Music, parades and more fill 2025 holiday guide in Ocala and Marion

Here’s a look at the Ocala/Marion County holiday entertainment schedule:

Light Up Ocala

This annual festival will be 3-8 p.m. Nov. 22 in downtown Ocala. Food, vendors, entertainment, the Junior Sunshine Holiday Parade and, at the end, the lighting up of the downtown square.

More at https://www.ocalafl.gov/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/events/light-up-ocala

Handel’s ‘Messiah’

This performance will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 on the AdventHealth Mainstage at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets from $10. “Experience the timeless beauty of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with the Ocala Symphony Chorus,” organizers say. More at reillyartscenter.com

World Equestrian Center’s Winter Wonderland

This holiday tradition will run Nov. 28-Dec. 23, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 5 to 9 p.m. Santa Claus and the Grinch, holiday decorations and more than 1 million twinkling lights. There will be holiday entertainment, plus festive food and drink on Fridays and Saturdays and Dec. 21-23.

Note: There is a new, per-person ticketed admission system this year. Tickets are required for plaza entry Wednesday through Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. General and accessible parking is complimentary for all attendees, with an option to purchase VIP parking.

Ticket pricing:

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays: $5 per person (in advance) and $7 per person (day of). Children ages 4 and younger are free.

Fridays and Saturdays (and Dec. 21 to 23): $10 per person (in advance) and $12 per person (day of). Children ages 4 and younger are free.

Learn more, and a find a place to buy tickets in advance, visit wecwinterwonderland.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/WECOcalaResort/

Symphony Under the Lights

This annual free concert, sponsored by Jenkins Auto Group, will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 on the outdoor stage at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. “The Ocala Symphony and members of the Ocala Youth Symphony bring this joyful annual free concert to the community under the incredible oaks of Tuscawilla Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy!” organizers say. More at reillyartscenter.com

St. John Nights of Lights

For the second consecutive year, St. John will present its Nights of Lights on campus at 1915 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala. Light displays, music/light shows, Santa, food and crafts for purchase and more. Free event. The Nights of Lights will be open 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 18-23, and 25-27. Contact the church office for more information.

Pops! Goes the Holidays

This holiday tradition, including performances and a sing-along, will be staged three times at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. The times and dates are 7:30 p.m. Dec 6 and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. More at Reillyartscenter.com

Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS) Holiday Home Tour

This festive walk through southeast Ocala will be 2-8 p.m. Dec. 6. “Stroll through a curated selection of historic homes and marvel at beautifully decorated interiors, twinkling lights, and charming holiday displays in every yard,” organizers say. Tickets are $30 in advance (at Your Heart’s Desire) or $35 at the door. More at https://historicocala.org/event/holiday-tour-2025/

Dunnellon Christmas Parade

The parade will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Dunnellon Middle School, 21005 Chestnut St. More at https://www.facebook.com/dunnellonchristmasparade/

Belleview Christmas Parade

The parade will be 2 p.m. Dec. 7. It starts at Lake Lillian and Robinson Road and ends at 110th Street. More at https://belleviewchristmasparade.com/

Santa on the Square

Santa will be available to visit with kids on the downtown Ocala square, (1 SE Broadway St.) 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 11, 16 and 18. Free. All ages. Families should bring their own cameras.

Ocala Christmas Parade

The parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 with grand marshal Bernadette Castro. The parade begins on East Silver Springs Boulevard at Southeast 25th Avenue and heads west to Northeast Eighth Avenue in the Tuscawilla Park area. More at ocalachristmasparade.org

‘The Nutcracker’ live with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra

“For the first time ever, experience the magic of live orchestra and ballet when the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Dance Alive National Ballet unite for a breathtaking live performance of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker,’ organizers say. This performance will be 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets $65-$125. More at reillyartscenter.com

Central Florida Master Choir 2025 Christmas concerts

“This season we will be focusing on JOY as we perform Jubilate Deo, Sweet Silent Night, Hallelujah Soulful Celebration, The Work of Christmas, and much, much more,” organizers say. The concerts will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala, and 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon. Free; love offering collected.

‘The Nutcracker’

These traditional Dance Alive National Ballet performances will be Dec. 14 and 15 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Tickets $10-$40. More at reillyartscenter.com

30th annual Trains at the Holidays

This tradition, organized by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society (OMRRHPS), will be up at the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery Dec. 19-31. “The elaborate network of moving model trains features miniature towns, countryside scenes and recognizable local landmarks,” organizers say. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with special Christmas Eve hours of noon-3 p.m. The gallery is closed on Christmas Day. The gallery is located on CF’s Ocala campus at 3001 SW College Road. More at CF.edu/Webber or 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

A Joyful Celebration

Joy Lutheran Church’s fifth annual Christmas concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church, 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala. Free with a love offering and reception to follow.

‘A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition’

This holiday tradition is back at the Appleton Museum of Art. It will be up Nov. 1–Jan. 11. The exhibition features the Urban family’s extensive Christmas collection. “Visitors can enjoy beautifully decorated themed trees, the ever-popular Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world, and much more. With new arrangements and details each year, the display offers something fresh for returning visitors to discover,” organizers say.