Light Up Ocala returns Nov. 22
The event will include a lighting ceremony, entertainment and the Junior Sunshine Parade.
Kaehla Lopez gets lifted up by her father, Jose Lopez, during Light Up Ocala in 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
The annual Light Up Ocala event is often regarded as the signature kick-off for the holiday season. Throngs of people will fill the streets all around downtown Ocala on Nov. 22 for festivities that include the anticipated “flipping of the switch” to illuminate thousands of glittering lights.
The event will run from 3 to 8 p.m. It will feature live entertainment, family activities, more than 100 vendors and the official lighting ceremony, which will take place at approximately 6 p.m.
At stage one on the downtown square, between Southeast Broadway Street and Magnolia Avenue, entertainment will be provided by Audio Exchange. At stage two, Citizens’ Circle between Fort King Street and Osceola Avenue, there will be a community showcase with local dance and performance groups and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
A midtown street party will take place between Northeast First Street and First Avenue, with a DJ, acrobatic variety show and jump rope performances.
Other attractions will include the Punch and Judy Puppet Show on the corner of Fort King Street and Magnolia Avenue, The Living Angels at Citizens’ Circle and a Kids’ Zone at Parking Lot 5 near Northeast First Street and North Magnolia Avenue.
The Junior Sunshine Parade will begin at 3 p.m. at the corner of South Magnolia Avenue and East Fort King Street. The parade will travel through downtown and feature local dance studios, Girl Scout troops and Santa. The Ocala Police Department Mounted Unit will lead the procession.
Free shuttle service will be available between 2 and 9 p.m. at:
- Marion Technical Institute (1614 SE Fort King St.) – The shuttle drops off between SE Watula Avenue and SE Third Street and runs every 20 minutes and is ADA accessible.
- E.D. Croskey Recreation Center (1510 NW Fourth St.) – The shuttle drops off between N. Magnolia Avenue and NE Second Street and runs every 20 minutes and is ADA accessible.
- Ocala Skate Park (517 NE Ninth St.) – The shuttle drops off between NE Watula Avenue and State Road 40 and runs every 10 minutes.
- Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Ave.) – The shuttle drops off between NE Watula Avenue and State Road 40 and runs every 10 minutes.
For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/lightup or call (352) 368-5517.
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