MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – If you’ve been in the 352 since last summer, or just make a habit of returning in the fall, you know this is the time when North Central Florida—a region that’s never short on things to do—REALLY gets busy with festivals and events.
Here’s our running list of all the autumn-related stuff that’ll be going on up until the winter holiday season kicks in. Get out your calendars (whether paper or digital) and start making some hard choices about what you want to do. And check back regularly—we’ll be constantly updating this rundown until our Holiday Guide arrives as a very early Christmas present.
September
- 11: Marion County September 11 Remembrance Ceremony – 8:30 a.m., Ocala Marion Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E. Fort King St., Ocala.
- 11: September 11 Memorial Ceremony – The City of Gainesville observes the 25th anniversary of the attacks on America. 8:30 a.m., City Hall Plaza, 200 E. University Ave., Gainesville.
- 11: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony – Lake County invites the community to gather in remembrance of that tragic day. 9 a.m., Lake County Administration Building, 315 W. Main St., Tavares.
- 11: 2026 Freedom Walk – The City of Belleview honors the lives lost on 9/11, 2001. 6 p.m., Belleview Community Center, 5615 SE 110th Pl., Belleview.
- 12: 4th Annual First Responders Car and Truck Show – Hosted by the Florida Military Vehicle Heritage Group. 9 a.m., Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, 13666 SW 17th Ct., Ocala.
- 12: Fiesta Ocala Fall Polo Season Kick-Off – Tailgating, food trucks and the start of the region’s season. 6 p.m., Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. HWY 475, Ocala.
- 15-16: give4marion – It’s a 33-hour fundraising drive for local nonprofits. Online at give4marion.org.
- 18: Voices of Captivity: The Poetry of Prisoners of War – Observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day. 9 a.m., Ocala Marion Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E. Fort King St., Ocala.
- 18: Ocala Oddities Market September Edition – Unique, eclectic and eccentric goods for sale from dozens of vendors. 6 p.m., Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala
- 19-20: Ocala Comic Con – Comics, cosplay, celebrities and more. 10 a.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 1, 1284 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 19: The Florida Chitlin’ Circuit: Where the Legends Came to Play During the Jim Crow Era – A historic documentary about the pre-Civil Rights African-American musical tour circuit. 7:30 p.m., Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala.
- 20: Early Bird Holiday Market – Seasonal vendors kick off the autumn vibes. Noon, Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
- 26: 8th Annual Countryside Arts & Crafts Sale – Homemade, handmade goods from artisan vendors. 9 a.m., Countryside Presbyterian Church of Ocala, 7768 SW HWY 200, Ocala.
- 26: 2nd Annual Fall Festival at Cottom Farm – Local vendors, food trucks, a kids’ zone and more. 10 a.m., Cottom Farm, 41407 Edna C Blvd., Weirsdale.
- 26-27: Ocala Home & Garden Show – The big annual harvest-time trade show, information HQ and sales floor returns. 10 a.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 2, 1598 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 26: Fall Eats & Artisan Expo – Local talent, great food, family-friendly entertainment. 1 p.m., The ARC of Marion, 2800 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala.
- 26: The Town Square Fall Festival – Kick off the season with a fest fit for fall. 5 p.m., Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala.
- 26-Nov. 8: 7 Weekends of Fall – Brown’s Adventure Farm starts a running series of events including Hometown Heroes Day, a Wild West Showdown, Falloween Fest and more. Brown & Brown Farms, 13940 US-301, Oxford.
- 27: The Ocala Yard Sale Market – A collection of multiple yard sales, all in one location. 9 a.m., Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
October
- 2: First Friday Art Walk – The annual series kicks off in downtown Ocala and runs until May. 6 p.m., downtown Ocala.
- 17-18: 4th Annual Ocala Pet Palooza – One of the region’s favorite annual gatherings of all things furry, friendly and lovable. 10 a.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 2, 1598 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 23: Horse-O-Ween – An equine expo with games and knowledge; costumes encouraged. 3:30 p.m., Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
- 23: 8th Annual Howl-O-Ween Pawty – Safe and family-friendly games and trunk-or-treating in support of the Humane Society of Marion County. 5:30 p.m., Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala.
- 23: After Dark in the Park Movie Series – Check out an outdoor screening of the Mel Brooks comedy classic, “Young Frankenstein.” 7 p.m., Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala.
- 24: Xtreme Rodeo – All your favorite rodeo skills competitions. 3:30 p.m., Florida Horse Park, 11008 HWY 475, Ocala.
- 24: 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Expo – New techniques, science, and products to help you live better and longer. 10 a.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 2, 1598 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 24: Fall-O’Ween Citra Community Social Event – Networking for local small businesses, trunk-or-treating for the kids, and more. Noon, Citra Community Center, 2351 E. HWY 318, Citra.
- 24: Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest – It is what it says, and it’s awesome. 5 p.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 2, 1598 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 24-25: Ocala Fine Arts Festival – Creativity, craftsmanship and culture. Downtown Ocala.
- 27-30: Ocala International Horse Show – Performance breeds showcase multiple disciplines at this free annual event. 9 a.m., World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala.
- 29: Applaud the Arts: 25th Anniversary Gala – The Marion Cultural Alliance celebrates 25 years of “artistic excellence and cultural impact in Marion County.” 6 p.m., Protea Farms, 12088 S. HWY 475, Ocala.
November
- 2: Horse Fever at 25: Art, Horses and Community – Learn the history of Ocala’s beloved horse statue project and see the new Tribute 25 statue by Sharon Crute. 1:30 p.m., Circle Square Cultural Center, 8385 SW 80th St., Ocala.
- 6-8: Ocala Food & Wine Festival – Experience three days of exceptional food, wine, beer and more at WEC. 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala.
- 7: Foxwood Farms 5th Annual Crafter & Vendor Event – Shoppers and artisans come together to support Ocala’s children. Foxwood Farms Community Center, 4705 NW 20th St., Ocala.
- 7: 45th Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff – What good is cooler weather without a chili throwdown? 10 a.m., Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala.
- 7-8: Ocali County Days Festival – Live music, historic displays, eats and more. 9 a.m., Silver River Museum, 1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala.
- 8: DJ Matt Gray Presents the Ocala Fall Festival – Music, shopping, food, fun for the kids. 11 a.m., Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
- 13-15: 4th Annual Ocala Holiday Craft Show – More than 352 artisans and crafters under one roof. 10 a.m., World Equestrian Center Expo Hall 1, 1284 NW 87th Ct. Rd., Ocala.
- 17: Park After Dark: Holiday Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Event – “Discover holiday focused wines while enjoying an artisan charcuterie spread designed to complement every sip.” 6 p.m., Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala.
- 21: Christmas Garage Sale & Flea Market – Come one, come all to sell your stuff or buy someone else’s. 10 a.m., ARC of Marion, 2800 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala.
- 21: Light Up Ocala – One of the city’s most cherished annual traditions returns. 3 p.m., downtown Ocala.
- 27: WEC Winter Wonderland (OPENING) – This festive feast of sights and lights is a tradition in the Horse Capital of the World and runs multiple days of the week up until Christmas. 3 p.m., World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala.