Fall Festivities in Ocala/Marion County, Florida

Fall is here and it’s the perfect time to be outdoors enjoying Ocala/Marion County.

Everything from live performances and fall markets to history reenactments and arts festivals are returning to the area. Here are some of the fun events happening this fall.

September

Fall Festival

Date: September 26
Time: 5 pm - 9 pm
Location: Circle Square Commons | 8405 SW 80th Street

This free event welcomes attendees to an evening of family fun and live music. Gear up for face painting, pumpkin patch photo opportunities, a pie-eating contest, axe throwing, and more.

October

Red House Ranch Festival

Date: October 3 - November 8
Time: Saturday 10 am - 7 pm | Sunday 12 pm - 7 pm
Location: Red House Ranch | 22480 N Hwy 441, Micanopy, FL 32667

The Red House Ranch Festival hosts a huge variety of events, all accessible through their $15 ticket admission. Take part in any of their 25 activities, including their crop maze, hayride where you can feed cows, Karson's Wild West Show, putt-putt golf course, pig races, pony rides, 50-foot sack slide, archery, Trough Train Ride, obstacle course, GaGa ball pit, hay fort, and more!

Purchase your tickets through the official Red House Ranch website.

The Gray Family Halloween Festival 2026

Date: October 9
Time: 6 pm - 10 pm
Location: Ocala Downtown Market | 403 SE Osceola Avnue

Kick off your Halloween season early with a visit to the Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market. This event has a wide variety of vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and a costume contest, so don't forget to get dressed up before attending!

McIntosh 1890’s Festival

Date: October 17
Time: 8 am-4 pm
Location: McIntosh Historic District | 5835 Avenue G

Travel back in time at the McIntosh 1890’s Festival celebration. Discover the area’s history while walking down tree-lined streets filled with unique vendors, music, face painting, and great food. McIntosh is located in northern Marion County, on Highway 441.

Find more information about the festival on the official McIntosh 1890's Festival website.

4th Annual Ocala Pet Palooza

Date: October 17 - 18
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Location: World Equestrian Center - Expo Center 2 | 1598 NW 87th Ct. Road

Pet enthusiast? Have a four-legged furry friend? The 4th annual Ocala Pet Palooza is an event you won't want to miss. Bring along Frodo and attend pet parades or pet costume contests. Or shop the array of vendors with pet-related products.

This is a ticketed event, so be sure to reserve your tickets online via the Pet Palooza website.

8th Annual Howl-o-ween Pawty

Date: October 23
Time: 5:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | 2232 NE Jacksonville Road

The Southeastern Livestock Pavilion's Howl-o-ween Pawty is a great family-fun event that encourages fun and community in the heart of the horse capital. Make sure the kiddos are in costume so they can go trunk-or-treating, compete in the costume contests, and maybe even register your vehicle to join the trunks giving out candy.

This is a ticketed event! For anyone 13+, tickets are only $5, so make sure to reserve your family tickets as needed through the Humane Society of Marion County's website.

Ocala Fine Arts Festival

Date: October 24 - 25
Time: 10 am-5 pm
Location: Historic Downtown Ocala

Free and open to the public, the Ocala Fine Arts Festival showcases art from more than 150 artists across the country and offers samples of food from local vendors. Kids will enjoy the special hands-on activities and live performances.

Discover more about the festival through the official Fine Arts for Ocala website.

November

Ocala Food And Wine Festival

Date: November 6 - 8
Time: Ocala Food and Wine Festival schedule
Location: World Equestrian Center | 1750 NW 80th Ave

Join fellow foodies to enjoy live music, cooking demos, and an Iron Chef-style competition. This event offers guests the opportunity to taste food and drinks from dozens of local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

Purchase your tickets for the event through the World Equestrian Center website.

Marion County Chili Cook-Off

Date: November 7
Time: 10 am-4 pm
Location: Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd

It is not autumn without a bowl of hot chili, and the community is serving up the best at the 44th Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off! Spend the day sampling chili, listening to live music, tasting craft beer, and voting for your favorite car at the car show.

Visit the Facebook page for the 45th Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off to keep up to date with the latest on the fall event.

Ocali Country Days

Date: November 7 - 8
Time: 9 am-4 pm
Location: Silver River Museum | 1445 NE 58th Ave.

For another step back in time, on the second weekend of November each year, the Ocali Country Days festival revels in the history of the area at the Silver River Museum for a family-friendly time. Celebrate the pioneer spirit with live music, various vendors, and skilled craft activities from early settlers like blacksmithing, spinning, making sugar cane syrup, and more.

Get ready to go back in time! Follow along with updates on the event on the Silver River Museum's website.

4th Annual Ocala Holiday Craft Show

Date: November 13 - 15
Time: Times Vary
Location: World Equestrian Center - Expo Center 1 | 1284 NW 87th Ct. Rd.

In need of an early Christmas present? Looking for holiday decor? Shop locally with the Ocala Holiday Craft Show that curates a list of vendors and artists who prepare handmade goods for the event. Browse the selection of one-of-a-kind gifts and goods before swinging by their food truck collection.

There is an admission fee. Get your tickets early, and at a discount, through the Holiday Craft Show's official website.

Light Up Ocala

Date: November 21
Time: 3 pm - 8 pm
Location: Historic Downtown Ocala

Say goodbye to fall with the annual Light Up Ocala event that marks the community's shift into the winter season with stunning Christmas lights and ceremonies. Wander the holiday market, sing along to the live performances, watch the parade, and catch a special appearance from Santa!

Find out more about the many incredible happenings going on in town through our Events page.

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Author

Ocala/Marion County

Florida's Natural Wonder

The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau is the county’s official resource for vacation and meeting planning information. We are dedicated to increasing tourism and economic growth within our beautiful county.