Things to Do with Kids in Ocala

The Reilly Arts Center celebrates the Marion Theatre's 85th Birthday with a special evening at the historic [Marion Theatre](/reilly-arts-center-ocala), 50 S Magnolia Ave in downtown Ocala, on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The celebration marks 85 years of the Marion Theatre as a downtown Ocala landmark for film and live entertainment. Held at the Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala, Marion County, the event invites the community to look back on the venue's long history as a gathering place. Tickets are available through the Reilly Arts Center box office and website.

The Reilly Arts Center presents Blues in the Box: Will Johns, an intimate performance in the [Midgett Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center](/reilly-arts-center-ocala), 500 NE 9th Street in Ocala, on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. British blues artist Will Johns blends classic and modern blues rock in a close-up, club-style setting. The concert is held in the Midgett Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, Marion County. Tickets are available through the Reilly Arts Center box office and website.

Welcoming the cooler autumn breeze, this fall edition of the Ocala Downtown Market showcases seasonal squash, pumpkins, local honey, and warm baked goods in the spacious covered pavilion. Local crafters feature hand-poured soy candles in fall scents, customized rustic woodworking, and autumnal floral arrangements. Located at the corner of SE 3rd Street and SE 3rd Avenue, the Ocala Downtown Market brings together over 80 vendors every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, rain or shine. It is a family-friendly venue featuring a children's playground, immediate access to the Citizens' Circle splash pad, and a permanent coffee stand. It is adjacent to the O-Trak pedestrian and bicycle path, making it highly accessible for visitors walking or cycling from the historic downtown square. This specific market event is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the downtown pavilion.

Super Pickle, a musical parody built around the pickleball craze, comes to the Reilly Arts Center Main Theater at 500 NE 9th Street in Ocala. The comedy stage production takes aim at the sport that has swept Marion County's parks and recreation centers, played for laughs with a full musical score. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. The Main Theater seats roughly 700 and anchors the Reilly's performance campus just north of downtown Ocala. Tickets are available through the Reilly Arts Center box office and website.

The World Equestrian Center showcases top horse-and-rider combinations competing in show jumping, dressage, and hunter classes during its annual Championship Show. Spectators are invited to watch competitive equestrian events in state-of-the-art arenas. The complex offers dining, retail shops, and family activities throughout the week, with free admission and parking.

The September Friday Foodie Fest at Lake Lillian Park brings the Belleview community together for a late-summer culinary celebration. Food truck vendors serve up classic southern barbecue, wood-fired pizzas, gourmet sliders, and sweet treats. In addition to a wide range of food options, families can enjoy free kids' crafts, face painting, and inflatable slides.

Welcoming the cooler autumn breeze, this fall edition of the Ocala Downtown Market showcases seasonal squash, pumpkins, local honey, and warm baked goods in the spacious covered pavilion. Live acoustic music adds a festive atmosphere as shoppers explore farm-fresh ingredients and hot food truck specials. Located at the corner of SE 3rd Street and SE 3rd Avenue, the Ocala Downtown Market brings together over 80 vendors every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, rain or shine. It is a family-friendly venue featuring a children's playground, immediate access to the Citizens' Circle splash pad, and a permanent coffee stand. It is adjacent to the O-Trak pedestrian and bicycle path, making it highly accessible for visitors walking or cycling from the historic downtown square. This specific market event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the downtown pavilion.

The [World Equestrian Center](/businesses/world-equestrian-center) hosts Emma's Patisserie Experience at its Ocala campus, 1390 NW 80th Ave. The afternoon event is built around the resort's pastry program, part of the dining and hospitality calendar that runs alongside WEC's equestrian competition schedule. The experience begins Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. WEC Ocala is the largest equestrian complex in the United States and was named to TIME's 2024 World's Greatest Places list. Tickets and seating details are available through the World Equestrian Center events page.