Holiday events top the list of fun things to do this weekend in Ocala/Marion
Editor's note: A full guide to holiday entertainment events can be found at ocala.com
THIS WEEKEND
'The Velocity of Autumn'
This dramatic comedy is live onstage Nov. 9-26 at the Ocala Civic Theatre. More at ocalacivictheatre.com
Christmas Lights Spectacular
This show, created by St. John Lutheran Church and School, is hosted at the Florida Horse Park. It is a drive-thru light spectacular, held Nov. 24-Dec. 30. The park transforms into a colorful world of sparkle, music and festive spirit. The 1.8-mile light show is accompanied by music from K Country 93.7. Visitors can journey along the route in the comfort of their cars or visit the skate rink and walk-through displays. Food trucks on site. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ocalachristmas.com
World Equestrian Center Winter Wonderland
The family friendly event is back for its third year. It will run Nov. 25-Dec. 23. The Grand Plaza will glow with more than 1 million bulbs and be festooned with enormous ornaments, garlands and a Christmas tree maze. Kids can meet Santa Claus, write a letter to the elves at the North Pole, and get tickets to enjoy breakfast with St. Nick at on-site restaurant Stirrups on select dates.
This is part of a holiday extravaganza, with entertainment for adults and kids. For full information, including dates and prices, visit www.wecwinterwonderland.com.
COMING SOON
A Rockin’ Little Christmas
The Orange Blossom Opry hosts this holiday extravaganza at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale. "Rockin' Little Christmas isn’t just about the music; it’s a celebration and the magic that surrounds the holiday season," organizers say. More at www.obopry.com.
Festival at Fort King and 'Legends of Yule'
The Festival at Fort King will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 at Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St. Park at Powhatten Park, 3800 SE Third St. Free shuttles will be running continuously throughout the event for pickups and drop-offs. A special tram will be available for handicapped or disabled guests only. Admission is $5 per person. Veterans and children younger than 5 get in free. More at www.ocalafl.gov/recpark, www.fortkingocala.com/festival, 352-368-5517 or @OcalaRecPark on Facebook.
The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the first "Legends of Yule" event at the landmark from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 2. "Step back into history to meet the legends of winters’ past. Storytellers will share early 19th-century worldly traditions carried to Fort King during the Seminole War. Enjoy a cozy lantern-lit experience with a warm beverage and friends," organizers say. The Legends event is a ticketed event and tickets must be purchased online. No walk-up ticket sales the night of the event. General admission is $10 per person.
AdventHealth Ocala Foundation Presents: Mission and a Movie
This event will begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Marion Theatre with Winter Wonderland activities, leading to a screening of the film "Elf” at 6 p.m. This family centered event will include games, prizes, photo booth, ornament decorating and Buddy the Elf himself. Proceeds support Women’s and Children’s Services at AdventHealth Ocala. Single tickets $25; sponsorship opportunities are available. More at www.OcalaMissionAndAMovie.com
'Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret'
This teen production will be onstage at the Ocala Civic Theatre Dec. 9-10, and cast members will help ring in 2024 downtown on New Year’s Eve. "The Academy at Ocala Civic Theatre is pleased to collaborate with the Brick City Cabaret Company in this program of fabulously festive favorites," organizers say. "Since 2006, BCCC has featured some of our region’s finest vocal talent. This fall, their seasoned singers have been teaching our students how to shine bright in the spotlight, performing in classic cabaret style." More at (352) 236-2274 or www.ocalacivictheatre.com. Also, Tinseltunes will be part of Ocala Main Street’s First Night celebration, performing at 7 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at IHMC, 15 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
ONGOING
'Perfect Black: Visual Expressions of the Southern, Rural, African American Experience'
This exhibit is up at the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery through Dec. 7. "Visitors will see artwork that expresses the personal viewpoints of Black artists from the Southeast in all mediums," organizers say. "The competitive, regional exhibition was inspired by Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson’s 2021 book of poetry, 'Perfect Black,' which features vivid imagery of her experience growing up in Southern Appalachia." The community is invited to a reception and awards presentation 5-7 p.m. Nov. 17.
The Webber Gallery is on CF's Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road. It is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Admission is free. More at www.CF.edu/Webber or (352) 854-2322, ext. 1664.
Appleton Museum of Art annual exhibition
“A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” features themed trees and much more from the collection of the Urban family. Ornately decorated trees and the architecture, customs and history of Victorian England come alive in this popular miniature village, alongside an extensive collection of nutcrackers from around the world. On view through Jan. 7 at the Appleton.
John Elliott photos
A collection is up at the Chelsea Art Center through Dec. 15. In promotional materials, Elliott is described as "a master photographer with more than five decades invested in virtually every aspect of the medium." This exhibition features 40 photographs from his “The Human Pulse” and “Walls/Spaces” series. The center is at Chelsea Square Plaza, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at (352) 804-1272 and https://chelseaartcenter.com/
'Skylines to Hemlines: Art Deco Design from the Permanent Collection'
This exhibition is up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 14. "Curated and displayed for the first time ever from the Appleton’s impressive permanent collection of Art Deco objects, 'Skylines to Hemlines' offers an introductory overview to early 20th century art, architecture, design, fashion, jewelry, paintings, prints and photographs created in the interwar period," organizers say. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Exciting Explorers
This exhibit at the Discovery Center is up through Jan. 6. The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "This new exhibit allows guests to go on a high-seas adventure or trek into dark tombs filled with artifacts. Children and adults will learn how explorers discover new worlds while navigating and expanding their knowledge of uncharted territories," organizers say. "Take on the role of archeologist and learn how artifacts are preserved or become a scientist and use your imagination for future discoveries."
General admission is $8 per person/$28 for a family of four. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org.
‘The Unscene South’
This exhibition will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 28. “A little-known population of Blacks lived free in the United States, long before Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery,” the museum says on its website. “Through Charles Eady’s paintings, ‘The Unscene South’ shares evidence and details of their existence, and presents opportunities to view the realities of their daily lives, seeking to eliminate many misconceptions about Blacks and the South.”
The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
'Caught Up in History and Captured on Film: Randy Batista’s Photographs of Florida and Cuba'
This exhibition is up through Jan. 28 at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Gainesville-based photographer Randy Batista "uses his lens to document his life and travel adventures," the Appleton says in a news release. "Comprised of silver-gelatin prints developed from film, the images in this show focus on Florida and Cuba — two places that have had a profound impact on the artist. Having lived in both locations, the artist’s awareness of place, time and cultural heritage are evident in his quiet but alluring street photography, landscapes and portraits." More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
‘Bold and Inspired: Native American Regalia’ by Diana Lee and ‘Abstract Island Expressions’ by William Lee
These art exhibitions, the work of married couple Diana and William Lee, will be up through Jan. 4 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala. Both exhibits are free and open to the public. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Bold and Inspired" is on the first floor and "Abstract Island Expressions" on the second. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.
‘Tony A. Blue, American Painter’
This exhibition from Tony Blue is up through Jan. 9 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, Ocala. This show “explores Blue’s expressionist, abstract paintings,” which are “inspired by Florida’s tropical natural landscape,” the city says in a news release. The exhibit is free and open to the public. More at www.artoftonyblue.com, (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.
‘The Beauty of Nature and Recyclable Refuse’
This art exhibition from Albert Bevilacqua is up through Jan. 8 at the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. The building are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free exhibit is open to the public. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces
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‘Patternz’
This art exhibition from Kelsey Mahoney is up through Dec. 12 at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. It is free and open to the public. City Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. In a news release, the city says this exhibit “highlights Mahoney’s recent abstract work of detailed, vibrantly colored, mosaic-like ink drawings.” More at www.facebook.com/kelseymahoneyartist, (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.
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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala weekend entertainment highlights include holiday events
