Holiday Magic and Traffic to Merge near Dorothy B. Oven Park

Elf Night Coming December 18

December 17, 2025

Get your merry spirit ready as holiday magic and evening traffic merge near the City of Tallahassee’s annual Elf Night event on Thursday, Dec. 18. The event takes place from 5:30-8 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road.

For safety reasons, vehicles will not be allowed to drive through Oven Park during the event. Free public parking will be available next to the park at Thomasville Road Baptist Church, 3131 Thomasville Road.

Motorists traveling along Thomasville Road on Elf Night are urged to slow down and drive with caution in the vicinity of the park. Pedestrians and law enforcement will be present.

Drivers who typically use Thomasville Road and are not attending Elf Night should use an alternate route. Delays are expected due to heavier than normal traffic along the road during the event.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a whole host of elves will make an appearance at Elf Night. If you’d like to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, upon arrival, check in on the front lawn to be assigned a ticket number on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets are claimed. While enjoying Elf Night, parents will want to have their cameras ready to record all the smiles and wonderment on their children’s faces. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa’s little helpers, while supplies last.

Over 150,000 lights twinkle against the night sky in Oven Park. The holiday light display opened on Thanksgiving night and remains open through Jan. 1 from 6-10 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30-11 p.m. on weekends. Every night except Elf Night, visitors can drive through or walk the grounds, weather permitting. Use caution if driving through the park.

For more information about Elf Night and the holiday light display at Dorothy B. Oven Park, call the special holiday hotline at 850-891-3555.