EVENTS

Weekly

Farmer’s Market (Thursdays)

Shop a fabulous selection of fresh, seasonal produce from local growers, baked goods, plants, handmade products and more. Free. 9am-1pm. 8405 SW 80th St. Info: https://www.circlesquarecommons.com/visitors/

 

Marion County Market (Fridays)

Make this your Friday lunch or dinner stop for fresh produce, seafood or mouthwatering pastries, several varieties of olive oils and vinaigrettes, beef jerky or freeze-dried candies and fruit snacks, just perfect for the weekend. Free. 9am-2pm. 610 SE 25th Ave. Info:

 

Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series (Fridays)

Enjoy a weekly concert series featuring live music from national, regional and local artists in various genres, cultural arts displays and public art in an outdoor green space. Free. 7-9pm. 1501 Silver Springs.

Info: https://www.ocalafl.org/

 

Yoga in the Park (Saturdays)

Renew your spirit and find your center for the week ahead with an invigorating outdoor yoga class taught by certified instructors. Free. 9am. 7110 SW 80th Ave. Info: www.sholompark.org/

 

Ocala Downtown Market (Saturdays)

Kick off your weekend with a variety of vendors and local farmers featuring produce, goat and dairy products, meats, honey, seafood, soaps and so much more. Free. 9am-2pm. SE 3rd St. and SE 3rd Ave.
Info: https://ocaladowntownmarket.com/

 

USEF Summer Horse Show Series (Saturdays through Aug. 13)

Experience the thrills as top show jumpers and riders compete in this international weekly competition under the lights in the Grand Arena for a $100,000 grand prize. Tickets. 6pm. 1390 NW 80th St.
Info: https://worldequestriancenter.com/

 

Ocala Polo (Saturdays through Aug. 20)

Bring the family for a tailgate dinner followed by a night of equine speed and agility as ponies and riders compete for prizes in one of the world’s oldest known sports. Don’t miss the divot stomp following the match! Tickets. 6pm. 11008 S Hwy 475. Info: https://www.ocalapolo.com/

 

Monthly

Free First Saturday

Appleton Museum of Art

Practice the art of the staycation and visit the permanent collection and special exhibitions, get creative in the Artspace, enjoy a selfie or two in the sculpture garden, and grab a bite from visiting food trucks. Free. 10am-5pm. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Info: www.appletonmuseum.org

 

June 18 & 19

Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people with a city proclamation, food, live music, networking, vendors and more. Free. Sat: 10am-4pm; Sun: 11am-4pm. 1510 N.W. 4th St. Info: https://www.ocalafl.org/

 

June 26

USEF Grand Prix

Experience the thrills of nationally-ranked equestrians as they compete for the $50,000 grand prize aboard top show jumpers in this USEF-rated competition. Tickets. 8-10am. 1390 NW 80th St.
Info: https://worldequestriancenter.com/

 

June 29

Caribbean Cruise at the Market

Wear your best island or tropical attire and experience a special Wednesday market featuring live music in the style of Jimmy Buffett, a bounce house, food trucks and more! Free. 4-8pm. SE 3rd St. and SE 3rd Ave.
Info: https://tinyurl.com/3muk5fy9

 

July 2 -4

American Freedom Festival

Celebrate a weekend of independence with live music, arts and crafts, a kid’s zone, food vendors, glass bottom boat tours, kayaking, hiking, RV’s, camping and more, all inside Silver Springs State Park. $1 park admission, free parking. 5656 Silver Springs Blvd. Info: https://www.ocalamarion.com/events

 

July 2

Uncle Sam Bike Jam

Enjoy bikes, live music and food trucks, feel the thrills with big air, best whip and trick contests, raffle drawings and more. Or take a guided ride along more than 100 miles of MTB trails. Free. 10am-3pm. 9150 SE 25th Ave. Info: https://www.ocalamarion.com/events

 

July 3

Red, White and Ocala Symphony Blue

Celebrate our nation’s 246th birthday with patriotic marches, film music from The Patriot, and a special salute to our troops, plus your favorite music that reverberates red, white and blue! Tickets. 3 pm. 500 NE 9th St.
Info: https://www.reillyartscenter.com/

 

July 23

Darryl Worley

Don’t miss an evening with this Dreamworks recording artist as he performs memorable hits, including “Aweful Beautiful Life”, “I Miss My Friend”, “Sounds like Life To Me” and the powerful 9/11 Tribute Ballad “Have You Forgotten.” Tickets. 7pm. 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale.
Info: https://www.obopry.com/

 

August 13

North Central FL Outdoor Expo

The place to be for outdoorsy, adventure-seeking, nature lovers featuring recreational ideas and destinations, including fishing, axe throwing,  shooting, camping, river getaways, motorcycles and more. Free. 9am-3pm.
1390 NW 80th Ave. Info: https://tinyurl.com/59btz46n

 

August 26-28

Ocala Dressage XIV

Experience the beauty and precision as incredibly disciplined riders and horses dance through various routines to qualify for the regional championships

Tickets. 8am. 1390 NW 80th St. Info: https://worldequestriancenter.com/

 

September 2 & 3
Ocala Shrine Rodeo

Saddle up for a weekend of thrilling skill and entertainment featuring bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and more! Tickets. 7:30pm. 2200 NE Jacksonville Rd. Info: https://www.ocalashrinerodeo.com/events

 

September 9

After Dark in the Park Movie Series

It’s movie time! Bring the family and enjoy a night off with The Karate Kid in one of Ocala’s city parks. Snacks, popcorn and soda available for purchase and don’t forget blankets or chairs for comfortable viewing. Free. 8pm. 500 NE 9th St.
 Info: https://www.ocalafl.org/

 

September 16

The Grass Roots

One of the most recognized groups on classic rock radio for the last 50 years, this record-setting quartet lands in Ocala for a night of hits including “Midnight Confessions,” “The River is Wide,” “Temptation Eyes,” “Sooner or Later” and more. Tickets. 7pm. 8395 SW 80th Ave. Info: https://www.csculturalcenter.com/

 

September 17 & 18

Ocala Comic Con

Dive into the world of cosplay, comic books and gaming! Meet TWD’s Ross Marquand, The Book of Boba Fett’s Dorian Kingi, Swamp Thing’s Mike Spicer, media guests and more. Tickets. Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 11am-6pm.
1750 Northwest 80th Ave. Info: http://www.ocalacomiccon.com/

 

September 18

History of Latin American Music

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with an afternoon of live Latin American music paired with oral histories, teaching us what makes it different and special in its own meaning. Free. 2-3:30pm. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Info:

 

September 29 – October 16

2022 Championship Show

Enjoy an exciting mix of competitions featuring western pleasure, barrel racing, hunter, reining, ranch riding and more. A second weekend – Oct. 21 & 22 – is also scheduled. Tickets. 8am. 1390 NW 80th Ave.
Info: https://worldequestriancenter.com/events/

 

October 6

Girls Night – The Musical

Follow five friends as they visit their past, celebrate their present, and look to the future on a wild and hilarious night…and you’ll recognize yourself in each of them! Accompanied by hits like “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Man I Feel Like A Woman,” “I Will Survive” and more! Tickets. 7pm. 8395 SW 80th St. Info: https://www.csculturalcenter.com

 

October 15

What A Night! Jersey Boys Meet Mamma Mia

The most acclaimed and celebrated “pop” sensations to hit the Broadway stage in the past 20 years, the combination of ABBA and the Jersey Boys create an incredible mega-concert with one of the most sensational musical finales you’ll ever see! Tickets. 3pm Matinee only. 8395 SW 80th St. Info: https://www.csculturalcenter.com

 

October 20

Park After Dark Concert Series

Discover the original and traditional sounds of Istanbul from Daryal Kafkasso and Moonspell right in your own backyard. Bring a lawn chair, pack some snacks or grab a dinner from a food truck, it’s time to relax. Tickets $15. 6pm.
7110 SW 80th Ave. Info: www.sholompark.org/

 

October 21 & 22

2022 Championship Show

Enjoy an exciting mix of competitions featuring western pleasure, barrel racing, hunter, reining, ranch riding and more. Tickets. 8am. 1390 NW 80th Ave. Info: https://worldequestriancenter.com/events/

 

October 28

After Dark in the Park Movie Series

It’s movie time! M. Night Shyamalan’s suspenseful thriller The Village brings the thrills and chills just in time for Halloween. Snacks, popcorn and soda available for purchase and don’t forget blankets or chairs for comfortable viewing. Free. 8pm. 3925 E Fort King St. Info: https://www.ocalafl.org/

 

 

LODGING

RECOMMENDED

Ivy On The Square

Ocala at 53 S Magnolia (352-622-5550);

Williston at 106 NW Mail St (352-528-5410). | Ivy On The Square

 

Southern food is synonymous with comfort food so it’s not surprising that great Southern recipes, passed down from one generation to the next, are cherished and protected. And that brings us to Marjorie ”Mimi” Hale - the matriarch of the award-

winning “Ivy House Restaurant & Catering” in Williston as well as the new, hip “Ivy On The Square” in downtown Ocala.

 

Two restaurants, two different vibes but both share the same authentic Southern specialties created from Mimi’s cherished family recipes. You’ll find perennial favorites like homemade Pimento Cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp & Grits and Mimi’s signature Baked Krispy Chicken. Everything here is outrageously good!

 

La Cuisine

48 SW 1st Ave in Ocala.  (352-433-2570) | lacuisineocala.com

 

Located in historic downtown Ocala, this charming French restaurant is like taking a trip to Paris without having to pack.

Owners Patrice and Elodie Perron source super fresh, high quality ingredients for their sensational European creations.

 

Specialities include Organic Half Roast Chicken with fresh herbs, black truffle and black truffle au jus; Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with celery root au poivre and a cognac cream sauce; and Herb & Dijon Mustard Crusted Rack of Lamb with demi glace sauce. Save room for dessert because the sweet endings here are the “piece de resistance!”

 

 

 

World Equestrian Center
Ocala Equestrian Operations: 352.414.7900
Hotel Reservations: 866.478.9267
1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482

There is no other horse destination like the World Equestrian Center anywhere in the United States. World Equestrian Center – Ocala offers exhibitors, trainers, owners and guests an endless list of Florida horse show amenities for the ultimate Ocala, Florida equestrian resort experience.

 

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