Halloween 2026 in Ocala: What Happened and What to Expect in 2027
A record of the Halloween events Ocala, Dunnellon and Silver Springs held on Friday, Oct. 30, and Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, with times, addresses and prices as listed. Organizers have not announced 2027 dates; this page will be updated when they do.
Halloween Weekend in Ocala, Oct. 30–31, 2026: The Record
The biggest Halloween events in Ocala in 2026 were the free Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 10 p.m.; the City of Ocala's free indoor Boo Bash the same evening, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St.; and Spellbound Silver at Silver Springs State Park, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. On Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon hosted a free Haunted Walk & Carnival. Organizers have not announced 2027 dates; Halloween 2027 falls on Sunday, Oct. 31. Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1; see our daylight saving time guide, and see what is next in Ocala.
Friday, Oct. 30
- Trunk or Treat at Great American Self Storage · 5–8 PM · 9190 SW State Road 200, Ocala · Free
- City of Ocala Boo Bash · 5:30–7:30 PM · E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St · Free
- The Gray Family Halloween Festival · 6–10 PM · Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave · Free
- Spellbound Silver Festival and Ball · 6:30–10:30 PM · Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd · $10 per person
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (18+) · Evening showtimes · Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave · $23–$38
Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)
- Spooky Skelebration (ages 5–12) · 2 PM · Headquarters Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd
- Haunted Walk & Carnival at St. John the Baptist · 6:30–8:30 PM · 7525 S US Hwy 41, Dunnellon · Free
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (18+) · Evening showtimes · Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave · $23–$38
- Poloween at Ocala Polo Club · Per the club’s schedule · Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Hwy 475
Times and prices are as listed on the Ocala events calendar before Halloween weekend; the City of Ocala Boo Bash details match the City's Oct. 20, 2026, announcement and its Any Age Programs page, which listed it as a free program. Events held earlier in October are listed further down. See also the fall festivals guide and things to do in Ocala this weekend.
Downtown Ocala Halloween Events
Downtown's Halloween events were held at the open-air pavilion at the Ocala Downtown Market. The Gray Family Halloween Festival was free.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gray Family Halloween Festival More than 60 vendor booths handed out candy at downtown Ocala’s big family trick-or-treat night. | Fri, Oct 30 · 6–10 PM (costume contests 8 PM) | Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala | Free |
Trunk or Treats and Family Halloween Parties
These were the organized trick-or-treat events on Halloween weekend in Ocala and the surrounding county, in date order; the Oct. 23–29 events are in the earlier-in-October list below. The full car-to-car record with organizers, addresses and free options is on Ocala trunk or treat 2026. For neighborhood trick-or-treating, hours and safety tips, see our guide to where to trick or treat in Ocala.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Ocala Boo Bash Indoor trick-or-treating, games, spooky activities, crafts, music and candy. Costumes were encouraged, all ages were welcome and children had to be accompanied by an adult. Run by City of Ocala Recreation & Parks. | Fri, Oct 30 · 5:30–7:30 PM | E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala | Free |
| Halloween Monster Mash & Trick or Treat Bash Interactive event with favorite movie and cartoon characters and candy for all ages while supplies lasted. | Fri, Oct 30 · 6–7 PM | Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Rd, Ocala | Free |
| Poloween at Ocala Polo Club Costumed polo and tailgate trick-or-treating. The club’s Polo-ween page showed Oct 25 at the last check, so the Oct. 31 date was not independently confirmed. | Sat, Oct 31 (per the club’s ticket schedule) | Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Hwy 475, Ocala | Tailgate reservations |
Haunted Trails, Ghost Tours and Spooky Shows
For older kids, teens and adults. Several of these were age-restricted. Full haunted houses outside the county, including Homestead Haunt and Kirby Farm’s ScaryTrain in Williston, are on our haunted houses near Ocala 2026 page.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spellbound Silver Festival and Ball Night festival around the headsprings with a nighttime spider walk. Proceeds support the Friends of Silver Springs. | Fri, Oct 30 · 6:30–10:30 PM | Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd | $10 per person |
| A Nightmare on Pine Street haunted trail: CANCELED for 2026 Wayne’s World of Paintball announced the cancellation on Facebook on Sept. 23, citing complications with its request to the city. | Canceled (had been planned for Oct 9–10, 16–17, 23–24) | Wayne’s World of Paintball, 4841 S Pine Ave, Ocala | Canceled |
| The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (18+) | Fri–Sat, Oct 30–31 (also ran Oct 16–17) | Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala | $23–$38 |
| Haunted Walk & Carnival at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Family-friendly haunted walk with costumed characters, candy stations, carnival games and prizes in the parish back field. | Sat, Oct 31 · 6:30–8:30 PM | 7525 S US Hwy 41, Dunnellon | Free |
Earlier in October 2026
These October 2026 Halloween events took place before Halloween weekend. They are listed as a record and for planning next year.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fear Circus (ages 13+) | Fri, Oct 2 · 8:30 PM | Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd | $30 |
| Marion County Parks & Rec Fall Carnival | Sat, Oct 3 · from 5 PM | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala | Free; youth armbands $5 or 5 canned goods |
| Burnyzz Car Show & Trunk or Treat | Sat, Oct 10 · 4–7 PM | Burnyzz Speed Shop, 1 Aspen Rd, Ocala | Free |
| Ghouls Night Out | Sat, Oct 10 · 6–9 PM | Ocala Downtown Market, Ocala | Free |
| Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein | Sun, Oct 11 · 2 and 6:30 PM | Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd | $30 |
| Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Sat, Oct 17 · 8 AM | Baseline Road Trailhead, Ocala | 5K $30 · 10K $45 · Half $65 · $5 ages 1–15 |
| Fort King Haunted Trail & Phantoms in the Fort Run by City of Ocala Recreation & Parks. | Sat, Oct 17 · 5–10 PM | Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St, Ocala | Free |
| Horse-O-Ween Equine industry expo plus hobby-horse games for kids. | Fri, Oct 23 · 3:30–8 PM | Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala | Free |
| After Dark in the Park: Young Frankenstein Outdoor movie night. | Fri, Oct 23 · 7 PM | Fort King, 3925 E Fort King St, Ocala | Free |
| MCSO Safe and Spooktacular Halloween Party Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The location has changed in past years, so check MCSO’s social media first. | Fri, Oct 23 · 6–8:30 PM | 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala | Free |
| Krystal Automotive Boo Bash & Trunk or Treat | Fri, Oct 23 · 5–8 PM | 7299 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala | Free |
| Howl-O-Ween Pawty (Humane Society of Marion County) Costumes for people and pets. | Fri, Oct 23 · 5:30–8 PM | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala | $5 ages 13+; kids 12 and under and pets free |
| Belleview Trunk or Treat Held at Lake Lillian Park in 2025. Confirm the venue with the City of Belleview. | Sat, Oct 24 · 4–7 PM | Listed at Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview | Free |
| Spooktacular BOOtastic Halloween Dozens of candy stations, games, costume contests and a dance party with DJ Victor. | Sat, Oct 24 · 10 AM–noon | Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Ln, Ocala | Free trick-or-treating; bounce tickets and food extra |
| Ruck or Treat (American Legion Post 27) | Sat, Oct 24 · 3–7 PM | Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St, Ocala | Free |
| Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest Dog costume contest; winners at 6:45 PM. | Sat, Oct 24 · 5–7 PM | World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala | Free to enter and watch |
| Paddock Mall Candy Crawl Indoor trick-or-treating at participating stores. No full-face masks or weapon props. | Thu, Oct 29 · 5–6:30 PM | Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Rd, Ocala | Free |
| Greenway Trick 'R Trot (night trail race) | Sat, Oct 24 · 5K 5:45 PM, 10K 6:45 PM | Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground, 12788 SW 69th Ct, Ocala (moved from Pruitt Trailhead for 2026) | 5K $45 · 10K $55 · both $75 |
| HOPS Walking Ghost Tour Historic district walk led by the Historic Ocala Preservation Society. | Sat, Oct 24 · 6 and 8 PM (last 2026 date; tours also ran Oct 10 and 17) | Bryant House, 712 E Fort King St, Ocala | Ticketed; limited spots |
| Park After Dark: Little Shop of Horrors | Tue, Oct 27 · movie 7 PM | Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala | $5 per car; register ahead |
Pumpkin Patches Near Ocala
Two long-running patches were confirmed for 2026; Cannon Farms stays open through Sunday, Nov. 1. More options, including farms outside the county, are on our Ocala pumpkin patch guide and fall activities guide, and our news guide to pumpkin patches near Ocala covers church patch pop-ups and fall festivals with hayrides and corn mazes.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala Pumpkin Patch at First United Methodist Church Visit Ocala listed weekday afternoon and Saturday hours; the church posted its opening date on its own site. The patch’s scheduled run ends Oct. 31. | Oct 1–31 | 1126 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala | Not listed |
| Fall Festival at Cannon Farms Pumpkin patch, flower fields, crop mazes and farm animals during all regular hours; wagon rides, live music, vendors and food trucks on weekends. | Sept. 26 through Nov. 1, 2026 (pumpkin picking while supplies last); Tue–Wed 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thu–Sat 10 a.m.–sunset, Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Mon | 11801 SW 180th Ave Rd, Dunnellon | General admission $10, Fun Pass $20, ages 2 and under free; pumpkins priced separately |
Trick-or-Treat Hours in Ocala
Neither the City of Ocala nor Marion County sets official trick-or-treat hours. Neighborhood trick-or-treating usually happens in the early evening on October 31.
In 2026, Halloween fell on a Saturday. Many organized events were held the weekend before, on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, while the Gray Family Halloween Festival, the City of Ocala Boo Bash and the late Rocky Horror shows were on Oct. 30–31. Halloween 2027 falls on a Sunday, Oct. 31, and no organized events have been announced yet.
Halloween Safety Tips
- Stay in groups, and have an adult go with younger children.
- Add reflective tape, a flashlight or glow sticks to dark costumes. Many Marion County neighborhoods have no sidewalks.
- Check candy before kids eat it.
- Ocala evenings can still be warm in October, so bring water for outdoor events.
After Halloween: What's Next in Ocala
Halloween 2027 falls on Sunday, Oct. 31, and organizers have not announced 2027 dates. In the meantime, the fall and holiday calendar continues with Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26, Black Friday on Nov. 27 and the Christmas season.
Veterans Day in Ocala
Ceremonies, concerts and events honoring veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11
Learn more →Thanksgiving in Ocala
Thanksgiving Day events, races and dining in Marion County
Learn more →Black Friday in Ocala
Store hours and shopping options the day after Thanksgiving
Learn more →Christmas events in Ocala
Holiday events, lights and traditions across Marion County
Learn more →Christmas parades in Marion County
Parade dates and routes around the county
Learn more →Light Up Ocala
The downtown holiday lighting celebration
Learn more →Halloween in Ocala: Frequently Asked Questions
What Halloween events were held in Ocala on Oct. 30 and 31, 2026?
On Friday, Oct. 30, 2026: the free Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market (6–10 p.m.), the free City of Ocala Boo Bash at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. (5:30–7:30 p.m.), the Great American Self Storage trunk or treat on SW State Road 200 (5–8 p.m.), the Silver Springs Shores Monster Mash (6–7 p.m.) and Spellbound Silver at Silver Springs State Park ($10). On Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31: the library’s Spooky Skelebration (2 p.m.), Poloween at the Florida Horse Park and the free Haunted Walk & Carnival in Dunnellon (6:30–8:30 p.m.).
Where did kids trick-or-treat in Ocala in 2026?
The biggest organized trick-or-treat in downtown Ocala was the Gray Family Halloween Festival, where more than 60 vendors handed out candy at the Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. The City of Ocala’s indoor Boo Bash was the same evening, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center. The last free trunk or treat on our list was Great American Self Storage, 9190 SW State Road 200, on Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.; earlier ones were held Oct. 23–29.
Does Ocala set official trick-or-treat hours?
We found no City of Ocala or Marion County ordinance setting trick-or-treat hours. Neighborhood trick-or-treating in Marion County generally happens in the early evening on October 31. In 2026, Halloween fell on a Saturday; in 2027 it falls on a Sunday.
Were there haunted houses or haunted trails in Ocala in 2026?
The City of Ocala’s free Fort King Haunted Trail was held Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and A Nightmare on Pine Street at Wayne’s World of Paintball was canceled for 2026. The Historic Ocala Preservation Society’s walking ghost tours ended Oct. 24. The season closed with the Spellbound Silver night festival and spider walk at Silver Springs State Park on Friday, Oct. 30, and the Haunted Walk & Carnival at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Is there a Halloween on Central event in Ocala?
No. An earlier version of this page described a downtown event called “Halloween on Central.” No such event exists, and downtown Ocala has no Central Street. The family trick-or-treat festival downtown is the Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market.
Where are pumpkin patches near Ocala?
The Ocala Pumpkin Patch at First United Methodist Church, 1126 E Silver Springs Blvd, was scheduled to run Oct. 1–31, 2026. Cannon Farms, 11801 SW 180th Ave Rd in Dunnellon, lists its pumpkin patch as open during all regular hours through Nov. 1, 2026, while supplies last, with wagon rides on weekends.
What Halloween events were free in Ocala in 2026?
Free Halloween events in 2026 included the Gray Family Halloween Festival, the City of Ocala Boo Bash and the Great American Self Storage trunk or treat (Oct. 30), and the Haunted Walk & Carnival in Dunnellon (Oct. 31).
When is Halloween 2027 in Ocala, and what events have been announced?
Halloween 2027 falls on Sunday, Oct. 31. As of Oct. 31, 2026, organizers have not announced 2027 dates for the Gray Family Halloween Festival, the City of Ocala Boo Bash, Spellbound Silver or the other events listed here, and Only In Ocala will update this page when they do.
What is happening in Ocala after Halloween?
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, followed by Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26, Black Friday on Nov. 27, and the Christmas season, including Light Up Ocala and the Ocala Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12. Only In Ocala has guides to each.
More Fall Fun in Ocala
Ocala trunk or treat 2026
A record of every free trunk or treat in Ocala and Belleview in 2026, with addresses and organizers
Learn more →Haunted houses near Ocala 2026
Fort King Haunted Trail, the Lost Souls river tour and the Williston haunts
Learn more →Brown’s Adventure Farm (Brown and Brown Farm)
7 Weekends of Fall in Oxford: dates, hours and tickets
Learn more →Where to trick or treat near me in Ocala
The 2026 trunk or treats by date and area, plus safety tips for next year
Learn more →Pumpkin Patches
Pick-your-own farms and patches around Marion County
Learn more →Fall Festivals
Harvest festivals, the Ocala Arts Festival and chili cook-off
Learn more →Fall Activities
Autumn things to do in Ocala
Learn more →Kids Activities
Family-friendly things to do year-round
Learn more →Halloween stores and costume shops
Where to buy costumes and decorations in Ocala, from seasonal pop-ups to year-round shops
Learn more →Daylight saving time ends in Ocala
Clocks go back Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026; sunset is 5:42 p.m. that evening
Learn more →Clocks fall back Nov. 1
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, the morning after Halloween
Learn more →Sources
- Visit Ocala — Halloween festivities in Ocala/Marion County (2026)
- Visit Ocala — The Gray Family Halloween Festival 2026
- Visit Ocala — Ocala pumpkin patches (2026)
- Fun 4 Ocala Kids — Marion County trick-or-treating events (2026)
- Historic Ocala Preservation Society — Ghost Tours
- Ocala Polo Club — Fall 2026 schedule and tailgates
- World Equestrian Center Ocala — events
- City of Belleview — local events
- City of Ocala — Boo Bash 2026 press release (Oct. 20, 2026)
- City of Ocala Recreation & Parks — Any Age Programs (Boo Bash listed as a free program)
Dates and times were first checked on September 26, 2026; the Oct. 30–31 list was rechecked against the events calendar on October 29, 2026, while Poloween's Oct. 31 listing was not independently confirmed (the Ocala Polo Club's own page showed Oct. 25). This page was converted to a post-Halloween record on October 31, 2026. Know of an event we missed? Tell us.
Correction: earlier versions of this page described a downtown event called "Halloween on Central." That event does not exist, and it has been removed. See our editorial guidelines.
Halloween 2026 en Ocala: resumen y perspectiva para 2027
En 2026, Halloween cayó en sábado 31 de octubre, y muchos eventos de Ocala y el Condado de Marion se adelantaron al fin de semana del 23 y 24 de octubre. La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Marion ofreció su fiesta gratuita Safe and Spooktacular el viernes 23 de octubre de 6 a 8:30 p.m., y Belleview celebró su Trunk or Treat gratis el sábado 24 de octubre de 4 a 7 p.m. El viernes 30 de octubre, la Ciudad de Ocala realizó su Boo Bash gratuito bajo techo de 5:30 a 7:30 p.m. en el E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. Esa misma noche, el Gray Family Halloween Festival se celebró de 6 a 10 p.m. en el Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, con dulces de más de 60 vendedores y entrada gratis. Los organizadores no han anunciado fechas para 2027; Halloween caerá en domingo 31 de octubre de 2027.
Plan Ahead — Other Ocala Holidays
Bookmark these year-round Ocala holiday and seasonal guides for parades, fireworks, kid-friendly events, and family traditions in Marion County.