Fun Summer Events in Ocala/Marion County
Summer is time for family, friends and vacation! With activities like swimming in cool, spring-fed lakes, biking and horseback riding under shaded canopies, zip-lining, and so much more, North Central Florida offers plenty of ways for you to enjoy Florida summers.
Here are some fun summer events for you and your family to check out in Ocala/Marion during your vacation this year.
1. Levitt AMP Music Series
Fridays, April 22 - July 1, 2022
Summer event lineups should always include good music! Levitt AMP returns to Ocala this spring and summer. Beginning April 22, through July 1, 2022, every Friday night (excluding Memorial Day weekend), there will be a free music concert at Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Complex. These events are family-friendly and held from 7- 9 p.m. Food trucks will be there to provide tasty bites. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and/or blankets. For more information, click here.
2. Festival of Speed Thoroughbred Weekend
May 8, 2022
Taking place on the Kentucky Derby’s biggest race day, Festival of Speed at the World Equestrian Center is bringing horse power to Ocala with exotic, classic and muscle cars. Dress in your best race attire, big hat and all, to admire automotive excellence while watching the Kentucky Derby on the jumbotron in the Grand Plaza and enjoy themed cocktails and fine wines. The lineup of incredible car designs include Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston-Martin, McLaren and more. The event is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Children 12 and under Free. For more information about the event, click here.
3. Symphony Under the Stars
May 8, 2022
Fine Arts For Ocala is putting on their annual Symphony Under the Stars concert on Mother’s Day! Join the community to celebrate moms at the Ocala Golf Club with music, food, fireworks and more fun. Gates open at 3 pm, with the first concert beginning at 5 pm. Admission is free for kids 17 and under. Bring your own chairs and blankets, even your own snack if you like, but there will be food, beer and wine available for purchase. For tickets to this event, click here!
4. Blueberry Festival at WEC
May 14, 2022
Fill up your Saturday with berry fun at the WEC’s blueberry festival! Start off with the Blueberry 5k Fun Run in the morning, fuel up after at the pancake breakfast and then launch into the festival fun in the Grand Plaza. The festival featuring live music, yard games, blueberry fare and an artisanal farmer’s market is free and open to the public! The featured blueberry fares come from a local organic blueberry farm owned by WEC and will include a special blueberry chipotle BBQ Sauce, blueberry milkshakes and, of course, blueberry pie. The pancake breakfast starts at $10 and runners/walkers are encouraging to register for the 5k.
5. SPOOKALA
May 13-15, 2022
Starting Friday the 13th in May and through the weekend, have a hair-raising experience at Spookala at WEC! If you are a horror movie fan, there will be a number of celebrities from classic scary movies, vendors, movie props, live music, discussion panels and plenty more spooky activities. Friday and Saturday night there will be after parties at Tipsy Skipper and Mutiny in Downtown Ocala.
6. LATINO FESTIVAL DOWNTOWN OCALA
May 21, 2022
Authentic Latin food, live music, handicraftsmen, food trucks and more fun will be at the Latino Festival in Downtown Ocala! The event celebrating Latin culture offers multicultural family fun and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook Page.
7. WEC Summer Series
June 15 – August 14, 2022
Here's an event for horse lovers! The horse show season is no longer limited to the cooler months. With multiple large, climate-controlled, indoor arenas, the World Equestrian Center – Ocala is changing the game and hosting equestrian events year-round, rain or shine. Make the most of your visit to a horse show by dining at a local restaurant, shopping, renting a golf cart to explore the property, and getting a treat at the candy shop!
8. Weekends at the Orange Blossom Opry
After a long day filled with fun in the Florida sun, what sounds more relaxing than kicking back in an air-conditioned room and listening to some good jams? Almost every weekend this summer, the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale is putting on a country concert! For tickets to these events, visit OBOpry.com.
9. Summer Kid's Film Series
June 1 – August 5, 2022
Whether the day is a rainy one or you are looking for sun time out of the sun, a movie at the Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala is a great way to unwind with the kids. The Summer Kids Film series is every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with showings at 10 AM and 11 AM for just $3 for children 12 and under! Adults are only $5. The $3 includes juice, popcorn and fruit snacks.
10. Red, White and Ocala Symphony Blue
July 3, 2022
Get into the American spirit with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at the Reilly Arts Center for a night of patriotic marches, music from the fil The Patriot and a salute to our troops. The show starts at 3 PM. For more information and tickets, visit ReillyArtsCenter.com.
For more 4th of July activities, check out 5 Ways to Spend Your Independence Day Weekend in Ocala/Marion County.
11. North Central Florida Outdoor Expo
August 13, 2022
Outdoor lovers, nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers are all invited to the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo at the World Equestrian Center this summer. Explore hundreds of vendors offering everything you can think out for the outdoors, but in the comfort of a massive air-conditioned expo center!
To see the full list of events, which is updated daily, check out our Events Calendar.
