Summer might have come to an end, but there are still plenty of great events in Ocala this September. Whether you visit the Ocala Downtown Market or enjoy Oktoberfest 2018 at Tuckwilla Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month in Ocala.
Events in Ocala this September
First Friday Art Walk
When: September 7th, 2018
Where: Ocala’s Historic Downtown
The First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month, September through May from 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk is a free event located within Ocala’s historic downtown. Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of art, live performances, and downtown shops and restaurants. Pick up your map on the square and take a self-guided tour of local artists displaying their works for sale in front of our downtown business. Stop to take in the performing artists stationed along the way.
Florida Horse Park Invitational
Where: Florida Horse Park
11008 S. Hwy 475
Ocala, FL
B3R Sports & Vanguard High School teamed up in 2014 for the Inaugural Florida Horse Park Invitational. Since then the FHP Invite has grown from a few teams to over 50 teams in the 2016 Invite. Both B3R Sports and Vanguard High School look to build on the momentum of the invite by adding a college section in 2018. The course is located on the Internationally certified horse cross country course where the USA equestrian team practices. The course is flat and packed for some great cross-country action.
Ocala Downtown Market
When: September 8th, 2018
Where: Ocala Downtown Market
SE 3rdAvenue and SE 3rdStreet
Ocala, FL
The Ocala Downtown Market (ODM) 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. Besides permanent roof cover, the facility also includes large overhead fans, restrooms, a nearby ATM, and water fountains.
Vendors have a variety of booth choices to choose from, including both indoor and outdoor, booths with water and/or electric, and more!
The Market is held on Saturdays from 9am until 2pm. It is the vision of the City of Ocala (which owns the facility) and Ocala Downtown Market, Inc. to see the Market add additional days in the future. This expansion in the number of days and hours the Market is open is expected to occur gradually, over the span of a few years.
Loomis Brothers Circus
When: September 11th, 2018
Where: Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
2231 Northeast Jacksonville Road
Ocala, FL
Our big show is a traditional style circus, just like you remember as a kid. The sights of superhuman athleticism and animal magnificence, the sounds of our singing ringmaster, the smells of fresh popcorn and cotton candy ….they’re all here.
Our International Cast of Performers will have you on the edge of your seat with their amazing skills which include a rotating program of specialty and animal acts from all corners of the globe including Juggling, Dogs, Rolla Bolla, Unicycles, Motorcycle Daredevils, Aerialists, and Elephants. All our animal performers receive the best, loving care – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Arnette House 1st Annual Regatta Boat Race
When: September 15th, 2018
Where: Carney Island
13275 SE 115thAvenue
Ocklawaha, FL
Sharks, storms and scurvy are real distractions. Designing, building and racing a boat together works wonders for morale and teamwork.
Answer the call of the open sea!! With little or no experience, your crew can build seaworthy crafts, from all kinds of materials… Whatever Floats Your Boat! Boats must be homemade and manpowered by one or two persons! Boat crews will have chances to take home the “GOLD”!
There will be boats, campers, trucks, and more on display. We’ll be grilling up some dogs & burgers for your hungry crew, providing fun games, music and raffle items! It is going to be a BOATLOAD of fun!!
2018 End of Summer Bash!
When: September 15th, 2018
Where: Tuscawilla Park
829 NE Sanchez Avenue
Ocala, FL
Live musical performances, food, craft, non-profit vendors, kids activities and alcohol sales. Profits from alcohol sales go to the Let Them Play Scholarship Fund. For details, please contact Jeff Inglehart of the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352.368.5517.
Oktoberfest 2018
When: September 22nd, 2018
Where: Tuscawilla Park
829 NE Sanchez Avenue
Ocala, FL
Outdoor concert featuring several bands, beer garden, German cuisine and games. For details, please contact Pamela Calero of the Reilly Arts Center at 352.351.1606.