‘Tis the season to be jolly…..and visit the manatee capital of the world for a full array of Holiday delights! This is our favorite time of year and we love to participate in all the fun activities that this area offers! Again this year we will be in the Crystal River Parade… passing out candy and spreading the manatee love! We are going to team up with other Manatee Companies and Kayak Companies to do a float for the Manatee Eco-Tourism Association (META) . We can pool all our resources, get all our smiling faces together and have the greatest FLOAT EVER! What a super way to come together, bond and experience the Holiday cheer first hand! Even though Crystal River is a small town, people come from miles around for this world class parade!
One of our other favorite highlights is Light Show at the Homosassa Wildlife Park. This unique and breathtaking display is AMAZING! Millions of lights, all coordinated with music and supplemented with live activities from choirs, live bands and even Elvis! No matter what type of music you like, there is a night for you. The 360 degree effects of the lightshow will have you leaving saying WOW!
And finally… don’t forget about the Annual Manatee Festival! Artists, vendors, boat rides and of course our beloved manatees make this weekend a highlight for all in the area. Don’t miss it!
Here’s a thorough listing of all the fun that is coming!
December 1, 2017
WHOVILLE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL - CRYSTAL RIVER
Little Springs Park, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
Little Springs Park and downtown come alive with the lights and sounds of Christmas and the beloved Dr. Seuss book The Grinch Who Stole Christmas for this holiday celebration. Hundreds of Whoville residents roam the streets in their best costumes. Meet the Whoville characters, see the movie on the big screen, sit with Santa, shopping vendors, food and drinks and so much more.
For detailed information on these events, please visit www.crystalriverfl.org or www.facebook.com/CityofCrystalRiver.
December 1, 2017 - December 2, 2017
FLORAL CITY HERITAGE DAYS
East Orange Avenue, E Orange Ave, Floral City, FL 34436, USA
Horse cart rides, luminaries and historic home tours in the Floral City Historic District (National Register of Historic Places) are only the beginning of the fun at this cheery, turn-of-the-twentieth-century inspired holiday festival.
December 2, 2017 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
CRYSTAL RIVER ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Southeast US Highway 19, SE US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA
A parade filled with Christmas and community cheer leading to a climactic flight of Santa, Mrs. Claus and their flying Manatees into the winter night.
December 8, 2017-December 10, 2017
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS - FORT COOPER STATE PARK
Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 Old Floral City Rd, Inverness, FL 34450, USA
The "Night of Lights" is an annual celebration at historic Fort Cooper State Park on the second weekend of December. The wooded lakeside park comes alive with abundant lighted displays and holiday music to fill the air. A fire pit provides the perfect venue to toast marshmallows and make "s'mores" while you sip a cup of Hot Cocoa or Cider. Santa and Mrs. Claus greet children of any age with kind holiday cheer and a rumbling ho, ho, ho!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.
December 8, 2017 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
LIGHT UP INVERNESS
1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450, USA
Inverness welcomes in the holiday season with spectacular lighting ceremony. Don't miss this!
5p.m. – 8 p.m.
December 9, 2017 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
INVERNESS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Downtown Inverness, Florida
The elves will be out in force along with Santa Claus at this stirring Christmas parade beneath the palm trees and Old Courthouse Square.
December 15, 2017 @ 5:00 pm-December 16, 2017 @ 8:00 am
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER - INVERNESS
Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450, USA
Spend an evening in downtown Inverness with live music, car cruise-in hosted by Citrus MOPARS and dining and shopping specials every third Friday of the month.
December 19, 2017-December 24, 2017
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS - E.S. HOMOSASSA SPRINGS WILDLIFE S.P.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park West Entrance, 9350 W Fishbowl Dr, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA
Each evening, December 19 through December 24, 5:30pm to 9pm.
The annual Celebration of Lights at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park will run six evenings from December 19 through Christmas Eve, and then again on December 26 for an after-Christmas party. The community is invited to come and enjoy Sebastian’s Winter Wonderland, a spectacular, synchronized light and sound show. A variety of entertainment will be offered nightly and refreshments will be available. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
The suggested donation is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children.
December 26, 2017 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS AFTER CHRISTMAS PARTY
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park West Entrance, 9350 W Fishbowl Dr, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA
The annual Celebration of Lights at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park concludes on December 26 with a festive after-Christmas party. The community is invited to come and enjoy Sebastian’s Winter Wonderland, a spectacular, synchronized light and sound show. A variety of entertainment will be offered nightly and refreshments will be available. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
January 13, 2018-January 14, 2018
FLORIDA MANATEE FESTIVAL
N Citrus Avenue and Kings Bay Park, Crystal River, FL 34428
Florida's Premier Manatee Festival in the Manatee Capital of the World. Food, art, crafts, entertainment, and a chance to see the incredible manatees of Three Sisters Springs.