A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events
77TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Grace Episcopal Church
November 8-9
A variety of items will be on sale, such as fall and Christmas decorations, handmade arts and crafts and homemade baked goods, and there will be raffle drawings for prizes. On Friday, wine and cheese will be available at an event preview.
OCALI COUNTRY DAYS
Silver River Museum campus
November 9–10
The festival offers live music, historic displays, vendors, food, crafts, living history exhibits, pioneer cabin tours, old time skills demonstrations, sugar cane syrup making, tram rides through Silver Springs State Park and admission to the museum. $10 per person (free for ages 5 and younger); cash or mobile pay only. Find details at silverrivermuseum.com or call (352) 236-5401.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Ocala Civic Theatre
November 7-24
In the famous play by Tennessee Williams, Tom Wingfield guides the audience through his faded memory of 1930s St. Louis, recalling his mother Amanda and his sister Laura, in a family struggle for love and acceptance. Get tickets at ocalacivictheatre.org
VETERANS LIGHT THE STARS
Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park
November 10
The Kingdom of the Concert Band concert and commemorative celebration of Veteran’s Day will include a fireworks show and renditions of patriotic staples. Free to all. For more information, go to kingdomofthesunband.org
LIGHT UP OCALA
Downtown Ocala
November 23
This long-standing community tradition kicks off the holidays. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event. It will include more than 100 vendors, food options, live entertainment and an interactive kids zone. There is also a Junior Sunshine holiday parade with an appearance by Santa and Community Showcase performances on the Citizens’ Circle stage. Learn more at ocalafl.org
MESSIAH COMMUNITY SING ALONG
Reilly Arts Center
November 24
Guests and performers will sing pieces from the opera Messiah by George Frederic Handel, orchestrated by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. Most notable is the song Hallelujah, whose iconic namesake refrain has been sung out for centuries. For tickets and more information, go to reillyartccenter.com
WINTER WONDERLAND
World Equestrian Center
November 29– December 23
Wednesday through Sunday, with Friday and Saturday entertainment. There are more than 1 million twinkling lights, show-stopping decorations, entertainers, musical performances, face painters, balloon artists and more. Parking fees apply, as well as for special events such as Breakfast with Santa and the Tinsel Trot 5K. Visit worldequestriancenter.com/ocala for details.
HITS OCALA WINTER CIRCUIT
HITS Post Time Farm
November 25 – March 23
For four decades and counting, HITS has hosted top-level USEF-rated shows with premier competition and opportunities for riders and horses of all levels. Find the schedule at hitshows.com/hits-events/hits-ocala-winter-circuit
A TUNA CHRISTMAS
Ocala Civic Theatre
December 5-15
It’s Christmas in Tuna, Texas. The radio is abuzz with news of the Yuletide yard display competition (vandalized by a shady “phantom”), while unpaid electric bills jeopardize a production of A Christmas Carol. Scott Fitzgerald and Greg Thompson play 20 zany characters in this lightning-fast comedy. Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com
SYMPHONY UNDER THE LIGHTS
Reilly Arts Center
December 6
The Ocala Symphony and members of the Ocala Youth Symphony bring this joyful annual free concert to the community under the oaks of Tuscawilla Park. Bring a blanket or chair. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Downtown Ocala
December 6
See dozens of booths from local artists and vendors. There will be live music by local performers and there are a number of restaurants and bars downtown to make it an evening out, under the thousands of holiday lights. Visit ocalafl.gov to learn more.
POPS! GOES THE HOLIDAYS
Reilly Arts Center
December 7
Featuring your favorite music from Mannheim Steamroller, Home Alone, the Nutcracker and more, you do not want to miss this celebration of the holiday season that brings together the musicians of the orchestra and vocalists from the Ocala Symphony Chorus. For details, go to reillyartscenter.com
FREE FIRST SATURDAY/HOLIDAY COMMUNITY DAY
Appleton Museum of Art
December 7
In addition to A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition, there will be holiday themed exhibits, an area to meet and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, and food trucks. Visit appletonmuseum.org to learn more.
FESTIVAL AT FORT KING
Fort King National Historic Landmark
December 7
Step into the 1800s for historic themed crafts, games, workshops, activities, living historians, vendors, food, drinks and more, including a re-enactment of the event that fueled the start of the Second Seminole War. Admission is free and free shuttle parking is available at the Duke Energy power line field, approximately a quarter mile east of the fort. To learn more, go to
ocalafl.gov
LIGHT UP LAKE LILLIAN
Lake Lillian, Belleview
December 7
Attendees can enjoy a visit from Santa as well as free arts and crafts and children’s activities. Vendors offer a wide variety of food and merchandise. Learn more at belleviewfl.org
DUNNELLON CHRISTMAS PARADE
Dunnellon
December 7
The theme of this year’s parade is Superhero Christmas. The parade goes from Dunnellon Middle School to Park Avenue South, down Cedar Street then east to San Jose Boulevard. Go to dunnellonchamber.com for details
BELLEVIEW CHRISTMAS PARADE
Belleview
December 8
This year’s parade route starts at Lake Lillian and Robinson Road and ends at 110th Street. The parade will include marching bands, floats and more. Visit belleviewchristmasparade.com
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
St. John Lutheran Church
December 13-23 and 26-29
The light show will include walk-through displays, dozens of trees, train rides, crafts and a chance to see Santa and buy some hot chocolate or snacks from food trucks. There will also be live music and puppets on weekend nights. Free to attend. Find details at stjohnocalachurch.org
OCALA CHRISTMAS PARADE
From SE 25th Avenue along Silver Springs Boulevard to 8th Avenue
December 14
This year’s theme is A Candyland Christmas. This is one of the oldest and largest nighttime parades in the nation. You can expect lots of floats, special marching units, wailing sirens and, of course, Santa Claus. Learn more at ocalachristmasparade.org
THE NUTCRACKER
Reilly Arts Center
December 15-17
Written in 1892 by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, many of the songs and images associated with the ballet have become associated with the Christmas holiday itself. In the play, Clara saves the Prince, a magical nutcracker doll come to life, who transports her on a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets. For tickets and more information, visit reillyartscenter.com
