Ocala Gazette

Free First Saturday - Appleton Museum of Art
2026-03-07 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Visit the Appleton on the March 7 for Free First Saturday! Admission to the museum is free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace.
At 2 p.m. in the auditorium, Dr. David Morton will discuss Florida’s springs and their unique role in shaping the American motion picture industry. Featuring iconic films such as “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” “Thunderball,” “Moonraker,” and “Doc Hollywood,” along with popular TV shows including “Sea Hunt” and “Sea Quest,” Florida’s springs have had an outstanding role in creating unique and inventive stories. Free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservation needed to attend. Seating is limited to 250 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food trucks will be on-site throughout the day.

Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival
2026-03-07 09:00 - 17:00 | 601 SE 25th Avenue, 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL, 34471, United States
Sweet strawberries, tasty food, shopping, live music, and so much more at the 12th Annual Habitat Strawberry Festival!
Proceeds raised from the Habitat Strawberry Festival will go towards building a safe, secure, and affordable home for a hardworking family.
601 SE 25th Avenue Ocala, Fl 34471
jblack@habitatocala.org
Saturday, March 7, 2026
9:00am-5:00pm

First Friday Art Walk
2026-03-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Ocala Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St, Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
The First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month, October 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.

International Women's Day Celebration
2026-03-06 11:30 - 13:30 | CF Klein Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Come celebrate International Women’s Day with Ollin Women International as we celebrate women in Philanthropy. This annual luncheon is filled with friendship and honors the local Ocala / Marion County women who make a difference.
Friday, March 6th 2026 from 11:30am to 1:30pm EST • CF Klein Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474
Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-womens-day-celebration-tickets-1982371285880

The Joint Chiropractic – Limited-Time Offer!
2026-03-06 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-05 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-04 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-02 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-01 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-27 10:00 - 19:00 and 12 more dates | The Joint Chiropractic, 2701 SW College Rd., Suite 107, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
The Joint Chiropractic – Limited-Time Offer!
New patients get their first month of chiropractic care for just $45*
at The Joint Chiropractic in Ocala. Includes up to 4 visits. Walk-ins welcome, no insurance required, with evening and weekend hours available.

Music Box 3: Kristen Stoner and the Flutes of the Ocala Symphony
2026-03-01 15:00 - 17:00 | Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Featuring Ocala Symphony Principal Flute, Kristen Stoner and OSO flutists, Dylan King, Emily Theobald, and Karissa McKinney.

Discover the Ocala Symphony’s Music Box Series!
Join virtuosic musicians from the Ocala Symphony and their talented friends for an intimate chamber music experience in the Reilly’s NOMA Black Box Theatre. These world-class performances go beyond the music, featuring engaging discussions where musicians share insights and stories about the pieces they perform. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy exceptional music in a fun, collaborative setting—up close and personal with the best of the Ocala Symphony!

Dance Alive National Ballet presents Swan Lake
2026-02-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
he most beautiful ballet of all time! SWAN LAKE is the story of a Prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. Featuring Dance Alive National Ballet Principal Dancer, Carla Amancio, as the Swan Queen, the stage is transformed into a world of beauty and artistry. Family friendly.

SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN • Stone Tool Making & Prehistoric Arts Festival
2026-02-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Silver Springs State Park, 1425 NE 58th Ave,, Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Don’t miss the 15th annual Silver River Prehistoric Arts Festival at the beautiful Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida. Expert flint knappers (people who make stone tools such as spear points), archaeologists, shell carvers, potters, hide tanners, bow makers, dugout canoe carvers and other specialists in native skills will gather from across the U.S. to demonstrate their crafts.
This unique event includes displays of ancient Native American stone tools from Florida as well as hands-on activities like archery and pottery making. Experts will give talks on the archaeology of Florida. Vendors offer unique crafts and food for sale.
Visitors can tour the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River.
$10.00 Event admission per person (kids five and under admitted free). Free park entry and parking. Cash or credit accepted.
All proceeds support educational programs at the Silver River Museum.
For more information, call (352) 236-5401 or visit our website
www.SilverRiverMuseum.com
1445 NE 58th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34470

Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll
2026-02-21 11:00 - 17:00 | Tuscawilla Park, 825 NE Watula Ave., Ocala, FL, 34470, United States
Come celebrate the ten, newly installed sculptures from the 2026-2027 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll! This is a FREE event open to the public.
We encourage the community to come and enjoy guided tours of the sculptures at Tuscawilla Park, along with live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, games, food trucks, and the opportunity to vote for their favorite sculpture to win People’s Choice Award.
This free event will host live musical performances by Hot Club SRQ and Safia and the Speak-EZ as well as community performances by Devotion Dance Company and Coeur Ballet Academy.
Awards for the 2026-2027 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Tuscawilla Art Park stage.
For those seeking an elevated way to enjoy the Sculpture Stroll, we’ll host a VIP experience with exclusive access and special perks to make your stroll truly memorable. The VIP experience will include:

Exclusive access to VIP area from 2-5 p.m. at the at the Heart of the Park (516 NE Sanchez Ave.)
Private guided tours of the sculptures
Tapas and cocktails with an open bar
Exclusive meet-and-greet with selected sculptors
Unique event gifts

VIP experience tickets are now on sale.

Ocala/Marion County Braver Angels Alliance
2026-02-19 17:30 | Marion County Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL
“The Marion County Braver Angels alliance encourages courageous citizenship by facilitating conversations across the political divide. At our meeting next week, we will conduct a community forum on the effect of kratom on our community,”
Meeting on Thursday, February 19th, 5:30 pm, Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email dhoswald@gmail.com
Braver Angels to meet Feb. 19 in Ocala
