OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Marion Oaks Community Center hosted a small but mighty Light Up Marion Oaks & Holiday Extravaganza event on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Families went out to celebrate the season while kids participated in some of the available activities. The event featured Santa and Mrs. Claus who roamed around the area until the final lighting ceremony where the large community tree and surroundings decorations lit up the community center.

Check out pictures of the event, capturing the small, festive celebration.

  • A candy cane decoration stands against a light pole with snowmen and a brick building in the background.
    Light Up Marion Oaks decorated the Marion Oaks Community Center on Dec. 6 for a vibrant look this season. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Large human hamster balls are scattered in an open field with kids bumping into each other inside.
    The Light Up Marion Oaks event on Dec. 6 featured children’s activities to keep children engaged until the lighting ceremony at sundown. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A crowd of people walk around food trucks and an open space on a paved pathway.
    Locals went out to the Marion Oaks Community Center on Dec. 6 for Light Up Ocala where Mr. and Mrs. Claus lit the community tree. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A crowd of people hold their phones up to record a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
    As the Marion Oaks Community Center lit up the community Christmas tree, guests watched and recorded on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/325today
  • People walk along a parking lot taken over by vendor booths.
    Light Up Marion Oaks was host to crowds of visitors shopping at the local vendors on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Three snowmen in a line stand outside a brick building in winter clothes.
    Light Up Marion Oaks featured a variety of decorations for families to check out while waiting for the light up ceremony on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Snowmen, reindeer and more blow-up decorations sit in a grassy patch outside of a brick building.
    Multiple decorations sit outside of the Marion Oaks Community Center for the holiday season. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • An elf, Mrs. Claus and Santa all stand in a circular bush garden with a tree in the center.
    Classic Christmas character stand in a circular bush garden with a Christmas tree in anticipation of the light up ceremony at Light Up Marion Oaks on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A crowd of people gather in front of a tall tree with an elf, Mrs. Claus and Santa as the tree lights up for the season.
    Light Up Marion Oaks featured Mr. and Mrs. Claus who lit up the community center Christmas Tree on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Fake snow foam shoots into a crowd of children as they catch and play in it.
    The Light Up Marion Oaks event featured foam snow for children to get a feel of Christmas for the season on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Reindeer and snowman decorations are brightly lit with bushes featuring string lights in the background.
    Light Up Marion Oaks lit up the entire community center in bright lights for the holiday season on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A man stands behind a computer playing music in a candy cane suit with a grinch shit underneath and Santa hat.
    Light Up Marion Oaks featured a DJ playing music for families to enjoy during the event. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A food truck with a graphic of food covering it displays menus of their food option in a public park.
    Junkie Fries LLC was a featured food vendor at the Light Up Marion Oaks event on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A vendor in a park features seasonal flowers with pay options displayed on the table.
    The Light Up Marion Oaks event on Dec. 6 featured a vendor selling seasonal flowers with some featuring lights. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Two women pose on either side of a booth with advertising reading, "Nothing Bundt Cakes." Displayed on the table are multiple bundt cakes available for purchase.
    The Light Up Marion Oaks event on Dec. 6 featured Nothing Bundt Cakes with coupons and purchasable bundt cakes. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A vendor in a park features wood works displayed throughout the booth.
    A vendor at Light Up Marion Oaks featured Christmas wood works on Dec. 6. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today