Fun Summer Events in Ocala/Marion County
Summer is time for family, friends and vacation! With activities like swimming in cool, spring-fed lakes, biking and horseback riding under shaded canopies, zip-lining, and so much more, North Central Florida offers plenty of ways for you to enjoy Florida summers.
Here are some fun summer events for you and your family to check out in Ocala/Marion during your vacation this year.
Festival Of Speed & Kentucky Hat Party
May 4, 2024
Taking place on the Kentucky Derby’s biggest race day, Festival of Speed at World Equestrian Center is bringing horse power to Ocala with exotic, classic and muscle cars. Dress in your best race attire, big hat and all while watching the Kentucky Derby on the jumbotron in the Grand Plaza and enjoy themed cocktails and fine wines. In Expo Centre 2, the lineup of incredible car designs include Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston-Martin, McLaren and more. The event is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Children 12 and under Free. For more information about the event, click here.
![](https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=3460963136f86f854c6b880ec4ae89f1 320w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=2cbc231b26f4d8d89aa9b7e04515711a 540w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=4b448c41f368d95f5f82b369bc95f942 768w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=6c39c305ea860a3b72ef8c42d4a5a89e 1024w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=9f9706f050c8ede67e0446de4152b192 1200w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=f6b4c4f7a342504d25b99d73ec6289c2 1440w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/Festival-of-Speed-MAVEN.jpg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=3f8db5bc3add7a3b70eb613d7346c906 1620w)
Symphony Under The Stars
May 12, 2024
Fine Arts For Ocala is putting on their annual Symphony Under the Stars concert on Mother’s Day! Join the community to celebrate moms at the Ocala Golf Club with music, food, fireworks and more fun. Gates open at 3 p.m., with the first concert beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free for kids 17 and under. Bring your own chairs and blankets, even your own snack if you like, but there will be food, beer and wine available for purchase. For tickets to this event, click here!
![](https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=d0a395429864a1eaf1168e0e3083411b 320w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=d9984fca7cdd046fb42186f1d75fcee5 540w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=6716ae08b112c6dc06f3a3ee92521d04 768w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=9d5a7b1aa9eff7f93a05c6b602ce2017 1024w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=087ab729ae7191e2b39344cc727cf995 1200w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=601a7abad7840311c7be4ea7bde991c4 1440w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/main-images/fireworks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=5261d0a047714cc815fb79279f2db497 1920w)
Water Lantern Festival
June 1, 2024
Join the community for a water lantern festival at Tuscawilla Park from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Guests will be able to decorate their own lantern and participate in a launching ceremony during the last hour of the event. Food trucks, music and entertainment will be onsite throughout the evening. For ticket options and more information, visit the event's website here.
Ocala Summer Series
June 11 - August 11, 2024
Here's an event for horse lovers! The horse show season is no longer limited to the cooler months. With multiple large, climate-controlled, indoor arenas, World Equestrian Center – Ocala is changing the game and hosting equestrian events year-round, rain or shine. The Ocala Summer Series features 9 weeks of elite hunter/jumper competition.
Make the most of your visit to a horse show by dining at a local restaurant, shopping, renting a golf cart to explore the property, and getting a treat at the candy shop!
![](https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/WEC_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=35b4fa31030e60228850016056db02a1 320w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/WEC_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=f3ade94835e252bb46a00d45a80160ba 540w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/WEC_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=2ec9caad0e0d79f5674e177d2645ebae 750w)
Red, White And Oso Blue
June 30, 2024
Get into the American spirit with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at the Reilly Arts Center for a night of patriotic marches, music from the film The Patriot and a salute to our troops. The show starts at 3 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit the event page at https://www.reillyartscenter.com.
For more 4th of July activities, check out 5 Ways to Spend Your Independence Day Weekend in Ocala/Marion County.
![](https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=268ab10fb81fe11b47e7f63b6f7f285d 320w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=5d1f9b10fc6333fc72e06b74514387e7 540w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=7b6f7e35aa3d04d47d87c13e39dc6c18 768w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=f37da91881a9ce38dc9c1b900dbdeb49 1024w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=8af8cd601aec67616c2b47a086127fb8 1200w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1440&s=514f057b6b4a07b08748663bd37698a1 1440w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1920&s=d6450b900009d1ab9253cba5c7995f45 1920w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=2560&s=7bae7eedbcb5a032ff53f1142183859e 2560w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Drone-Show-Flag.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=3840&s=24fb64e4351abd5095573d69f0cc1dc2 3000w)
Patriotic Skies: A Fourth of July Drone Experience
July 4, 2024
Celebrate the Fourth of July like never before on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Tuscawilla Park. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests can enjoy food trucks, family-friendly activities and live entertainment leading up to the captivating drone show. Watch the sky light up as drones showcase patriotic displays. For more information, visit the event's website here.
North Central Florida Outdoor Expo
August 17, 2024
Outdoor lovers, nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers are all invited to the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo at World Equestrian Center - Expo Center 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. Explore hundreds of vendors offering everything you can think out for the outdoors, but in the comfort of a massive air-conditioned expo center! For more information, visit the event's website here.
Weekends At The Orange Blossom Opry
After a long day filled with fun in the Florida sun, what sounds more relaxing than kicking back in an air-conditioned room and listening to some good jams? Almost every weekend this summer, the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale is putting on a country concert! For tickets to these events, visit OBOpry.com.
Summer Kids Film Series
Whether the day is a rainy one or you are looking for sun time out of the sun, a movie at the Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala is a great way to unwind with the kids. The Summer Kids Film series runs from June to August and offers select shows at just $3 for children 12 and under! Adults are only $5. The $3 includes juice, popcorn and fruit snacks.
To see the full list of events, which is updated daily, check out our Events Calendar.
![](https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Marion-theatre_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=05622df83acd2c0fd2ac92899ee4a4d6 320w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Marion-theatre_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=b71982aeee9e566efe48c9e2c4b1c276 540w, https://ocala.imgix.net/images/blog-images/Marion-theatre_77a996cadb6acd997fdd4924ba23cc85.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=dc68253f29e24df10fe48ac2f0f52c30 699w)
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