TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN

10TOP * THINGS TO DO IN THE 352 : CHRISTMAS EDITION 1

KIRBY FAMILY FARM CHRISTMAS TRAIN // THROUGH DECEMBER 27

and the Ocala Runner’s Club, will bene t the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County. The race starts at 3pm, and participants will receive a race shirt and a nisher medal. There is also a virtual option to the race. Dress in your favorite holiday gear, lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement. Register for the race at runsignup.com. Located in nearby Williston, this annual Christmas train is a holiday tradition for many. The 20-minute train journey explores the surrounding farmland and lights. This year’s festivities will include a visit with St. Nick (Please note there will be no sitting on Santa’s lap this year.), a Christmas Buddies character experience, the manger babies petting zoo, tractor ride, an antique Ferris wheel, an Italian carousel, rides, a secret elf shop and more. On select nights through December the gates open at 6pm, and the light ride gets underway at 9:30pm. Gates close at 10pm. The farm asks for a $15.99 contribution per person in advance for those ages 10 and up. $20 at the gate. Children ages 3-9 are $10.99 in advance and $15 at the gate if available. Kids ages 2 and under are free. If you can’t a ord a ticket, a day’s worth of volunteering will earn a free ticket. Admission tickets include all activities. After December 25, the ticket will no longer include Santa, the Elf Shoppe or the live

2REINDEER RUN 5K // DECEMBER 12 COVID can’t stop this annual holiday race from happening. The 41st annual Reindeer Run, hosted by CenterState Bank manger scene. For details and to order tickets, visit kirbyfarm.com.

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THE NUTCRACKER // DECEMBER 17-20

The music, the dancing, the costumes—it just isn’t Christmas without sweet Clara saving the Nutcracker prince. This year’s Dance Alive National Ballet production will have the Sugar Plum Fairy dancing through the Kingdom of the Sweets on the mainstage at the Phillips Center in Gainesville. Shows take place at 7:30pm daily and a 2pm matinée will be o ered on December 19 and 20. For performance information, including any COVID-19 guidelines in place, and to purchase tickets, visit performingarts.u .edu.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL // THROUGH DECEMBER 20

This holiday classic will once again make a return to the Ocala Civic Theatre stage. This ve-week run will include an inventive adaptation of this beloved story. Adult tickets are $30, and ages 18 and under are $15. Performance times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, plus Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. To purchase tickets and select seats, contact the box o ce at (352) 236-2274 or visit ocalacivictheatre.com.

FIVE CHRISTMAS AT THE MARKET // DECEMBER 19 Peruse the aisles of Renningers Antique Center in Mount Dora for a wonderful collection of holiday items and goods. The event begins at 9am and will include antiques, vintage items and vendors selling crafts themed for entertaining, decorating and gift giving. Food and treats will be available throughout the market. Admission and parking are free. Details can be found at renningers.net. 6 A SHOLOM PARK CHRISTMAS CAROL // DECEMBER 17 Come enjoy the park after dark in this special series. Each date, there will be a di erent event to experience in the park after the gates are closed to the public. On December 17, enjoy an outdoor showing of A Christmas Carol, along with holiday music. A special holiday treat and hot cocoa will be included in the $15 admission price. Registration is required for this event. Gates will open at 5:15pm. Please arrive early and bring a lawn chair and blanket. The event starts at 6pm, and there will be no entry past 6:15pm. An MTP COVID-19 Release Form must be completed and signed at check-in. For more details and to register, visit sholompark.org.

7PLAID TIDINGS // DECEMBER 5-15

In this fun holiday follow-up to Forever Plaid, The Plaids doo-wop group is brought back from heaven to provide a little harmony to the world. Enjoy holiday classics with a bit of a twist, including “Jingle Bells,” “Twuz the Night B4” and “The Dreidel Song.” This holiday performance is lled with fun, laughs and audience favorites, like “Mambo Italiano.” Join Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Francis for a night you won’t soon forget. Ticket prices and show times vary. Tickets begin at $25. For details and to purchase tickets, visit thevillagesentertainment.com. 9 LIGHT UP LAKE LILLIAN FEATURING KRINGLE CHRISTMAS // DECEMBER 5 The City of Belleview will host this annual celebration from 4-8pm at Lake Lillian. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to maintain social distances and wear masks. Following the lighting of the lake, a free holiday movie double feature will be provided. The two 30-minute lms will include Trolls Holiday and Merry Madagascar. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the shows. The event will also include a small craft festival, food, music and a visit with Santa between 4 and 6pm. Children in attendance will receive a goodie bag, plus a coloring book and crayons. Visit the event’s NIGHT OF A MILLION LIGHTS // Facebook page for details.

SELECT NIGHTS THROUGH JANUARY 3

This immersive, walk-through holiday experience will transform the Give Kids The World’s Storybook Villages into a holiday wonderland. Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, storybook nonpro t resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost. The event includes more than 3 million lights, delicious holiday treats, storybook attractions and more. The 150-foot lighted tunnel leads visitors to 45 beautifully decorated wish family residential villas, more than 50 wire-frame displays and a large gingerbread arch. Be sure to check out the out-of-this-world, space-themed décor at Henri’s Starlight Scoops. Admission includes complimentary ice cream and hot cocoa, plus unlimited access to the Village’s rides and attractions. Additional food and drink are available for purchase, plus holiday merchandise and 3-D glasses to bring the event to life. Staggered entry times will allow for social distancing, and masks will be required. The event will take place daily from 5-10pm. For details visit gktw.org. 8 BAD SANTA BAR CRAWL // DECEMBER 12 The Bad Santa Bar Crawl will last from 2-7pm, and ticket prices range from $7 to $15. Participating downtown Ocala locations include The Lodge, Tipsy Skipper, In nite Ale Works, Pi on Broadway, Big Hammock Brewery & Bites and Brick City Southern Kitchen BBQ. This event is open to those ages 21 and over and includes one complimentary drink for each ticket. Dress up is encouraged! Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.com. You can also search Ocala Bar Crawls on Facebook for more information. 10 DEC ‘20