Fall in Ocala – Events, Festivals, & Halloween Activities
Fall is one of the best seasons in Ocala, when locals are out enjoying all that our countryside and city has to offer. There’s a big variety of activities in the area for family members of all ages, so checkout the weekend fun that’s on tap for this month in our town!
Ocala Downtown Market – Starting October 13th
The Ocala Downtown Market is the place where a diverse array of farmers, artisans, craftspeople, and food trucks come together to sell their products to customers from Ocala, Marion County, and beyond. A true destination location, ODM is set just blocks off of the Ocala Downtown Square, in a beautiful open-air Market Pavilion. The Market is held on Fridays from 3pm until 7pm and Saturdays from 9am until 2pm.
FAFO – Fine Arts For Ocala October 27-28th Historic Downtown Ocala!
Halloween isn’t the only type of entertainment on tap in Ocala this month. FAFO (Fine Arts For Ocala) hosts one of the most celebrated events of the season at the end of the month. “The Ocala Arts Festival has been voted as one of the most loved events in our community. There are a minimum 150 artists from all over the United States bringing their beautiful pieces to downtown Ocala, Florida. FAFO’s Art Festival is produced by an all-volunteer board and draws more than 25,000 visitors each year. FAFO will showcase live local entertainment on two different stages, at the Downtown Gazebo stage and Citizens Circle. Food Vendors are located throughout the downtown area.”
Halloween Themed Entertainment
The Brick City Carnival! – October 13th (Evening)
Put on a costume and bring the whole family down to Brick City Adventure Park for an evening of food, games, a hay maze and of course…CANDY! Other fun activities include trick or treating, music, costume contest and face painting. This family friendly event is perfect for the younger ones, ages 0 – 12. Guests are encouraged to dress up for this non-scary event. For more information please contact Marion County Parks and Recreation at 352-671-8560.
Zombie Zipping – Canyon Zip Line and Canopy Tours
If you are feeling adventurous and perhaps a bit braver, then Ocala has plenty of heart stopping entertainment for the older Halloween lovers. Professional guides will take you on a tour at night, zipping high above the zombies who are roaming the waterways and grounds below. This same tour company also offers slightly calmer experiences touring the waterways and forests during the day via kayak or horseback.
Pumpkin Picking and Corn Mazes
There’s not any lack of agricultural activities in Marion County during the fall. If zip lines are a bit too scary for you, and you’d like to stay a bit closer to the ground – take in a day at one of these locations for pumpkin picking, blue grass music and the enjoyment of a good old fashioned farm life.
The Pickin Patch was recognized by Better Homes and Gardens as the best pumpkin picking patch in Florida, and they even provide live entertainment with bluegrass bands all month!
Coon Hollo Farm and Timberline Farm also offer agricultural experiences including pony rides, music, food and drinks, pumpkin patches, plants, train rides, clowns, face painting, hay rides, corn cribs, corn mazes, arts and crafts.
