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.

1. Attend A Local Event

What is more patriotic than a local homegrown event? This year, among the independence themed events include:

Red, White and OSO Blue a Salute to Our Troops

Listen to the Ocala Symphony preform patriotic songs that pay homage to our military heroes.

Location: Reilly Arts Center | 500 NE 9th Street
Date & Times: June 30 | 3:00 p.m.

Patriotic Skies: A Fourth of July Drone Experience

Marvel at a stunning LED light show at Tuscawilla Park for this Independence Day! Watch 300 drones glimmer in the night sky and showcase patriotic scenes.

Location: Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Avenue
Date & Times: July 4 | 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Independence Cup - Spring Sunset Polo at the Florida Horse Park

The Florida Horse Park will be hosting a polo competition featuring an Independence Cup. Delve into patriotic festivities while watching a thrilling round of polo.

Location: Florida Horse Park | 11008 County Road 475
Date & Times: July 6 | 6:00 p.m.

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 check out some of the veteran-friendly things to do 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 make great spots for enjoying the Florida sunshine while keeping cool in the natural springs. For more aquatic-centered ideas, check out our guide on kayaking, tubing, and boating here.

4. Taste 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 are not lacking in that! Find scrumptious BBQ spots with our ultimate list of restaurants in Ocala. The flavor does not stop there! We're also home to some exceptional outdoor dining spots that will have you soaking in the sunshine.

5. 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:

For a full list of all the sites, click here.