The big ones come back every year.
Every annual event that anchors the Ocala and Marion County calendar, season by season, with the crowds they draw. Visitors can plan a trip around them, and vendors and sponsors can plan their year. Exact dates are set by each organizer, so watch the events calendar as each season gets close.
Winter
December, January, and February: horse shows, rodeo season, gala season, and the Christmas Parade.
Christmas Parade
Ocala's biggest holiday tradition fills the downtown streets with floats, bands, and lights on the second Saturday of December.
Est. attendance: 20,000+
Ocala Reindeer Run
The 49th annual holiday 5K in downtown Ocala, presented by the Gaekwad Family. The 5K starts at 4:20 PM at NDS Global, the Rudolph Dash kids run is free, and the first 400 to register and finish take home the custom finisher medal.
Festival at Fort King
Free living-history festival at Fort King National Historic Landmark with pioneer crafts, reenactments, artillery demos, and archaeology talks.
Est. attendance: 2,000 to 3,000
AdventHealth Grandview Invitational
A premier combined-driving competition on Marion County's winter equestrian calendar, presented by AdventHealth.
Est. attendance: 8,000 to 12,000
City of Ocala Otrak Chalk Walk
Juried chalk art competition at Tuscawilla Art Park with live music, food trucks, and hands-on chalk art for the whole family.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Grandview Invitational
The long-running January driving invitational, a fixture of Marion County's winter horse-show season.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Mid Florida Tractor Pullers Assoc
Antique and modified tractors go head-to-head in a January tractor pull with the Mid Florida Tractor Pullers Association.
Est. attendance: Thousands
MLK March
The community marches through Ocala each January to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
Est. attendance: Thousands
New Years with Ocala Mainstreet
Ocala Main Street's downtown New Year's celebration, ringing in the new year in the heart of the city.
Est. attendance: 2,000+
Ocala Leadership Conference
The team behind Live2Lead gathers local leaders for its annual January leadership conference.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Ocala Main street New Years
A New Year's celebration with Ocala Main Street in downtown Ocala as the calendar turns.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Boys & Girls Club Bourbon in the Barn Gala
A bourbon-tasting gala in a barn setting that raises funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Bubba Raceway Winter Nationals
Dirt-track racers from across the country open their season at Bubba Raceway Park's Winter Nationals.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Equine Expo
A February expo for horse owners and riders with vendors, demonstrations, and equine industry exhibits.
Florida Mopar Assoc Car Show at FHP
Mopar classics and modern muscle take over the Florida Horse Park for the Florida Mopar Association's annual show.
Est. attendance: Thousands
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit
Weeks of hunter and jumper competition at HITS Post Time Farm anchor Ocala's winter horse-show season.
Est. attendance: 4,000+
Kids Central Gala
Kids Central's annual gala raises funds for the foster-care and family services it provides across the region.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Marion County Father Daughter Dance
Dads and daughters dress up for a night of dancing at Marion County's annual Father Daughter Dance.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Marion County Florida Tax Collector Car Show
The Marion County Tax Collector's annual car show brings out classic cars and community fun each February.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Outdoor Valor Gala
An annual gala backing Outdoor Valor's work with local veterans.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Raney's Road to Wishes
Raney's annual truck-show fundraiser rolls out in support of Make-A-Wish wishes for local kids.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Run For the Springs by MC
Marion County's annual fun run raising awareness and support for the springs.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Silver River Knap In @ Silver Springs
Flintknappers and primitive-skills demonstrators gather at Silver Springs for the annual Silver River Knap-In.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Six Gun Territory at Kirby Farms
The South's largest Wild West shindig at Kirby Family Farm, with train rides, shootouts, Can-Can dancers, and the original gunfighters.
Est. attendance: Thousands
The Grand Oaks Classic
The Grand Oaks Classic brings combined driving competition to the Grand Oaks Resort each winter.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Travis Mills Foundation Concert at Sheltair
A benefit concert at Sheltair Aviation supporting the Travis Mills Foundation's work with recalibrated veterans.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
United Way Childrens Charity Classic at HITS
A charity classic at HITS benefiting United Way of Marion County's programs for children.
Est. attendance: Thousands
VOCAL Gala
VOCAL's annual gala raises funds for the dogs and cats in its Ocala rescue and shelter programs.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Ocala Holiday Craft Show - Ballantine
Ocala's favorite holiday shopping tradition at WEC: 350+ artists and crafters, holiday decor, specialty foods, and free Santa photos.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Brick City Bluegrass Festival
An afternoon of bluegrass at Citizens' Circle with Yonder Mountain String Band, Appalachian Road Show, and more.
Est. attendance: 1,500 to 2,500
Ocala Symphony Orchestra
Ocala's own symphony orchestra performs its concerts at the Reilly Arts Center.
Est. attendance: 1,000+
Ocala’s Bull Bash & Country Music Festival
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion · produced by Tampa Bay Rodeo · PBR bull riding, then Clay Walker live in concert with special guest Lee Greenwood
Spring
March through May: festival season at full tilt, from the Strawberry Festival to Symphony Under the Stars.
Florida Springs Fest
A March celebration of Florida's springs at Silver Springs State Park with exhibits, activities, and springs science.
Est. attendance: Several thousand
Habitat Strawberry Festival
Habitat for Humanity's sweetest fundraiser: a March weekend of strawberry treats, rides, and live entertainment.
Est. attendance: 37,000+
King of the Wing
Restaurants battle for the best wings in town at this March wing festival and tasting competition.
Est. attendance: 10,000+
Live Oak International
World-class combined driving and show jumping at Live Oak Stud, one of the top equestrian events in the country each March.
Est. attendance: 15,000 to 20,000
Longines League of Nations™ at WEC
Team show jumping at its highest level: nations compete in the Longines League of Nations at World Equestrian Center.
Est. attendance: 10,000+
Marion County Day
A free community celebration of Marion County's birthday, with exhibits, entertainment, and county services on display.
Est. attendance: 10,000+
Santos Fat Tire Festival (MTB)
Mountain bikers take over the Santos trails for a March weekend of rides, demos, and camping at the Fat Tire Festival.
Est. attendance: 400+ participants
Southeastern Pro Rodeo
PRCA rodeo action returns to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion each March with bull riding, barrel racing, and roping.
Spring Craft Fair - Ballantine Mgmt
Ballantine's spring craft fair fills WEC with handmade goods, gifts, and seasonal finds each March.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Super Gigantic Garage Sale - Ballantine
Ballantine's giant community garage sale brings hundreds of sellers and bargain hunters to WEC each spring.
Est. attendance: Thousands
The Horseman Symposium
A March symposium for horse owners and riders with clinics, speakers, and equine education.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
The Ocala Boat Show - Ballantine Mgmt
Boats, gear, and everything for life on the water at Ballantine's annual Ocala Boat Show.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Earthfest at Arbor Day
Ocala's Arbor Day Earthfest pairs tree plantings and giveaways with eco exhibits and family fun each April.
Est. attendance: 2,000 to 4,000
Hot Cars & Cool Cats
Classic cars and adoptable cats team up at this April car show benefiting the Humane Society of Marion County.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Isaiah 117 Golf Tournament
Golfers hit the links to support Isaiah 117 House and its care for children entering foster care.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Battle of the Brushes
Artists paint live against the clock and the crowd picks a winner at this May art battle.
Est. attendance: ~1,000+
Festivals of Speed
Exotic cars, luxury brands, and high-octane style take over World Equestrian Center for Festivals of Speed.
Est. attendance: 2,000–4,000+
Kentucky Derby @ Wec
World Equestrian Center's Kentucky Derby celebration, with the Run for the Roses on the big screens.
Est. attendance: 5000+
Swing For Memories Golf Tournament
A charity golf tournament raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer's and memory care.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
Symphony Under the Stars
A Mother's Day tradition: the Ocala Symphony performs outdoors under the stars.
Est. attendance: 20,000+
Brick City Beer & Wine Festival
Craft beer and wine tastings take over downtown Ocala for this spring festival.
Est. attendance: 3,000–5,000+
Kids Central 5K at Calesa
A family 5K at the Calesa Township community raising support for Kids Central's foster-care mission.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Summer
June through August: Fourth of July celebrations, movies in the park, and the biggest concert weekend of the year.
PTSD Awareness Walk
A June walk raising awareness and support for veterans and others living with PTSD.
Est. attendance: 1,000+
Christmas in July Arts/Crafts @WEC Ballantine
Ballantine brings holiday shopping to July with arts and crafts vendors at the World Equestrian Center.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Patriotic Celebration OTOW
On Top of the World celebrates the Fourth of July with its patriotic community celebration.
Est. attendance: ~5,000+
Patriotic Skys
Ocala's Fourth of July fireworks light up the sky at the city's Patriotic Skies celebration.
Est. attendance: ~5,000+
Ocala Back to School Bash
Families gear up for the school year with supplies, resources, and fun at this August back-to-school bash.
After Dark in the Park
Free outdoor movie nights in Ocala parks: bring a chair and watch under the stars.
Est. attendance: 500 to 1,000 per movie night
Rock The Country
A two-day country music festival brings national headliners and thousands of campers to Ocala each summer.
Est. attendance: ~30,000/day + 6,000 campers
Fall
September through November: arts festivals, football season weekends, Light Up Ocala, and the Food and Wine Festival.
Ocala Wellness Expo
A September day of health screenings, wellness vendors, and resources for living well in Ocala.
Ocala Arts Festival (FAFO)
Fine Arts For Ocala's juried downtown festival brings 150+ artists, live entertainment, and food trucks each October.
Est. attendance: ~15,000–20,000
Ocala Health & Wellness Expo
AdventHealth Ocala powers this free health and wellness expo at WEC Expo Center 1 each October.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Ocala Women's Expo
A free day at Paddock Mall with vendors, resources, and fun aimed at Ocala women.
Pet Palooza @WEC by Ballantine
A two-day pet expo at WEC with adoptable dogs, vendors, demos, and family fun.
Est. attendance: Thousands
Light Up Ocala / Winter Wonderland
Downtown's holiday kickoff: a Kids' Zone, live music, Santa, vendors, and the big lighting ceremony.
Est. attendance: 5,000–10,000+
Marion County Chili Cook-Off
The 45th annual cook-off at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion: chili sampling, live music, a car show, and people's-choice voting.
MCBIA Parade of Homes
Tour model homes across Marion County over two November weekends in the MCBIA Parade of Homes.
Ocala Senior Expo
A free, fun day at Paddock Mall connecting seniors and families with services, health resources, and giveaways.
Ocali Country Days
Old-Florida folk life at Silver River Museum: blacksmithing, spinning, syrup making, Seminole arts, music, and food.
Est. attendance: ~1,200/day + weekend crowd
Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War Reenact
A living-history weekend at Florida Horse Park reenacting the 1865 Ocklawaha River raid, Marion County's only Civil War battle.
Est. attendance: 2,000 to 4,000
Live2Lead Ocala
John Maxwell’s annual leadership conference at Church of Hope Auditorium · free with breakfast · leadocala.com
YMCA Turkey Trot
Burn off Thanksgiving dinner early at the Frank DeLuca YMCA's Turkey Trot run on Thanksgiving morning.
Est. attendance: 3,000+
Outdoor Expo @ WEC
Hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear take over World Equestrian Center for this late-summer outdoor expo.
Est. attendance: Several thousand
Habitat Bowl-a-thon
Teams hit the lanes at the Swamp Bowl-a-Thon to raise money for Marion County Habitat for Humanity homes.
Est. attendance: 200+ Participants
McIntosh 1890s Festival
A beloved small-town tradition under McIntosh's oak-lined streets: fine art, crafts, vintage goods, food, and live entertainment.
Est. attendance: 1,500–2,500
Ocala Food & Wine Festival @WEC
A three-day chef-led festival at WEC with grand tastings, chef dinners, and a jazz brunch.
Est. attendance: 5,000–7,000
Two Rivers Music Festival (Dunnellon)
Live music fills Dunnellon, where the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers meet, for this fall festival.
Est. attendance: 3,000 to 5,000
Year-round & recurring
On their own rhythm all year long: ArtWalk Fridays, the WEC calendar, quarterly derby bouts, and more.
1st Friday ArtWalk
Downtown galleries and artists line the Square on the first Friday of the month, September through May.
Est. attendance: Several thousand
Ocala Comic Con
Cosplay, comics, gaming, and celebrity guests fill Ocala's own comic convention.
Est. attendance: 1,500–3,000
Ocala Roller Derby at Downtown Market
Ocala's roller derby skaters bout at the Downtown Market in quarterly matchups.
Est. attendance: Hundreds
WEC Equestrian Series
Hunter and jumper shows, dressage, and more: world-class horse shows run at World Equestrian Center all year long.
Est. attendance: Hundreds–Thousands
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Organizers, vendors, and sponsors
Run an annual event that belongs on this list? It is a living page and we keep adding to it. Want your business in front of the crowds these events draw? Talk to us about sponsoring the seasons your customers care about.