The month of December is a busy one for all of us; after the sleepy slothiness of Thanksgiving dinner wears off, it’s as if we’re all jolted by the sudden avalanche of twinkling holiday lights and the absolute necessity of finding suitable wreaths, candles, trees, and gift wrapping to arm ourselves. There’s a lot going on, and here at Showcase it’s no different. One day we’re all recovering from tryptophan food comas, and the next our office lobby is an explosion of festive ornaments, cards, and extremely tempting baked goods in the break room.
If you’re having some trouble keeping track of all the fun stuff happening in and around Ocala, never fear – your Showcase Elves (that’s us in the Marketing Department) have your back. We like food and music and shiny things, so we try to keep track of these things and keep them organized for maximum fun. We’re happy to share the bounty with you, so you can avail yourself of the information without stress or feeling like you’re drowning in eggnog.
Here’s a list, with helpful links, of some of the great events going on throughout the holiday season. If you’re looking for more, we’ve added some additional information at the end so you can find what you need. Happy Holidaying!
Victorian England lives again in a miniature village that takes up most of the museum’s first floor, complete with twinkling lights, distinctive period architecture, and snow-covered little streets. From November 1 through January 11, the Appleton Museum celebrates the beloved Ocala holiday tradition with “A Dickens Christmas”, and it’s as charming and delightful as Scrooge dancing in his nightgown.
Dickens was a prolific writer, but he was also a cantankerous one who often had strained and difficult relationships with his publishers. Growing up in poverty with a father who was tossed in debtor’s prison, the author was understandably hyper-cautious about his finances. Dickens was a little Scrooge-y himself; he was suspicious of his publishers and convinced they were out to con and cheat him with his books. To forestall this potential robbery, he decided to self-publish “A Christmas Carol” and bypass any chance of his publishers pocketing more money than he would.
It’s probably the novel he’s most known for and almost universally regarded as one of his best, becoming almost an instant classic from the moment people started reading it and continuing to draw new fans over the next 150 years. Nowadays it just doesn’t feel like Christmas if we don’t hear Tiny Tim Cratchit saying “God bless us, every one.”
On the second floor at the Appleton, the yearly Christmas Tree exhibit returns to transfoorm the space into a living forest. Trees are decorated by community groups and organizations, including Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Bridge to Hope,Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), and The LILAC Foundation.
Appleton Museum of Art: “A Dickens Christmas”
4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala
November 1 – January 11
Ticket Info: https://www.appletonmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/
The Nutcracker
This timeless classic is back with Dance Alive National Ballet and the PNC Foundation from December 14-15 at the Reilly Arts Center. Everyone needs a hero to save them, and Clara comes through every time for the Nutcracker Prince. To thank her, he takes her on a magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the exquisite and ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy puts on a sparkling and regal show for Clara and the rest of an awed audience. If you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy this traditional, whimsical and colorful holiday story, this is a great time to do it!
A Very Bublé Christmas
On December 18, for those who were unable to be at the Vatican to enjoy Michael Bublé and watch the Pontiff sing along, the Reilly has the next best thing: “A Very Bublé Christmas” with Anthony Bernasconi and The Michael Bublé Experience. Smooth vocals, a swinging big band with lush arrangements, and everyone’s favorite holiday and Christmas classic songs capture the joy and warmth of both the holiday, celebrating one of the genre’s most gifted performers.
Reilly Arts Center
500 NE 9th St, Ocala
The Nutcracker
December 14-15
Ticket Info: https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/the-nutcracker-2025/
A Very Bublé Christmas
December 18
Ticket Info: https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/feelin-good-a-very-buble-christmas/
Visit Santa Claus from 6-8 pm December 9th, 11th, and 16th and 18th in Ocala’s Downtown Square Gazebo! Santa made his list and checked it twice; now he’s on the way to Ocala to gather intel on what the kids are asking for this Christmas. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos; parents should bring their own phone or camera for pictures. It’s a twinkly, vibrant, and fun atmosphere on the Square, with lots of things to do and places to shop for stocking stuffers. Free and open to the public.
Downtown Square Ocala
December 9, 11, 16, 18 from 6pm – 8pm
For more information: Ocala Marion Events – Santa on the Square
Every year, 60,000 or more denizens of the Ocala community get together along Silver Springs Boulevard for the annual Christmas Parade. It’s been a tradition for over sixty years here in the Horse Capital of the World™, and it really makes the holiday season complete. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Through the Decades”, and runs 1.6 miles through Downtown Ocala from SE 25th Avenue and Fort King, winding North and then West along Silver Springs Boulevard, and ending near Tuscawilla Park on 3rd Street. Make sure to arrive as early as you can to get a good spot, and enjoy the show!
Ocala Christmas Parade
SE 25th St to Tuscawilla Park
Saturday, December 13th @ 5:30 PM
For more information: Ocala Christmas Parade
Ocala is, of course, The Horse Capital of the World™, so it’s only fitting that our equine pals get in on the fun. The Clydesdales are some of the most recognizable horses of the holiday season; these gentle giants are practically the harbingers of Christmas, evoking images of twinkling lights and snow-blanketed landscapes. At Grandview Christmas with the Clydesdales, guests enjoy a magical, enchanting tour of the farm, with award-winning, themed Christmas trees, holiday music, lights and decorations. The Clydesdales are dressed in their beautiful holiday costumes – an educational experience that both entertains and awes, and VIP ticket holders have the opportunity to meet and give the horses holiday treats, getting an up-close and personal moment with these truly stunning creatures. Open to all ages December 22 – 27 from 6pm. You can also book a Daytime Tour with VIP Baby Experience or a Dinner Carriage Show.
Grandview Clydesdale Farm and Tours
10020 SW 125th Court Road, Dunnellon
Starts: 6pm
For more information: Grandview Clydesdales Christmas Experiences
On the other side of town, WEC ‘s annual Winter Wonderland is so popular and so busy, you’ll probably want to make multiple visits over the course of the month-long celebration just to make sure you’re able to see it all. Because it’s a lot. You remember tales of magical fairylands when you were a kid, where friendly elves lived and toys came to life? We’re pretty sure WEC took every single one of those stories and somehow brought them to life right here in Ocala. Their December calendar is full of events, music, and activities, plus all the shopping your credit card can handle – so pace yourself.
The big lighting ceremony at the Grand Plaza starts it all off; the Plaza – which is already gorgeous – has been strung with over a million twinkling, glowing bulbs, so it becomes a dancing little galaxy of its own, bathed in borrowed starlight and the scent of garlands. The sensory input alone is enough to make you a little dizzy, and you start to wonder if Elves are indeed real, because the scope of the thing is just mind-boggling.
After that, for the next month WEC is essentially a satellite location of the North Pole, and Santa has an extra office there. Kids can come to meet and even have breakfast at Stirrups with St. Nick, or write letters to the aforementioned Elves that are still working back home. The ones who came to Florida for the WEC detail can be seen scampering through the Plaza, dodging carolers, stilt walkers and toy soldiers on their way.
There’s plenty of great entertainment for everyone, including live music on Fridays and special performances on select dates. The Holiday Craft show is back, too; it’s Ocala’s largest indoor bazaar and feels like Santa’s Workshop outsourced right here in the middle of horse country. Over 300 artisans and craftspeople offer handmade goods you can fill your Christmas list with all in one place, after which you can head out for a bite to eat, see a concert, or get lost for a while in the Christmas Tree Maze.
World Equestrian Center Winter Wonderland
1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala
November 28 – December 23
Free Admission
This family friendly New Year’s Eve event includes access to more than 10 locations between 5 p.m. and midnight with the purchase of an event button. Activities, performances and exhibits take place around Tuscawilla Park and Historic Downtown Ocala. More details and FAQ at www.ocalamainstreet.org/firstnight.
For information on all the events (and there are a LOT of events) we weren’t able to list here, check out the Marion County Events site and find out what else is going on in Ocala, Dunnellon, Belleview, and Weirsdale. You can also go to the City Of Ocala Event Calendar and the Only In Ocala pages for more information.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Winter Solstice!
All of us at Showcase wish you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season, and the very best in the new year to come.