Ocala Christmas Events & Lights

Downtown Ocala (296 SE Broadway St) – Of course, a stop downtown is necessary to take in the iconic palm trees wrapped in green and red and the lights covering the oaks on the square. And the Christmas tree makes the perfect backdrop for a family photo. Parking is available for free at the Downtown Parking Garage.

SE 5^th Street / Historic District – The historic district of Ocala hosts their “best of” competition each year, so the houses that line the streets are decorated in beautiful displays. Usually more traditional, you can expect these houses to be glimmering with wreaths, garland, and Christmas trees on front porches. Start at Tuscawilla Ave and 5^th Street corner, traveling East down 5^th street through the neighborhood. 8^th street has a few light displays as well.

542 SE 40th Ave, Ocala – Tucked away in the Southeast, this house has enough blowup displays for an entire neighborhood.  Worth mentioning is the ski slope coming off their roof with Santa on skis and snowmen and reindeer on sleds. And it comes complete with a countdown to Christmas! While you’re here, visit 745 SE 40th Ave as well!

Pecan Run Lane, Silver Springs Shores – With a sign pointing to the north pole, all six houses on this street are decked out with lights that line the street. Located down 64^th Ave on the left, this street is one you can’t miss.

1670 NW 73rd Terrace, Ocala – Featured on the ABC show “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” this house has strings of lights covering every inch of the yard and roof. The trees are wrapped in lights, and candy canes line the fence. It’s definitely a bright spot on Ocala’s map.

4061 SE 26^th Ct Road, Ocala – Within the Deep Woods subdivision, there’s a small display, but well worth it for the lights dancing. Roll down your window and watch as the lights change to the music playing.

4317 NE 12th St, Ocala – These two houses on this Northeast street seem to compete for the neighborhood championship. There are blow-up characters, projections, and even a giant candy cane arch over a driveway.

Cade Christmas Light Display / 23373 NE 112th Court Rd, Orange Springs – This walk-through light display is well worth the drive-out. The path is lined with trees wrapped in colored lights with arches overhead and leads to Deer Back Lake.

2525 SE 157^th Lane Rd, Summerfield – The Torres family has quite the impressive display in Vermillion Estates. Tune into 97.7 FM and watch as the lights dance to some classic Christmas songs. Plus, you can catch a glimpse of Santa waltzing around in his workshop, so impressive you’ll actually think he’s really there. The lights run from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and 6 pm to 11 pm on weekends until January.

Fun Things To Do in Ocala

The World Equestrian Center (WEC) hosts an enchanted Winter Wonderland at Grand Plaza. The month-long event starts on Friday, November 25th, 2022, and runs through December 25th, 2022. Featuring over one million lights, visits with Santa, festive foods, face painters, carolers, a 45-foot Christmas tree, a Christmas tree maze, sending letters to the north pole, meeting Santa Claus, breakfast with St Nick on selected days, larger-than-life ornaments, a giant polar bear, and so much more, this is one event you’ll want to take the entire family too!!

WEC is located at 1750 NW 80th Ave | Ocala, FL 34482

Admission is free, parking is $30 per vehicle and then there’s breakfast with Santa and some special performances you don’t want to miss. For all the details, times, and tickets, visit their website HERE.

The Villages will be holding their Christmas Parade on December 10^th. It starts at noon and will be held at The Villages Polo Field at 700 N Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL. For up-to-date information, you can view the Villages Polo Club website HERE.

The Villages will be holding a Christmas Model Train Show between December 8^th and11^th. There will be raffles, multi-gauge layouts, Santa, and trains! It’s free for the public and will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on December 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th, and 10 am to 3 pm on December 11^th. This event will occur at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center at 510 Colony Blvd, The Villages, Florida 32162.

Ocala’s Annual Christmas Parade is happening Saturday, December 10^th this year. An Ocala tradition since 1955, you don’t want to miss out on this festive parade. The first float begins its stroll at 5:30 pm, and the theme is Hometown Christmas this year. If interested, bleacher seats are available at the Ocala Shopping Center and Save-A-Lot parking lots and can be purchased online by visiting THIS LINK, or you can set your chairs up starting the 9^th. Don’t miss out on this Ocala favorite!

Downtown Ocala Christmas Golf Cart Parade is happening Saturday, December 11th this year. This parade is the 4th annual edition, which starts and ends at City Hall in Ocala, located at 110 SE Watula Ave, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Golf carts can start arriving downtown at 4:30 pm.

Put your holiday decorating skills to the test! Judges will be looking for unique carts, costumes, and lights. Prizes will be announced before the start of the parade. (Golf carts only! No cars allowed!!).

**Proceeds from the event will be donated to Project Hope Ocala.**

Visit their event page HERE for all the details!!

Kirby Farms is hosting its annual Christmas Express for the tenth year, a can’t-miss event. Hop aboard their 100-year-old train and ride through thousands of Christmas lights. Santa himself will be present, and pictures are free with your camera. A petting zoo, an antique Ferris wheel, and an Italian carousel will be available for those who purchase tickets. This event starts November 25th, 2022, and runs through December 26^th, and the first train leaves promptly at 6:30 pm and runs every half hour, with the last ride departing at 9:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $15.99 for adults and $10.99 for children aged 3-9 and grant you early entry to the train. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, as well, for $20 for adults and $15 for children. For more information, you can visit their website or call (352) 812-7435. Kirby Farms is located at 19650 NE 30^th St, Williston, Florida 32696.

Cottom Farms is another great place to get into the holiday spirit. For $5 per person or $20 per carload of up to 6 people, you can take a self-guided tour around their Christmas village with a hayride and back. Pictures with Santa, cocoa, and cookies from their Cocoa Café will also be offered. This event runs until Christmas Eve from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Another event at Cottom Farms is Pancakes with Santa for $15, which includes a hayride, time for pictures with Santa, and keepsake craft for the children, and pancakes made by Santa himself! This event is happening on the 10^{th of} December from 9 am to 12 pm. Children under 2 are free. Tickets for both events can be bought over the phone at (352) 751-4544. Tickets will be available at the gate for the tour of the Christmas village, but be sure to reserve your spot early for Pancakes with Santa. Cottom Farms is located at 4650 Marion County Road, Weirsdale, Florida 32195.

You may also be interested in starting planning your New Years’ Eve Celebrations!