There’s a lot happening this fall in Central Florida – particularly in Marion county. We seem to become busier and busier in a cornucopia of festivals, fairs, concerts, exhibitions, and all manner of paloozas to welcome the Autumn after a stiflingly hot Summer. This Fall, the schedule seems even more full of activities and events than usual – some old annual favorites along with a lot of new things to liven up the season. And we haven’t even officially gotten to the Holidays yet. 

Because there are so many cool things happening over the next few months, we just can’t possibly squeeze them all into one article and do them justice. So, along with this handy guide with some quick and easy details for you, we’re going to be highlighting several upcoming events in stand-alone blogs, with more information and a deeper look into who and what they are, who’s involved, and how you can participate - whether as an attendee or volunteer. 

Ocala is a vibrant, supportive community with so many people who are eager to offer their time, money, and efforts to help – be it as a worker, a donor, or simply purchasing a local artist’s work. A lot of people do all three; some even go further and become board and committee members.  Whatever your action is, it’s a vital part of what makes this city so special, and no action is too small. 

So we’ve collated some fun stuff that’s coming up over the next couple of months, and we’ll follow up with more soon. We hope you find a few of them that catch your interest and spark a plan to take your family and friends along for the adventure.  

Ocala Pumpkin Patch

The United Methodist Church continues its popular annual celebration of the mighty gourd all the way from October 1 to Halloween, featuring activities for kids, live music, potluck dinners, Pumpkin Pie Day, and a special Taste of Fall night from LaCasella. Also there are pumpkins. Many, many pumpkins from which to choose and carve with whatever scary or whimsical design you want – or, you know, to bake pies. Why not both? 

You can also join the kickoff to the month-long Pumpkinpalooza at the Party in the Patch , where you and your kids can enjoy games, entertainment, and enough cotton candy, popcorn, and Italian ices to fuel NASA. 

United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd Ocala  

Monday - Thursday through October 31

Website:  United Methodist Pumpkin Patch

Cootertober

Inverness

In Inverness, October becomes the celebrated “Cootertober” – named after the large river turtles that swim in the local waterways. It’s a monthlong calendar of multiple events, with live music, beer tastings, the Small Town Slam wrestling tournament, the Cootertober Chili Cook-Off and Cornhole Competition, Cooterween, and the Inverness Roper Romp – and that’s not even everything you’ll find. Trust us, you won’t be bored. 

Downtown Inverness, various locations

All of October 2026

Website:  City of Inverness

Queen – A Royal Tribute

Discovered on Canada’s “The Voice” in 2016, Yvan Pedneault was handpicked by Queen legends Brian May and Roger Taylor to star as Galileo in the Canadian production of We Will Rock You. Now, Yvan brings his powerhouse vocals to America with Queen – A Royal Tribute, performing Queen’s biggest hits with top musicians and no gimmicks. Hear favorites including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” and more.

The Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th Street, Ocala 

Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Website:  The Reilly Arts Center 

Appleton Founder’s Week

In honor of founder Arthur I. Appleton’s birthday, the museum is giving everyone a free pass to see everything in their incredible variety of collections from October 13-18, from the permanent collections to the special exhibitions, including Richard Mock’s Politics in Print, Life, Labor, and Lens: Randal Levenson’s Working Class America, and Exposition, Empire, and Expression: Japanese Global Art 1870s - 1970s. You can also explore your own creative side with Artspace,  a vibrant, hands-on place designed for children and adults to explore, create and connect through art. Paint a picture, play with magnetic shapes, read a book about an artist, scribble on the acrylic wall, or weave strips of fabric on a wooden loom; there’s something that’s bound to spark your artistic soul. 

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd Ocala

October 13-18 10am to 5pm (Tuesday through Saturday), Noon - 5pm Sunday

Website:  Appleton Museum of Art

WEC Pet Palooza

If pumpkins aren’t your muse, perhaps consider going to the dogs (and cats) at the 4th Annual WEC Pet Palooza weekend on October 17-18th from 10am to 4pm. This is a total celebration of pets where families can enjoy activities like the Run-N-Paw Mobile Dog Run, a petting zoo and reptile encounters, dog races, costume contests, adoptions, and special appearances by the Amazing Veranica and her Talented Dogs, plus Honey’s Mini Therapy Horses.  Guests can also get free vaccinations and microchips for their pets on Saturday from 11am - 2pm.  Be sure to leash your dogs and head over for the fun! 

Advance tickets: $10, valid all weekend

Box office admission: $12 Adults (13-59), $10 for seniors (60+), military and first responders. Children 12 and under are free. 

World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 

October 17th & 18th, 10am-4pm

Website:  World Equestrian Center Pet Palooza 

Red House Ranch Fall Festival

If you’re into cozy Autumn colors and vibes, this is the festival of your dreams. Spend the day out on a farm with the kids, where you can take a hayride and meet some cows, pick out some pumpkins, navigate your way through their famous crop maze, and feed goats. The festival also features Karson’s Wild West Show, pig races, a putt-putt golf course, pony rides, and bucking barrels – which is just a short list of things to do. There will be a plethora of baked goods to nosh on and lots of great photo opportunities to make great memories. Admission is $15 and includes all activities.  

Red House Ranch, 22480 N US Highway 41 Micanopy 

October 3 - November 8

Website:  Red House Ranch Fall Festival

Ocala Fine Arts Festival 

The Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO) Arts Festival is back Downtown and taking over the sidewalks from October 24-25, where thousands flock from all over the region to enjoy a solid two days of music, great food, live entertainment, demonstrations – and art. The event has become a major Autumn tradition that draws over 40,000 people to Ocala each year. Artists from around the entire country submit applications to exhibit in the art show, and only about 145-150 are selected by an independent panel of judges. It’s a unique and powerful opportunity for artists to see and be seen, sell their work and generate new business, and boost their profile so that they can become more self-sustaining as craftspeople and creators. It’s also a fantastic way for the community to not only support these artists, but also enjoy a weekend out with great food, live music, and some terrific bargains! 

FAFO Arts Festival, Downtown Ocala 

Oct 24-25 

10am-5pm 

Ocala Food & Wine Festival

The Ocala Food & Wine Festival returns for its sixth year at the World Equestrian Center for a weekend of fantastic, world-class cuisine, great wines, and a gastric experience for the foodie in everyone. Everything kicks off on November 7 with a Grand Tasting at the Exposition Center, with unlimited samples of local and national chefs’ creations and a Jazz Brunch at Laillie’s Covered pavilion. You can make it a weekend treat with the Five-Star Festival Package, where you get exclusive access to the Chef’s Dinner and can fully immerse yourself in the gourmet cuisine and glorious luxury at the Equestrian Hotel or Riding Academy hotel. It’s a celebration of food, community, and camaraderie amongst like-minded foodie nerds. 

World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Avenue Ocala

November 6-8

Website:  World Equestrian Center - Food and Wine Festival

Disney’s Aladdin in Concert

Disney’s Aladdin in Concert Live to Film transforms Disney’s beloved 1992 animated classic into an unforgettable live orchestral event. On November 7 and 8, 2026, the Ocala Symphony performs Alan Menken’s Academy Award®-winning score in perfect synchronization with the full film projected on a cinema-quality screen above the stage. Under the baton of Maestro Matthew Wardell, more than 60 professional musicians bring every magical moment — from “Arabian Nights” to “A Whole New World” — vividly to life, while original dialogue and sound effects play seamlessly through the hall’s state-of-the-art system. Presented in the 700-seat AdventHealth Mainstage at the Reilly Arts Center and fully licensed through Disney Concerts, this spectacular,

family-friendly production combines the wonder of the movies with the power of live symphonic music for a truly enchanting experience.  

The Reilly Arts Center Mainstage, 500 NE 9th Street, Ocala

Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM & Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM 

Tickets from $35

Keep an eye out on our website for the Holiday guide in November, and for our upcoming articles featuring more about these and other events that you can mark on your October and November calendars. If you have any questions or need more information, visit the organization websites we’ve hyperlinked, or visit the Ocala Marion Events Calendar and the City of Ocala Events Calendar to find more events and details!