‘Christmas through the decades’

John Metzinger, left, and Leon Nichols of the Fernandina Pirate Club fire the cannon from the bow of the Amelia’s Revenge pirate ship during the Ocala Christmas Parade in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

Once again, scores of people in marching units, numerous gaily decorated floats, mounted riders and hundreds of motorized entries combined to make the Ocala Christmas Parade one of the largest nighttime parades in the country.

More than 125 parade units took part, including elected officials, military units, business and civic groups, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event is organized by the Friends of the Ocala Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was “Christmas Through the Decades” and the grand marshal was Bernadette Castro.

The parade, which stepped off at 5:30 p.m. from the McPherson Government Complex, traveled west on Silver Springs Boulevard and ended at Tuscawilla Park after passing by thousands of spectators along the route. In partnership with Marion County Public Schools, the parade was broadcast live on the MCSP YouTube channel at youtube.com/marioncountyk12.

Winners selected by a team of judges were:

Best of Show – Next Dimensions Roofing

Commercial division

1st place – Stokes Electric

2nd place – Ocala Electric Utilities

3rd place – A & L Tree service

Youth division

1st place – Marion Technical College

2nd place – Florida Twirling

3rd place – Cub Scout pack Troop 692 Troop 9692

Nonprofit division

1st place – The Rock Program

2nd place – Leading the way 4-H

3rd place – Girl scouts of America

Bands

1st place – Howard Middle School

2nd place – West Port High School

3rd place – Lake Weir High School

For more information, go to ocalachristmasparade.org

Ocala Christmas Parade

22 photos