Saturday to watch the city light up the night.

It’s the 26th annual Nights of Lights getting ready to light up the city.

On Friday, we noticed ornaments, Christmas trees and strings of lights hanging from above downtown as restaurants and retail businesses got ready for this popular event.

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Meagan and Justin Bigham came from Lynchburg, Virginia to see the lights.

"It brings around the holiday spirit and so it gets you in the mood, the lights are gorgeous the trolley rides are fun," Meagan  Bigham said.

Just like in the past, the city will be offering a free park and ride shuttle from lots located outside downtown.

MORE: Nights of Lights begins this weekend in St. Augustine; What you need to know | Map: Best places to see Christmas lights in the Jacksonville area

Action News Jax reached out to the city and the Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Neither track how much money this event makes each year, but Phil McDaniel, the past chair of the Visitors and Convention Bureau, says its popularity is huge for local businesses.

"We know that for the gage that we use is our bed tax collections, and typically they go up during the holiday season, so we see a very nice economic impact from the community, specifically for restaurants and shopping, retail," McDaniel said.

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Police officers will also be out in full force starting tomorrow in downtown St. Augustine to keep everyone safe during the event.

This tradition is one that keeps bringing Meagan and Justin Bighams back each year.

"You know, the lights are beautiful, St. Augustine’s beautiful, we were actually married here at the Lightner Museum, we just love St. Augustine," Justin Bigham said.

This year, the city is extending Nights of Lights until February 2 to give people an extra weekend to come out and enjoy the lights.

Nights of Lights officially kicks off Saturday with the Light-Up! Night! event at 4 p.m. in front of St. Augustine City Hall.