Symphony, art and more: A look ahead on the Ocala/Marion entertainment calendar

The Wood Brothers: Live music with The Wood Brothers will come to the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala, Dec. 2. Showtimes and tickets at reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

First Friday Art Walk: The First Friday Art Walk returns to the downtown Ocala area from 6-9 p.m. Dec 3. Hands-on art activities and demonstrations, local artists selling works, plus sidewalk buskers, and live musical performances on the downtown square.

Symphony Under the Lights: Enjoy the sounds of the season, free, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and the Ocala Youth Symphony at Tuscawilla Park at Reilly’s outdoor stage, the Jenkins Open Air Theatre, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Details at reillyartscenter.com.

Safe dining: 1 closed, 1 failed, 5 were perfect in Marion County restaurant inspections for Nov. 8-13

Small Business Saturday in Ocala: 'Every dollar spent in a small business makes a difference'

Free First Saturday: Admission to the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, will be free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4. Details at appletonmuseum.org or call 291-4455.

Light Up Lake Lillian: The annual event will be held at Lake Lillian from 3-8 p.m. Dec. 4. Crafts, food, music and a visit with Santa (4-6 p.m.) "The festival will end at dark with the 'Lighting Up' of Lake Lillian, followed by a double feature with two free 30-minute movies. Citizens that would like to enjoy the movies, should bring a chair or blankets for their families," organizers said in a news release.

Pops! Goes the Holidays!: The Ocala Symphony Orchestra will showcase one of its popular signature events at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. The event will bring to life Howard Blake’s score to the animated film, “The Snowman,” and more. Tickets and details at reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band: "A Christmas Prelude" concert will be performed at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Marion Technical Institute, 1614 SE Fort King St., Ocala. Free, but donations are accepted. Call 390-0491 or visit http://kingdomofthesunband.org.

The Urban Family Community Day: Enjoy free admission Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, on this annual community day event celebrating "A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Exhibition." Visit appletonmuseum.org or call 291-4455 for details. The exhibit itself is up Nov. 16-Jan. 9.

'The people's museum': Black History Museum of Marion County is open again in west Ocala

Ocala Christmas Parade: The parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11. The theme is "A Heroes' Christmas," and the grand marshal will be Ben Marciano. The parade begins on Southeast 25th Avenue then goes west on Silver Springs Boulevard to Northeast Eighth Avenue.

Pure Heart: This group will take you on a journey through time performing the best classic hits by Heart at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. For details visit windfm.com/2020/11/pureheart.

The Amazzing Steel Drums: This group will be in concert at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala, at 3 p.m. Dec. 12. "The group, creating 'the happiest music on earth,' plays as a full steel pan orchestra on instruments made from 55-gallon steel drums, locally handcrafted by Tom Reynolds (www.tropicalhammer.com) who is a native of St. Croix and now resides in Sanford," organizers said. More at www.goodspiritfoundation.com. A love offering will be taken. For information, call 352-237-4633

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Ocala Christmas Parade and more December events