Holiday-Winter 2024 – Ocala

Weekly

Downtown Market (Sat)
Ocala: Shop 80+ vendors and local farmers offering organic produce, goat and dairy products, meats, honey, preserves, seafood, soaps, handcrafted gifts, jewelry, fresh flowers, food trucks and so much more at this family and pet-friendly open-air market. Free. 9am-2pm. Takes place on SE 3rd St and SE 3rd Ave. 
Info: WEBSITE

Weekly

Ocala Polo (Sat., through Oct. 26)
Ocala: Bring a picnic dinner or enjoy a Saturday tailgate from onsite food trucks followed by a night of amazing equine speed and agility as ponies and riders compete for prizes in one of the world’s oldest known sports. Don’t miss your chance for a halftime divot stomp “Pretty Woman” style! Tickets. Takes place 6pm at 11008 S Hwy 475. Info: WEBSITE

Monthly

Third Thursday Sip and Shop
Ocala: Shop ‘til you drop when participating downtown merchants and local vendors stay open late, enjoy complimentary cocktails (21+) and get 15% off at downtown restaurants and bars -make a purchase and show your receipt. Free. Takes place 5-8pm in downtown Ocala. 
Info: WEBSITE

Monthly

First Friday Art Walk (Sept – May)
Ocala: Visit 30+ artist displays, live entertainment, free family art activities, and an eclectic variety of historic downtown shops and restaurants – all open extended hours for your shopping enjoyment. Meet under the Marion Theater marquee to kick off the evening. Free. Takes place 6-9pm at 50 S Magnolia Ave. Info: WEBSITE

Monthly

Free First Saturday
Ocala: Start your month of culture with masterpieces from the museum’s permanent collection, enjoy special exhibitions, visiting artists and performers, get creative in the Artspace and enjoy a selfie or two in the sculpture garden before sampling fare from visiting food trucks. Free. Takes place 10am-5pm at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Info: WEBSITE

November 9 & 10
Ocali Country Days
Ocala: Experience life in 1800s Florida with pioneer cabin tours, old-time craft demos, sugar cane syrup making, live music, great food, tram rides, Silver River Museum tours and more. Tickets. Takes place 9am-4pm at 1445 NE 58th Ave. Info: WEBSITE

November 10
Here Come the Mummies
Ocala: Were they cursed after deflowering a great Pharaoh’s daughter? Or reincarnated Grammy-winning studio musicians? Either way, this 8-piece, 5,000-year-old band with a one-track mind and not-so-ancient stage antics will surely bend your brain and melt your face. Tickets. Showtime 7:30pm at 500 NE 9th St. Info: WEBSITE

November 16
Party in the Park
Ocala: Gather friends for an afternoon of live music, craft beer and wine, food trucks, local artists and craftsmen and an opportunity to browse the latest makes and models from Jenkins Auto Group on display in beautiful Tuscawilla Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the concert. Free. Takes place 12-5pm at 829 NE Sanchez Ave. Info: WEBSITE

November 24
Messiah Community Sing Along
OcalWitness the beauty as 100s of voices come together in a majestic community sing-along of the “Hallelujah” chorus and other selections under the direction of Joshua Mazur. Singers of all abilities and
spectators are invited to celebrate in the joy and unity of Handel’s Messiah.
Tickets. Takes place 5pm at 500 NE 9th St. Info: WEBSITE

 November 29 to December 23
Winter Wonderland
Ocala:  Discover the magic of twinkling lights and larger-than-life holiday decorations, wander the tree maze or the 45-foot walk-through Christmas tree, enjoy live music, strolling street performers and carolers, face painting, visits with Santa and more! Free, parking fee. Takes place 5-9pm at 1750 NW 80th Ave.  Info: WEBSITE

December 6
Symphony Under the Lights
Ocala: Gather your family and friends for festive live music, hot chocolate and the sounds of the season during a free community concert under the incredible oaks of Tuscawilla Park! Bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating. Free. Takes place 7:30pm at 829 NE Sanchez Ave.
Info: WEBSITE

December 7 & 8
Festival at Fort King
Ocala: Travel to the 1800’s with historic-themed crafts, games, living historians, workshops, vendors, food, drinks and more. Don’t miss a spectacular re-enactment of event the fueled the start of the Second Seminole War! Free. Takes place 10am-3pm at 3925 E Fort King St.
Info: WEBSITE

December 7 & 8
Pop Goes the Holidays
Ocala: Celebrate this special time of year with two festive performances featuring seasonal favorites from Mannheim Steamroller, Home Alone, The Nutcracker and more by the incredible OSO musicians and vocalists from the Ocala Symphonic Chorus in this annual sold-out concert. Tickets. Showtimes: Sat: 7:30pm and Sun: 3pm at 500 NE 9th St. Info: WEBSITE

December 20
Blues in the Box
Ocala: Experience an exceptional night of roots rock, blues and soul featuring Tampa’s troubadour Damon Fowler showcasing his extraordinary guitar work that critics compare to Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck and Duane Allman and featuring original compositions and distinctive covers from his latest release Barnyard Smile. Tickets. Showtime 7:30pm at 500 NE 9th St. 
Info: WEBSITE

 January 25 & 26
Vive la France!
Ocala:  Prepare to be whisked away as the Ocala Symphony Orchestra takes you on a musical tour of France featuring Debussy’s ethereal Trois Nocturnes, the exotic rhythms ofCamille Saint-Saëns’ Africa: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, plus Rondo Capriccioso andRavel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2. Tickets. Showtimes Sat: 7:30pm and Sun: 3pm at 500 NE 9th St. Info: WEBSITE

February 15 & 16
Sound and Fury
Ocala: Embark on a journey from the tranquil Scottish coasts to the peaks of human emotion as the OSA performs Mendelssohn’s evocative Hebrides Overture, Anna Clyne’s powerful Sound and Fury and Beethoven’s monumental "Eroica" Symphony. Tickets. Showtimes Sat: 7:30pm and Sun: 3pm at 500 NE 9th St. Info: WEBSITE