Light Up Lake Lillian is returning to the city of Belleview next weekend.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Lillian, which is located on SE Robinson Road.

Belleview city officials cancelled the annual Christmas Parade last month due to a shortage of staff and volunteers.

Light Up Lake Lillian will feature a variety of family-friendly festivities, including a visit with Santa, games, food trucks (Big Lee’s – Serious About Barbecue, Kona Ice Ocala, and Papa Pineapples), crafts, bounce houses, and an abundance of Christmas lights.

The event will also host a double-feature of two 30-minute movies: “Smurfs: A Christmas Carol” and “Shrek the Halls.” Anyone planning on watching the movies should bring a chair and blankets for their families, according to a press release from the city.

Multiple light up celebrations, parades, and lighted drives will be open around Marion County during the upcoming weeks.

The Ocala Christmas Parade will return this year on Saturday, December 11 after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

This weekend, the Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular kicks off its new, drive-thru light display at the Florida Horse Park.

The 37th installment of Light Up Ocala brought thousands of visitors to the Historic Downtown Square last week, and the lights will remain strung through the end of the holiday season. 

For more information, visit the Light Up Lake Lillian Facebook event page.