Ocala Community News

Join us for a memorable ASL experience featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus! Get your photo taken and receive a downloadable image through our online gallery. A special inclusive holiday event for the deaf community and families.

Celebrating 70 years (1955-2025)! Join us for the annual Ocala Christmas Parade featuring the 2025 theme "Christmas Through the Decades." The parade route runs 1.6 miles through downtown Ocala, starting at SE 25th Avenue and Ft. King Street, moving north to E Silver Springs Blvd, then west on the Boulevard, and ending near Tuscawilla Park at NE 3rd Street. This beloved community tradition brings families together for the holiday season. The Ocala Christmas Parade is always held the 2nd Saturday in December. Want to participate? Applications are available online after August 15th at www.ocalachristmasparade.org (application deadline October 30th). Mandatory packet pickup meeting: November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM at OPD. **IMPORTANT: Road Closures & Detours** Heads up for drivers! Plan ahead and allow for extra travel time. Road closures and detours will be in place. **Road closures Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:** • SE 25th Ave. from E Fort King St. to SE 14th St. **Detour routes (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.):** • NE 25th Ave. (southbound) – E Fort King St. to SE 22nd Ave. to SE 14th St., back to SE 25th Ave. • SE 25th Ave. (northbound) – SE 14th St. to SE 30th Ave. to E Fort King St. to NE 36th Ave. to State Road 40 to State Road 492, back to NE 25th Ave. **Road closures Saturday, Dec. 13 from 3 p.m. to midnight:** • State Road 40 from NE Third St. to N Pine Ave./US 441 • SE/NE 25th Ave. from SE 14th St. to State Road 492 • E Fort King St. from SE 30th Ave. to SE 22nd Ave. • NE 8th Ave. from State Road 40 to NE 14th St./State Road 492 **Detour routes (3 p.m. - midnight):** • State Road 40 (eastbound) – US 441 to NW/NE 14th St./State Road 492, back to State Road 40 • State Road 40 (westbound) – NE 3rd St. to NE 25th Ave. to State Road 492 to US 441, back to State Road 40 • SE/NE 25th Ave. (northbound) – SE 14th St. to SE 30th Ave. to E Fort King St. to NE 36th Ave. to State Road 40, back to NE 25th Ave. • NE/SE 25th Ave. (southbound) – State Road 492 to NE 36th Ave. to E Fort King St. to SE 30th Ave. to SE 14th St., back to SE 25th Ave. • E Fort King St. (westbound) – SE 30th Ave. to SE 14th St. to SE 22nd Ave., back to E Fort King St. • E Fort King St. (eastbound) – SE 22nd Ave. to SE 14th St. to SE 30th Ave., back to E Fort King St. • NE 8th Ave. (southbound) – State Road 492 to US 441 to State Road 40 (westbound) or State Road 492 to State Road 40 (eastbound) Please be aware there may be additional road closures as determined by the Ocala Police Department. For road closure information: City of Ocala Public Works Department at 352-351-6733. For parade information: OcalaParade@gmail.com

Annual holiday-themed fun run presented by The Gaekwad Family and sponsored by Radical Runs. Join us for a festive afternoon before the Christmas Parade! Features two races: Rudolf Dash (300m kids dash) starts at 4:10 PM sharp (FREE without shirt), followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 4:20 PM sharp. Participants receive commemorative t-shirts and medals. Perfect for families and runners of all levels. Both races conclude before the 5:30 PM Ocala Christmas Parade starts. Professional race timing and organization provided by Radical Runs.

Experience the smooth sounds and holiday charm of Michael Buble in this spectacular tribute show. Featuring all of Buble's biggest hits and Christmas classics, this evening captures the magic of one of contemporary music's most beloved voices during the most wonderful time of the year.

Multi-platinum saxophonist performs beautiful Christmas music with Grammy Award-winning musicians and special vocalist. Features classic holiday songs and concludes with dessert reception and artist meet-and-greet.

Professional theatrical production featuring actors, costumes, sets, puppetry, and 26 traditional carols woven throughout the classic tale. Blends humor and timeless message for the whole family.