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 Annual Ocala Shrine Rodeo. Grab tickets for Friday and Saturday, August 30-31, 2024 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!

Get ready for a thrilling weekend of youth barrel racing at the World Equestrian Center! The Labor Day Barrel Blast takes place over four action-packed days, from Friday, August 30th to Monday, September 2nd. Witness the speed and agility of young equestrian stars as they compete. The excitement kicks off in Arena 5, where these talented riders and their horses will battle it out for the top spot.

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 three different country concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 30-September 1. 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.

Join the community the following weekend, Friday, Sept. 6 in Downtown Ocala to kick off the FIRST First Friday Art Walk 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 see all the events going on in the destination, take a look at our full calendar of events.