OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala has announced Saturday, November 21, 2026, as the date for this year’s Light Up Ocala celebration.

One of North Central Florida’s biggest and most popular holiday-season traditions, Light Up Ocala is going on 42 years of bringing a family-friendly festival of lights and activities to downtown Ocala. The free and public event draws thousands upon thousands of residents and visitors to the downtown area every year to revel in performances, marketplaces and an inspiring spectacle of light.

Entertainment zones and activities

  • Stage One – Downtown Square (Sponsored by HCA Florida Healthcare)
    • Location: Between SE Broadway Street and Magnolia Avenue
    • Time: 3:30 to 8 p.m.
    • Entertainment: Live music by Audio Exchange
      • The lighting ceremony will be held here at 6 p.m.
    • Activities: Holiday tree photo opportunities and Smile Time photo booth
  • Stage Two – Citizens’ Circle (Sponsored by AdventHealth Ocala)
    • Location: Between Fort King Street and Osceola Avenue 
    • Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
    • Entertainment: A community showcase with local dance and performance groups
    • Activities: Meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Living Angles
  • Midtown Street Party
    • Location: Between NE First St. and NE First Ave.
    • Time: 3 to 7:30 p.m. 
    • Entertainment: Live DJ, Acrobatic Variety Show and Jump Rope performances

In addition to the three main entertainment zones, there will be other amusements, entertainments and diversions, including a Punch and Judy Puppet Show at the corner of Fort King Street and Magnolia Avenue, and a kids’ zone located at Parking Lot No. 5 near NE 5th Street and North Magnolia Avenue.

What else? How about the Junior Sunshine Parade at 3 p.m., featuring Santa, Girl Scouts and the Ocala Police Department Mounted Unit?

Free shuttle service will be provided by the city from four parking lots from 2 and 9 p.m.:

  • Marion Technical Institute (1614 SE Fort King St.) – Shuttles will operate every 20 minutes, with drop-off near SE Watula Avenue and SE Third Street. This route is ADA-accessible.  
     
  • E.D. Croskey Recreation Center (1510 NW Fourth St.) – Shuttles will operate every 20 minutes, with drop-off near N. Magnolia Avenue and NE Second Street. This route is ADA-accessible. 
  • Ocala Skate Park (517 NE Ninth St.) – Shuttles will operate every 10 minutes, with drop-off near NE Watula Avenue and State Road 40.
  • Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Ave.) – Shuttles will operate every 10 minutes, with drop-off near NE Watula Avenue and State Road 40.

Additional parking is available at both free parking lots downtown.