Daily
Ocala
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 20th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Magical Dream Builders Inc is hosting its second annual Operation Winter Wonderland Toy Drive, aiming to collect 100 bikes for 100 kids and share toys with local families to build happy memories. WCJB
- ➤ Marion County is offering holiday food, meals, and gift programs to help families in need + resources include grocery boxes from Interfaith Emergency Services and toy donations from the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program available in Ocala this season. Ocala-News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Former councilwoman Mary Sue Rich (85) died peacefully early Thursday, leaving a legacy of 24 years on City Council and 30 years as a probation officer. The community honors her with a namesake center built in 2023 that serves as a lasting tribute to her service. WCJB
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Families in Ocala will enjoy fresh ideas to celebrate New Year’s Eve with kid-friendly fun + engaging activities for every member of the home as they welcome the new year. Ocala Gazette
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ On Dec. 12, 14th Street Plaza in east Ocala was sold for $3.125 million to 404 Fraser Circle Holdings, LLC — a Georgia-based self-storage operator — with no announced future plans for the property at 1007 NE 14th Street. Ocala-News
- ➤ A Florida Realtors report showed Ocala’s new home sales dropped 7% and average prices fell 5% in November, even as the city was noted as the nation’s second top migration destination this year while Gainesville saw a 14% sales jump with prices rising 3%. WCJB
- ➤ Ocala is among the top-searched move destinations today; the MoveBuddha Migration Report shows a ratio of 3.09 and a 74.2% rise in online interest from last year that ranks the city second after Myrtle Beach, signaling growing appeal for affordable retirement living. Ocala-News
-
Winter Wonderland Holiday Market
12-4 p.m. — Ocala Downtown Market — Free entry — Experience a magical holiday market filled with festive cheer and fun for the whole family.
-
Christmas Eve Service
6:30-7:30 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Free entry — Celebrate Christmas Eve with music, carols, and a meaningful message.
-
Young Artist Competition - Honors Recital
3-5 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — Complimentary tickets for subscribers — Experience the inspiring performances of young musicians competing for soloist opportunities with the Ocala Symphony.
-
Cherokee Jazz and Rock Night
6-9 p.m. — The Pavilion at Green Gaits — Free entry — Enjoy smooth saxophone melodies and keyboard classics in a lively jazz and rock performance.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ocala
Welcome to the Daily Ocala, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Ocala, Florida community. If you like the Daily Ocala, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Ocala.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Ocala and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Ocala
A free Ocala community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyocala.com/sitemap