Ocala’s popular tree-lighting ceremony will return to downtown this weekend with vendors, food trucks, and live performances, including an acrobatic variety show.

Light Up Ocala will return for its 40th installment on Saturday, November 23, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Themed “Home for the Holidays,” the event will begin with the Junior Sunshine Parade, which will start at the corner of S Magnolia Avenue and E Fort King Street. The parade will feature performances from local dance studios, Girl Scout Troops, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Pipes and Drums Unit.

The tree lighting ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. within the Historic Downtown Square.

Throughout the evening, three entertainment zones in the downtown square, Citizens’ Circle, and a Midtown street party between NE 1st Street and NE 1st Avenue will have live entertainment, including a live DJ, an acrobatic variety show, and jump rope performances.

The event will also feature over 100 vendors, multiple local food trucks, and a puppet show.

The city has organized shuttles throughout the day that will operate free of cost for residents who may want to park their vehicles outside of the area. Those shuttles will run continuously from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Marion Technical Institute (1614 SE Fort King St.) – The shuttle drops off between SE Watula Ave. and SE Third St. and runs every 20 minutes.
  • E.D. Croskey Recreation Center (1510 NW Fourth St.) – The shuttle drops off between N. Magnolia Ave. and NE Second St. and runs every 20 minutes.
  • Ocala Skate Park (517 NE Ninth St.) – The shuttle drops off between NE Watula Ave. and State Road 40 and runs every 10 minutes.
  • Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Ave.) – The shuttle drops off between NE Watula Ave. and State Road 40 and runs every 10 minutes.

Last month, city officials voted to renew a contract for lighting services and set up for the event. Every year, Light Up Ocala marks the beginning of the city’s transition into the holiday season.

After the tree-lighting ceremony, downtown Ocala will be covered in lights and holiday decorations throughout December and early January.

Ocala-News.com will provide additional updates and details on Light Up Ocala, including road closures and detours, as the event draws near.