Labor Day Fun in Ocala/Marion County

From arts, history and music to the rodeo and polo matches, Ocala/Marion County is packed this Labor Day Weekend with plenty of fun things to fill up your free time.

Here is our list of some fun activities to help plan your holiday.

Grab your cowboy hat and boots for a good time at the 41st Annual Ocala Shrine Rodeo. Grab tickets for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1-2, 2023 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, which is just a couple miles north of Downtown Ocala. What will you get to see at the rodeo? Exactly what you are probably imagining— barrel racing, bull riding, roping and more! Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids and free for kids under five.

Trade the lasso in for a mallet when you visit the Florida Horse Park on Saturday Sept 2, 2023 for a polo match with the Ocala Polo Club! The friendly horseman’s polo game starts at 6 pm but tailgating before is welcome—to reserve a tailgating spot, email ocalapolo@gmail.com. The stunning Florida Horse Park is located in the southeastern part of Ocala at 11008 Hwy 475 Ocala, Florida 34480.

Join the community Friday, Sept. 1 in Downtown Ocala to kick off the First Friday Art Walk, which is the first of the season! The art walks fall on the first Friday of each month from September through May, 6-9pm, and this one will launch the town into the autumn season. The event is free and takes place right on the historic downtown square with live music under the gazebo, family-friendly art activities, dozens of displays by local artists and more. While you are downtown, make sure to stop into the local shops, which extend their hours and grab dinner at one of the many choices in the area.

The next day, just a few blocks south of the square, is the fantastic Ocala Downtown Market which is held every Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm. Shop around the open-air market pavilion with vendors offering everything from fresh produce and locally-made dog treats to unique boho décor and a make your own bouquet flower cart.

Continue your enjoyment of art at First Saturday at The Appleton Museum of Art, a new tradition opening up the stunning museum for free on the first Saturday of each month. Wander the remarkable permanent collection and check out the current exhibits including a mobile photography exhibit and an exhibit featuring mixed-media by artists who work and live in Florida. In addition to the exhibit, the Artspace offers fun, hands-on activities for kids and adults, and the beautiful outdoor grounds features a large scale sculpture that makes for a great photo-op. To top it all off, the famous Big Lee’s BBQ food truck, which has been on Food Network, will be there!

Music always makes celebration better, and Ocala/Marion County is full of tunes this Labor Day Weekend. For country music fans, Orange Blossom Opry is hosting a country concert on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. The World Equestrian Center will have live music from popular local musicians Friday and Saturday night at The Yellow Pony gastro lounge in The Equestrian Hotel. Additionally, there is almost always live music at many of restaurants in Downtown Ocala as well as on the historic square.

To see all the events going on in the destination, take a look at our full calendar of events.