Light Up Ocala
Light Up Ocala brings holiday festivities to the city with more than 100 vendors offering crafts, art, and food options. Visitors can enjoy live holiday entertainment across community stages and an interactive kids' zone. The Junior Sunshine holiday parade showcases school bands, dance groups, and Santa, culminating in the lighting of downtown.
What to Expect
Holiday celebration featuring a parade, live entertainment, and downtown lighting.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Ocala
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department
Food & Drink
More than 100 vendors offer food options.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free for the public.
- Hours: 3 - 8 p.m.; lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m.
- Parking: Free shuttle service is listed from four parking locations, operating 2–9 p.m. Marion Technical Institute and E.D. Croskey Recreation Center shuttles run every 20 minutes and are ADA accessible; Ocala Skate Park and Discovery Center shuttles run every 10 minutes. Drop-off locations are also specified.
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible shuttle service is provided from Marion Technical Institute and E.D. Croskey Recreation Center.
Tips & Advice
- Park at one of the four shuttle lots and ride the free shuttle downtown. Use Marion Technical Institute or E.D. Croskey if you need an ADA-accessible shuttle.
- If you're driving downtown, try the new Parking Garage No. 2, which has entrances from SW Second Avenue and SW Third Avenue.
- Stay for the Junior Sunshine Parade, because it leads straight into the lighting ceremony that closes out the celebration downtown.
- Come hungry, since more than 100 vendors are on hand with plenty of food options alongside crafts and art.
- Holiday-themed choirs, dance teams and ensembles can apply for the community showcase, but parade and vendor applications are already closed for 2026.
Special Events & Promotions
- 2026 marks the 42nd anniversary of Light Up Ocala.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good for kids?
Yes. There's an interactive kids' zone, a Punch and Judy puppet show, and the Junior Sunshine Parade with a special appearance by Santa.
Where should I park?
Free shuttles run downtown from Marion Technical Institute, E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, Ocala Skate Park and the Discovery Center. The new downtown Parking Garage No. 2 is also open, with entrances from SW Second Avenue and SW Third Avenue.
What's in the parade?
The Junior Sunshine Parade has school bands, dance studios, Scouts and more, plus Santa. It winds through downtown and leads up to the holiday lighting ceremony.
What's on the Citizens' Circle stage?
Stage two at Citizens' Circle has the Midtown Street Party, the Punch and Judy Puppet Show, Living Angel and the Kids' Zone. It also hosts the community showcase of holiday-themed performance groups.
Can my group perform?
Community showcase applications are open to choirs, choral groups, dance teams, and acoustic or classical ensembles. Performances must be holiday-themed, and each group gets about 15 minutes. Large groups can split up and request more than one slot. Parade and vendor applications are closed for 2026.
More Christmas Events Near Ocala
More Christmas Events near Ocala
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.