OCALA, Fla. — The City of Ocala will kick off the holiday season with its annual Light Up Ocala celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21, bringing live entertainment, holiday activities and more than 100 vendors to historic downtown Ocala.
The free, family-friendly event will run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the official lighting ceremony scheduled for approximately 6 p.m. on the Downtown Square.
Holiday entertainment throughout downtown Ocala
The Junior Sunshine Parade will begin at 3 p.m. at South Magnolia Avenue and East Fort King Street. Led by the Ocala Police Department Mounted Unit, the parade will travel through downtown and feature local dance studios, Girl Scout troops and Santa Claus.
Stage One on the Downtown Square will feature performances from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., including live music by Audio Exchange and the 6 p.m. lighting ceremony. Visitors can also find holiday tree photo opportunities and a photo booth.
Stage Two at Citizens’ Circle will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with local dance and performance groups and scheduled meet-and-greets with Claus, Mrs. Claus and the Living Angels.
The Midtown Street Party will run from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a live DJ, an acrobatic variety show and jump rope performances.
Additional attractions include a Punch and Judy Puppet Show at Fort King Street and Magnolia Avenue and a Kids’ Zone at Parking Lot Five near Northeast First Street and North Magnolia Avenue.
Free shuttles and parking for Light Up Ocala
The City of Ocala will provide free shuttle service from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. from four parking locations.
ADA-accessible shuttles will run every 20 minutes from Marion Technical Institute at 1614 SE Fort King St. and E.D. Croskey Recreation Center at 1510 NW Fourth St.
Shuttles will also run every 10 minutes from Ocala Skate Park at 517 NE Ninth St. and the Discovery Center at 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Visitors can also use two downtown parking garages. Parking Garage One will allow entry and exit only from East Fort King Street. Parking Garage Two will allow entry from Southwest Second Avenue and exit onto Southwest Third Avenue.
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