Story updated on 11/14 to include information about road closures in downtown Ocala.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The glow of thousands of lights will bathe downtown Ocala in a festive, holiday spirit this weekend.

The city’s annual Light Up Ocala will attract thousands to downtown this Saturday, Nov. 18. It’s the 39th year for the holiday event.

Downtown Ocala prepares for the 39th annual Light Up Ocala holiday event that features arts/crafts, music, food and Santa! Courtesy: Kathy Dugan/352today

Light Up Ocala runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature over 100 vendors including crafts, art and food.

The Jr. Sunshine Parade steps off at 4:30 p.m. The route begins at the intersection of East Fort King Street and Magnolia Avenue. It includes 15 entries ranging from the West Port High School JROTC to the Sunrise Elementary Dance Team. The jolly old elf, Santa, will make his grand entrance at the end of the parade.

The Jr. Sunshine Parade kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and features 15 entries including the Sunrise Elementary Dance Team. Courtesy: City of Ocala

Good little boys and girls can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Citizens’ Circle following the parade.

RELATED: 5 things to do in the 352 for the holidays

There will be multiple entertainment zones. The midtown street party at Northeast 1st Avenue features a stage for live entertainment. And the main event is the city’s tree lighting ceremony on the downtown square on Southeast Broadway Street. The switch gets flipped at 6:30 p.m. if you want to be there for the countdown.

There are six parking garages downtown. Due to limited parking, Sun Tran busses will provide shuttle service from three pick-up and drop-off locations. Check out the map here.

UPDATE 11/14: The City of Ocala has released a list of road closures in effect for the event.

Road closures in effect Saturday, Nov. 18, 7 a.m. to midnight:

  • NE/NW Second Street, from NE Watula Avenue to NW First Avenue
  • NE/NW First Street, from NE Watula Avenue to NW First Avenue
  • SE/SW Broadway Street, from SE Watula Avenue to SW First Avenue
  • SE/SW Fort King Street, from SE Watula Avenue to SW First Avenue
  • N/S Magnolia Avenue, from NE/NW Third Street to SE/SW Second Street
  • SE/NE First Avenue, from SE Second Street to NE Third Street
  • NE/SE Osceola Avenue, from NE Third Street to SE Fort King Street
  • SE Third Street, from Watula to SE Osceola (this closure is to accommodate the downtown Saturday market).

 Road closures in effect Saturday, Nov. 18, noon to midnight:

  • State Road 40, from NE Eighth Avenue to N Pine Avenue (US 441)

 Detour routes:

  • SR 40: N Pine Avenue to NW/NE 14th Street (SR 492) to NE Eighth Avenue, back to SR 40
  • NE/NW Second Street: NE Watula Avenue to NE/NW Third Street and to NW First Avenue
  • NE/NW First Street: NE Watula Avenue to NE/NW Third Street and to NW First Avenue
  • SE/SW Broadway Street: SE/NE Watula Avenue to NE/NW Third Street to NW/SW First Avenue, back to SW Broadway Street
  • SE/SW Fort King Street: SE/NE Watula Avenue to NE/NW Third Street to NW/SW First Avenue, back to SW Fort King Street
  • SW/SE Second Street: SW First Avenue to SW Fifth Street to SE Watula Avenue
  • N/S Magnolia Avenue (southbound): NW Third Street to NW/SW First Avenue to SW Third Street, back to S Magnolia Avenue
  • SE/NE First Avenue (northbound): SE Fifth Street to SE/NE Watula Avenue to NE Third Street, back to NE First Avenue
  • NE Osceola Avenue: NE/NW Third Street to NW/SW First Avenue to SW Fifth Street, back to SE Osceola Avenue
  • SE Osceola Avenue: SE Fifth Street to Watula Avenue to NE/NW Third Street, back to Osceola Avenue