5 Ways to Spend Your Independence Day Weekend in Ocala/Marion County

The 4th of July is all about celebrating our freedoms, and what better way is there to do that than to enjoy Ocala/Marion County and our homeland with family and friends?

From outdoor adventures in the moonlight to honoring our veterans, here are 5 ideas for things to do in Ocala/Marion County to tap into the red, white, and blue this July 4th weekend and America's 250th!

Local Events

Veterans Park

Water Activities

Camping

BBQ

Colorful fireworks light up the night sky during Fourth of July in Ocala.

1. Attend A Local Event

What is more patriotic than a local homegrown event? For all the patriotic events this summer, visit the America 250 page. This year, among the top independence-themed events are:

America 250 Patriotic Parade & Fireworks in Ocala

Fill the evening with historical remembrance, community fundraising with local organizations, and unique cultural performances before unfurling a picnic blanket at Veterans Memorial Park for a booming fireworks display. Additional free and open to the public firework events are taking place in Dunnellon, Belleview and Citra!

Location: Parade starts at Marion Technical Institute | 1014 SW 7th Rd
Date & Time: July 4, 2026 | 7 pm - 10 pm

Celebrate America 250 (Fourth in the Park)

Join the City of Ocala at Tuscawilla Park for a fantastic, family-friendly daytime celebration honoring America's 250th. This free event features delicious bites from local food trucks, a dedicated kids' zone, exciting games, and patriotic giveaways. Visitors can also kick back and enjoy a great lineup of live musical performances by Cliff Dorsey and Emma Forgette.

Location: Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave
Date & Times: July 4, 2026 | 10 am – 2 pm

Iggy's "4 on the Fourth" Freedom Run

Celebrate athleticism and patriotism at the annual Greg Iggy Miller Memorial Run, a spirited four-mile race through Southeast Ocala's scenic neighborhoods, starting and ending at Veterans Memorial Park. Interested runners can sign up on the Freedom Run website's registration page.

Location: Veterans Memorial Park | 2601 E Fort King St
Date & Times: July 4, 2026 | 6:30 am to 9 am

Eaton's Beach July 4th Celebration

Enjoy a fantastic evening with a spectacular fireworks display (9 PM), all while supporting The Wounded Warrior Project. Take a boat out onto the lake or sit on its sandy shores while the skies light up in red, white, and blue.

Location: Eaton's Beach | 15790 SE 134th Avenue
Date & Times: July 4, 2026 | 6:30-9:30pm

Stars, Stripes and Art

The Appleton Museum of Art will be hosting a new exhibit in honor of the 4th of July, with free admission to both the permanent galleries and the special exhibit halls for the entire month of July!

Location: Appleton Museum of Art | 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Date & Time: July 1-31, 2026| 10 am - 5 pm

2. Visit The Veterans Memorial Park

We get to enjoy a beautiful holiday weekend in our amazing country thanks to the bravery and sacrifices of our service members and veterans. A great way to honor them is to visit the Ocala – Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. The park has benches throughout, flags flying representing the branches of the military, monuments remembering heroes, and more.

A visit to the park is truly a must for Independence Day. We also encourage all our veterans, whether visitors or residents, to visit some of the celebratory veteran activities in Ocala/Marion County.

3. Splash In The Springs

Make the blue in red, white, and blue part of your day by splashing into one of our beautiful springs! Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, and Rainbow Springs are great spots to enjoy the Florida sunshine while keeping cool in natural springs. Review our kayaking, tubing, and boating guide for more aquatic-centered ideas.

4. Camp Under The Stars

Maybe you don’t have fireworks, but what about a campfire or shooting stars? Set up a tent and spend quality time with friends or family in our great outdoors under the stars at one of our many campsites. There are dozens of campgrounds in Ocala/Marion County, in places like the following:

Our collection of campgrounds and RV parks has additional locations to consider for your camping trip.

5. Savor Some BBQ

Pulled Brisket, mac n cheese, and cornbread… nothing feels more like summer in the USA than good BBQ. In Ocala/Marion County, we do not lack that! Find scrumptious BBQ spots with our ultimate list of restaurants in Ocala and check out our local favorites, including:

The flavor does not stop there! We're also home to some exceptional outdoor dining spots that will have you soaking in the sunshine.

Check out all the fun in store in Ocala/ Marion County by using our plan your trip tool!

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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.