OCALA, Florida – November 9, 2022 – World Equestrian Center – Ocala invites guests and visitors alike to experience the enchantment of the holiday season during Winter Wonderland. The family friendly event is back for a second year, covering the WEC Grand Plaza in the glow of more than a million lights.
Starting November 25, Winter Wonderland will light up the plaza to spread Christmas cheer Thursdays through Sundays from 5pm to 9pm leading up to Christmas Eve. The halls of the Grand Plaza will be decked with all the traditional regalia of the season, along with larger-than-life ornaments and a Christmas tree maze, dedicated kid’s zone and a 45-foot walk-through Christmas tree. Families can meet Santa Claus, send letters to the North Pole, and even get tickets to share breakfast with Jolly Old Saint Nick on The Equestrian Hotel’s terrace at Stirrups on select dates. A $30 parking fee per vehicle will be in place Thursday through Sunday throughout Winter Wonderland.
With no shortage of enchanting entertainment, this year’s Winter Wonderland will feature a lineup of heartwarming roving acts, including Christmas carolers, holiday stilt walkers, jump roping toy soldiers and power skipping elves. Favorite superheroes and princesses will make appearances, alongside caricaturists, face painters and balloon artists rotating throughout the weeks.
On Friday evenings, attendees can catch free concerts on the Grand Plaza. Among other entertainers, the Holiday Show on Wheels will be returning to spread Christmas cheer in their antique Holiday Roadster decked out in vintage lights. Special ticketed concerts on select Saturdays will feature rockin’ holiday performances with three different bands.
Other highlights include s’mores stations for roasting and cash bars for toasting, and an entire North Pole Cafe full of the familiar tastes of Christmas and delectable holiday sweets. Yellow Pony Pub & Garden will host Ugly Sweater Contests on Thursday evenings throughout Winter Wonderland with a winner chosen in the pub at 9pm. And don’t forget to put on your jingle bells on December 3 for the 6pm Tinsel Trot 5K Run and Walk that will feature festive décor, lights and entertainment along the race route.
Winter Wonderland is free to enter; parking is $30 per vehicle (general and accessible), or $50 VIP. Parking fees will be in place starting at 3pm Thursday through Sunday throughout Winter Wonderland. Visit wecwinterwonderland.com for all the enchanting details.