In the nation's oldest city at dusk, the lights come to life.

"We've been named by National Geographic as one of the top 10 places in the world to see holiday lights,” claims Amanda Pinkerton, with Old Town Trolley Tours.

Starting before Thanksgiving and wrapping up well after Three Kings Day, Nights of Lights in St. Augustine paints the city in a white glow, just like centuries ago.

"The reason we put up white lights is because St. Augustine was originally a Spanish city, and around the holiday season, the Spanish would put candles in their windows and candle flames are always white.  So that is why we stick with the white lights,” shares Amanda.

While you could stroll for blocks around town beholding the lights, in order to take in all the sights after dark, folks here climb aboard Old Town Trolley Tours.

“You buy your ticket, you wait for the tram, you sing and yell at all the people walking by "Happy New Year," "Merry Christmas,” said Sherry Bonnella.

Be ready -- it gets loud here.

"It's the best time of the year,” the tram driver belts out into his over modulated microphone.  Some drivers enjoy encouraging riders to scream holiday greetings at non-riders.

"Hold on!" screams the tram driver as the 30-minute ride ventures out of the station and onto the streets of St. Augustine.

Here, it’s easier to leave the driving to someone else, as the streets in this city were never designed for vehicle traffic. Old Town Trolley Tours glides past historic landmarks like Casa Monica hotel, the famed St. George Street and The Lightner Museum.

"We've been wanting to do this for a long time and we decided, we're going to do it!,” Sherry proclaimed of the experience.

"I would do it again!” agrees her friend Sherri Ladanyi.

At the end, you'll end up hungry since there are several tram stops. Yet, the most popular one is when folks jump off and grab a cookie and hot cider.

Tram tours run continuously through the evenings on weekends. Since the Night of Lights continues to roll through Feb. 1, 2015, there's time to enjoy the lights even once the fury of the season passes us by.

"I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season,” shouts the tram driver for the final time as the ride ends.

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