OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Downtown Ocala hosted the 41st Annual Light Up Ocala, shining a festive light on local businesses, performers and the community. As vendors lined the streets, offering a variety of goods, live performances kept the night jolly before the ceremony officially flipping the switch to light up downtown Ocala.

A crowd of people walk through a lit archway that reads, "Light Up Ocala" at the top. Lamp posts and decorated trees light up the dark area as people walk around.
A crowd of people walk around a town with tall buildings, decorated Christmas-themed lamp posts and vendors lined on streets.

The evening began with the Junior Sunshine Holiday Parade where schools and youth programs came together enabling students to perform for the community and kick off the event. Throughout the evening, local performers entertained crowds before and after the lighting ceremony. Audio Exchange performed on the main stage at the Ocala Downtown Gazebo; local dance groups showed their talents at the Downtown Stage at Citizens’ Circle; and the Midtown Street Party featured family-friendly performers where parents could bring their children.

Two musicians, a man in a red and black flannel shirt and jeans holding a guitar and a woman wearing a red tank top and black shorts with a gold belt, perform under a display of Christmas lights.
Audio Exchange, performed before and after The Light Up Ocala lighting ceremony on Nov. 22, 2025. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Plenty of vendors from around Ocala lined the streets around the downtown area with food trucks, lemonade stands, hand crafted jewelers, The College of Central Florida, large businesses, sand art and more. Many of the booths handed out free goods to the community with stickers, flyers, business cards, pamphlets and more while others had items available for purchase.

A vendor booth displays hand-painted seashells on a burlap table runner with sunflowers in decorative vases.
A crowd of people stand outside of shops with decorated palm trees on the sidewalks. Fake snow fills the crowd, providing a winter feel.
A crowd of people walk on a dimly lit street with canopies lining on side.
A vendor booth displays tiny crochet keychains from a suspending rack as a group of customers look through the merchandise.
An event vendor displayed handmade crochet keychains for sale during the Light Up Ocala event on Nov. 22, 2025. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

In the grand moment before the flipping of the switch, Heather Delmotte, the Zirkle family, Mayor Ben Marciano and his family and councilmembers shared the stage, giving their final remarks. Ava Bethea, granddaughter of Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea Sr., flipped the switch of tradition, lighting up Ocala with colorful displays and the large, central tree positioned in the heart of Ocala. As the lights illuminated Historic Downtown Square, fake snow blasted into the crowd, providing a magical winter feel.

Group of people gather around Mayor Ben Marciano. A giant white light switch with Christmas lights are in the foreground.
A smiling family stands on a stage with Christmas decorations and instruments.
A group of families stand together on a stage, posing for a picture in front of a gazebo. The gazebo is decorated with Christmas lights and a wreath while the trees behind it have lights strung on them.
A young girl reaches for a large light switch on a stage with Christmas decorations in the background.