There is so much happening this holiday season in Citrus County, including light shows, heritage festivals and much more.
If you need a quick getaway this winter, before or after the holiday festivities hit your home, look no further than Florida’s Crystal River region.
In Citrus County, they know how to celebrate and bring people together for a bit of old-fashioned fun. Consider planning a trip around one of their signature events and enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of the holiday season in Crystal River and its surrounding cities of Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City.
Read on for the “must-do” winter event list to start planning your visit!
Olde Fashioned Christmas & Iconic Tree Lighting – Nov. 30 – Inverness
Visitors can join in the fun as Inverness lights its community Christmas tree, adorned with 3,500 lights and a musical light show. This free, family-friendly event takes place in front of the Historic Courthouse downtown, where the light show can be enjoyed throughout December.
Light Up the Lake – Dec. 2 – Inverness
Kids will love this Christmas celebration in Inverness, featuring train rides, live music and light displays at Liberty Park, a boat parade, and a visit from Santa himself. Visitors can enjoy the local competition for Lamp Post Decorations, too.
Crystal River Christmas Tree Lighting Festival at First Friday – Dec. 6 – Crystal River
Come on down to Crystal River on the first Friday of every month to enjoy live music, food and drinks along main street, and local crafters/makers.
This First Friday will be extra cheerful as we kick off the holiday season in a twinkling winter wonderland with food, drinks, falling snow and Santa Claus.
Floral City Heritage Days – Candles, Carriages & Carolers – Dec. 6 – Floral City
Step back into the quaint and charming era of Floral City’s early days for a fun and educational old time Christmas celebration. Luminaries will light up Town Center Park and downtown Floral City, as volunteers dressed in period attire lead tours of historic homes and the museum. The event will also feature live demonstrations, horse cart rides, food, music and plenty of good company.
Fort Cooper Nights of Lights – Dec. 13-14 – Inverness
This holiday event is must-see. Stroll through this beautiful state park under a canopy of sparkling lights, make your own s’mores, and enjoy holiday music and refreshments. Instead of an entrance fee, guests are asked to bring a food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet feed for Citrus County Animal Services.
Celebration of Lights – Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 19-22 – Homosassa
The community can expect to see different entertainment and refreshments nightly at this festive event at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Enjoy Sebastian’s Winter Wonderland, a synchronized light and sound show and more. Donations will benefit the Friends of Homosassa Springs.
Florida Manatee Festival – Jan. 18-19, 2025 – Crystal River
The 38th Annual Florida Manatee Festival kicks off the New Year in Crystal River with manatee boat and kayak tours, live entertainment on three stages, kids’ activities, the “Hippie Village” at Heritage House, and more. For the Manatee Capital of the World, this event is a staple!
About Crystal River, Florida
Renowned as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River, Florida, is one of North America’s premier destinations for swimming with manatees.
On a guided eco tour, you can enjoy an up-close encounter with these gentle giants. The city’s certified local guides ensure that this beloved, threatened species is treated with the utmost respect, using responsible passive observation techniques approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Located on Central Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River and the surrounding cities of Old Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City are an authentic showcase of outdoor adventure and scenic beauty. Within tens of thousands of acres of protected state parks, forests and wildlife refuges, visitors can explore miles of bicycling, walking, birding, horseback riding and hiking trails to unlock a wild and wonderful world of natural, recreational and archaeological treasures.
Pristine swimmable springs and a shimmering network of rivers, lakes, marshlands and mangroves make Crystal River perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, boating, fishing, scalloping and floating. Feeding the fun is a creative collection of restaurants, pubs, bistros and bars serving up freshly caught seafood and other seasonal favorites all year long.
Begin your adventure at DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com.
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