Liberty Village is a short drive up SW 80th from the World Equestrian Center, so a lot of households here won't plan Winter Wonderland as one big December outing. The question that matters is which night to go. Winter Wonderland runs from November 27 through December 23 this year, Wednesday through Sunday, with the lights on from 5 to 9 p.m. That works out to 21 open nights. Only nine of them sell at the lower price, and the last of those is Thursday, December 17. After that the season switches to the higher price for its final six nights.
The ticket page sets two prices. On Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, admission is $8 per person if bought in advance or $11 on the day. On Fridays, Saturdays and the special event dates of December 20 through 23, it's $14 in advance or $16 on the day. Children 4 and under get in free on any night. Tickets are only good for the date printed on them, and they are final sale with no refunds or rain checks.
The season, night by night
Sunday, December 20 counts as a special event date, so it falls in the higher price tier. That's why the lower-priced window closes on Thursday, December 17, six days before the season ends.
| Week | Lower price: $8 advance / $11 day-of | Higher price: $14 advance / $16 day-of |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 to 29 | Sun Nov 29 | Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28 |
| Dec 2 to 6 | Wed Dec 2, Thu Dec 3, Sun Dec 6 | Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5 |
| Dec 9 to 13 | Wed Dec 9, Thu Dec 10, Sun Dec 13 | Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 |
| Dec 16 to 20 | Wed Dec 16, Thu Dec 17 | Fri Dec 18, Sat Dec 19, Sun Dec 20 |
| Dec 21 to 23 | none | Mon Dec 21, Tue Dec 22, Wed Dec 23 |
Here is what that means for a family of four with two children older than 4. Buying ahead costs $32 on a lower-priced night and $56 on a higher-priced one. At the gate it's $44 or $64. Because tickets are tied to a date and can't be refunded, buying ahead locks in both the price and the night.
What every night includes, and what Friday and Saturday add
The core of the event is the same every night. On all 21 nights, the Grand Plaza light displays include a life-size lighted horse and carriage and a walk-through Christmas tree. Santa is in Indoor Arena 2, where families can get a digital keepsake photo and write him a letter. The Grinch's lair is in Indoor Arena 1, with Cindy Lou Who, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and Max. The new virtual reality rides also run every night in Indoor Arena 2. There are two rides, Santa's Enchanted Express and a Magical Sleigh Ride, and they are an $8-per-person add-on to admission.
The higher price pays for a layer of programming that only runs on Fridays, Saturdays and the special event dates, all from 5 to 9 p.m.:
- Line dancing lessons, new this year, outside Miss Tilly's Lollipops
- Enchanted Entertainment across the Grand Plaza, with rotating princesses, superheroes and WEC mascots, plus stilt walkers, acrobats, elves and artists
- Festive Fare on the Grand Plaza, including Wondrous Hot Cocoa, seasonal bites, cash bars for adults, and Emma's Sweet Spot selling holiday goodies
So the $6 difference in advance price buys the performers and the plaza food and drink. A Wednesday or Thursday visit still covers the lights, Santa, the Grinch and the VR rides. For a household close enough to make more than one trip, the season splits naturally: one lower-priced night for the lights and Santa, and one Friday or Saturday for the entertainment.
Emma's Patisserie sells holiday pies and Yule logs, and Miss Tilly's Lollipops sells Christmas treats and sugar cookie decorating kits. Both run daily through December 31, and WEC's boutiques keep seasonal shopping hours that vary. Admission is required to enter the Grand Plaza from 3 to 9 p.m. on Winter Wonderland nights. A pie pickup is simplest on a Monday or Tuesday, when the event is closed, or before 3 p.m.
Last year's lower price had fees on top
Anyone comparing with last year will see higher numbers. In 2025, lower-priced nights were $5 in advance and $7 on the day, and weekend nights were $10 and $12. Taxes and fees were added at checkout. The 2026 prices include tax and fees, so the $8 and $14 shown are what lands on the card. The comparison isn't one-to-one, but it still holds that lower-priced nights cost about half as much as weekend nights.
The add-ons booked on their own tickets
Three separately ticketed events at Connor's Meeting Room in The Equestrian Manor fill out the schedule. Each one lines up with a particular kind of night on the calendar above.
- Breakfast with Santa, Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. on November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19. It includes breakfast, Santa story time at 10 a.m., and photos and gift-giving at 10:15. Tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free with an adult ticket, and taxes and online fees are extra. This is a returning event, and it moves to the Manor this year.
- Kids' Character Brunch, new this year, Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20. The characters change each week, and the prices match Breakfast with Santa.
- Holiday Movie Nights, also new, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays during the season. Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. A beverage station is included, and snack boards, personal pizzas, candy and blankets are for sale.
Every movie night through December 17 falls on a lower-priced Winter Wonderland night, so a lower-priced visit can include both. The Saturday breakfasts fall on higher-priced days, which suits a family planning a full Saturday on the property.
Parking, and where the golf carts go
General parking is on grass lots and other open areas of the property. Accessible parking is at Indoor Arena 2. Buses drop off between Indoor Arenas 1 and 2. VIP parking near Indoor Arena 1 can be bought online for $28 per vehicle. Personal golf carts are not allowed on the plaza during Winter Wonderland. Cart parking is along the west side of Indoor Arena 3, and weekend golf cart shuttles are available for guests who need help getting around. If you want to plan your walk ahead of time, WEC posts an interactive venue map.
Before the lights come on
The season at WEC starts this weekend, two weeks before Winter Wonderland opens, and Thanksgiving week comes next.
- November 13 to 15: The 4th Annual Ocala Holiday Craft Show fills Expo Center 1 with more than 350 vendors and free Santa photos. Friday has advance-preview shopping from 10 a.m. to noon, and general admission runs noon to 4 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $10 per person per day, the Friday preview is $17 in advance or $22 at the door, children 12 and under get in free, and parking is free.
- November 25: Thanksgiving To Go pickup runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meals are $399 for 6 to 8 people or $615 for 12 to 14, plus tax and online fees.
- November 26: The Thanksgiving Buffet at The Equestrian Manor has seatings at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. It costs $135.66 for adults and $44.46 for children ages 6 to 12, children 5 and under are free, and a 14% gratuity is included. Stirrups at The Equestrian Hotel serves a Thanksgiving prix fixe the same day, with seatings at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- December 5 and 12: The Grand Prix Dining Experience on the Equestrian Hotel Terrace serves a three-course dinner overlooking the Grand Outdoor Arena and the Winter Wonderland lights. Doors open at 6 p.m. December tables run from $1,240 for four to $3,100 for ten, gratuity included.
- December 31: New Year's Eve prix fixe dinners are on the calendar at Genievieve's from 5 to 10 p.m. and at Stirrups with seatings at 5 and 8 p.m.
For the rest of the year, WEC's dining is covered in our look at the restaurant row that opened near Liberty Village, and summer along the corridor is in The Liberty Village Summer That Never Leaves SW 80th.
If you have family visiting for the holidays who are curious about what everyday life looks like this close to the World Equestrian Center, our team at Next Generation Realty would be glad to show them around Liberty Village on one of their afternoons in town. Contact Us to set up a time before the lights come on.
