World Equestrian Center – Ocala Winter Wonderland

Presented by AdventHealth

Winter Wonderland

Step into the magic of the season as over one million twinkling lights transform World Equestrian Center – Ocala into a dazzling Winter Wonderland! Join us Wednesday through Sunday for festive fun and holiday cheer.

Event Dates

2026 Coming Soon

Open to the Public

Wednesday–Sunday, 5pm-9pm

Special Entertainment

Every Friday and Saturday plus Special Event Dates

Holiday Lights

Nightly at 5pm

A Season of Cheer

From breathtaking decorations to festive fun for the whole family, this holiday tradition is guaranteed to fill your evenings with cheer. Meet Santa Claus in Indoor Arena 2 or sneak off for some mischievous fun with the Grinch in Indoor Arena 1.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the wonder grows with a full lineup of live holiday entertainment, including a rotating cast of characters, face painters, balloon artists, and festive seasonal bites. Don’t miss the heartwarming and ever-popular Breakfast With Santa event on select dates to get in the spirit of the season! *Sold separately

Note: Guests of The Equestrian Hotel enjoy complimentary admission to Winter Wonderland.

Santa Claus sits on a red throne, addressing a group of children gathered in front of him, with decorated Christmas trees and festive decorations in the background.
A child poses for a photo with a person dressed as the Grinch in front of a mirror, while two people take pictures.
A woman and four children stand on a red carpet under a tunnel of holiday lights, posing for a photo and smiling at the camera.
A performer in a red jacket stands atop a tall stack of chairs with arms outstretched, facing a nighttime crowd gathered in an outdoor plaza decorated with holiday lights.
A man and a young girl sit on a decorative vehicle covered in holiday lights at an outdoor event, with people and festive lighting in the background.

Admission Prices

Dates: Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday

Ticketed Entry Only: 3pm-9pm
  • Advanced Purchase: TBD
  • Day Of: TBD
  • Free for Children 4 and Under

*Taxes and Fees Additional
*Tickets are final sale. Refunds and rain checks are not available.

Dates: Friday, Saturday and Special Event Dates TBD

Ticketed Entry Only: 3pm-9pm
  • Advanced Purchase: TBD
  • Day Of: TBD
  • Free for Children 4 and Under

*Taxes and Fees Additional
*Tickets are final sale. Refunds and rain checks are not available.

A large illuminated arena with decorated trees and holiday lights is shown at dusk, with a grand building in the background and the sky glowing orange and purple.

Advance Purchase Savings

Limited tickets are available, purchase early to enjoy a discounted rate! Admission tickets are required for event entry starting at 3pm.

Event Schedule

Holiday Lights | Wednesday through Sunday

5pm-9pm

Take pictures worthy of any holiday card with friends and family at one of many show-stopping feature displays on the Grand Plaza, like a life-sized lighted horse and carriage, walk-through Christmas tree and so much more.

Meet Santa | Wednesday through Sunday

5pm-9pm in Indoor Arena 2

Have you been good this year? Santa is taking a special break from his workshop to visit WEC Winter Wonderland. Capture the tender moment with a digital keepsake selfie photo and write a letter to Santa.

The Grinch | Wednesday through Sunday

5pm-9pm in Indoor Arena 1

Step into Whoville for a photo-op with the Grinch! Find Cindy Lou Who, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and Max at the Grinch’s lair.

Holiday Sweets | Daily

Through December 31

Enjoy a holiday pie from Emma’s Patisserie or take home a festive box of sugar cookie cutouts to decorate from Miss Tilly’s Lollipops, perfect for holiday gifting!

Seasonal Shopping | Daily

Hours Vary

Discover the perfect gift for under the tree. Mix and mingle with friends and family while finding that special something you’ve been searching for, or just spoil yourself!

Enchanted Entertainment | Friday & Saturday, Plus Special Event Dates

5pm-9pm, WEC Grand Plaza

Your favorite princesses and superheroes rotate appearances alongside cheery caricaturists, face painters and balloon artists throughout the plaza spreading joy and fun.

Festive Fare | Friday & Saturday, Plus Special Event Dates

5pm-9pm, WEC Grand Plaza

Find festive food on the plaza including Wondrous Hot Cocoa, seasonal bites and sweet treats. Festive beverages and spirits are available for adults at designated cash bars.

Luxurious hotel lobby with black marble floors, elegant chandeliers, holiday decorations, a large Christmas tree, and plush seating areas.

Stay Enchanted

Make the holidays magical when you stay on-site at World Equestrian Center. Reserve a Winter Wonderland two-night stay package for an enchanted experience for the whole family at The Equestrian Hotel or The Riding Academy Hotel. Available on select dates. Two-night minimum stay required. Package pricing based on occupancy.

Winter Wonderland Packages Include:

  • Two-Night Hotel Stay
  • Tickets to Breakfast with Santa (Available only on the following dates: TBD)
  • Admission to Winter Wonderland featuring more than a million lights and show-stopping decorations
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating Kit
  • Mystery Stocking (Option for custom embroidery at an additional cost)
  • Commemorative WEC Ornament

Special Holiday Events

Breakfast with Santa

TBD

Gather for a magical breakfast from 9am-11am including story time with Santa, children’s crafts and photo opportunities. Children will receive a complimentary gift of Santa’s choosing!

9am | Breakfast with Santa
10am | Santa Storytime
10:15am | Photos with Santa & Gift Giving

Corporate Winter Wonderland Buyout

This holiday season, the WEC Grand Plaza can be yours alone! Bring your group to a private experience of Winter Wonderland with over a million dazzling lights.  

Celebrate with festive entertainment, magical photo moments and visits from Santa and the Grinch. Perfect for corporate parties, holiday gatherings, and year-end celebrations. 

Parking & Transportation

  • General Parking will be located in the brand new parking garage near The Riding Academy Hotel with overflow on grass and other property areas where space allows.
  • Bus parking is available on-site. Drop-off location is between Indoor Arena 1 and Indoor Arena 2.
  • Upgrade to VIP parking close to the event space at Indoor Arena 1 for $25 per vehicle, available for advanced purchase online.
  • Accessible parking will be available at Indoor Arena 2.
  • Personal golf carts will not be allowed on the plaza during Winter Wonderland. Golf cart parking is available along the west side of the Indoor Arena 3.
  • Weekend golf cart shuttles will be available for those who require assistance.

Venue Access

Winter Wonderland Highlights

Two large decorated Christmas trees with lights stand in a plaza at night, with people gathered around and flags flying in the background.
Santa Claus sits on a red and gold chair, hugging a small child, with a decorated Christmas tree and ornaments in the background.
Three kids pose for a photo with a person in a Grinch costume dressed as Santa, while another person takes their picture in a room lit with green light.
A group poses in front of a decorated Christmas tree, including people in costumes resembling characters from "Frozen" and a woman holding a child.

Follow Us

World Equestrian Center – Ocala Resort