Ocala Florida weekend entertainment highlights include symphony

THIS WEEKEND

‘Nights in the Gardens of Spain’

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra begins its 50th anniversary season with performances at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. Selections will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol,” de Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain,” selections from Bizet’s “Carmen” and the United States premiere of “Castilla” by María de Pablos. More at reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.

HOPS Walking Ghost Tours

These walking tours through downtown Ocala will be held 6:30 and 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25. Cost is $15. For details, call 352-484-0502.

‘Phantoms In The Fort’

The city of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department, in partnership with the Marion County Library System, hosts this event 5-10 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala.

“This free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities beginning at 5 p.m., including hands-on archaeology demonstrations, outdoors games, educational exhibits, food trucks, and live bluegrass music by The Sandy Back Porch Band,” organizers say. “As the sun sets, guests are invited to take a lantern-lit stroll through the historic grounds. From 7 to 9 p.m., Marion County Library storytellers will share spooky tales inside the fort; and as the night grows darker, the stories grow spookier.”

Limited seating; bring chairs or blankets. Parking at the Kline Lot on Northeast 41st Avenue. More at fortkingocala.com or 352-368-5517.

Will McLean Foundation Sunday Sampler Concert Series: Passerine

This concert will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 in the historic Dunnellon Depot, 12061 S. Williams St., Dunnellon. “Passerine’s music occupies a zone somewhere between modern folk, progressive bluegrass, and Americana,” organizers say. Donation is $15 (cash) at the door. More at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577696114027

COMING SOON

‘Beware the House on Haunted Hill’

College of Central Florida theater students will stage this show, a parody of the 1959 film, Oct. 23-26. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students. Tickets at cf.universitytickets.com or 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for CF students, faculty and staff with valid ID. More at CF.edu/theatre

Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest

This free event will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the World Equestrian Center’s indoor Exposition Center 2, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala. Dress your dog in a Halloween costume “and compete for cash prizes, dog swag, WEC merchandise and more,” organizers say. Pre-registration is encouraged; walk-up entries will be accepted as space allows. Pre-register at https://www.showclix.com/event/2025-hocus-pawcus?utm_source=WEC&utm_medium=email+launch&utm_campaign=2025

More at wec.net/events

Ocala Arts Festival

The annual Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO) Ocala Arts Festival will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26 in downtown Ocala. Artists, vendors, food, live entertainment and more. See full details at https://fafo.org/festival

Gainesville Brass Quintet

This concert, part of Joy Lutheran Church’s “Seasons of Joy” concert series, will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at the church, 7045 SW 83rd Place, Ocala. Free admission; a reception follows the concert.

‘There’s Nothin’ to Do in Slowcala!?’

This exhibition from local photographer Tommy Cuevas “captures the everyday vibrance, human and hidden beauty of a community alive with activity,” organizers say. It will be up at the CF Webber Gallery Oct. 27-Dec. 11. The community is invited to a free opening reception 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. More at 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

‘The Crucible’

Ocala Civic Theatre stages Arthur Miller’s classic Oct. 30–Nov. 16. The show is rated PG-13. More at ocalacivictheatre.com or (352) 236-2274.

WEC Halloween Celebration

Families are invited 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 for trick-or-treating on the World Equestrian Center’s Grand Plaza, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala. “Kids can collect treats, decorate cookies and pumpkins and enjoy live music, face painting, a spirited balloon artist and festive photo ops,” organizers say. More at wec.net/events

Free First Saturday Event at Chelsea Art Center

This program, 1-2 p.m. Nov. 1, features Rip Read, internationally renowned Star Muralist, who will teach students how to hand paint glowing and twinkling stars, using a chopstick for a paint brush. Seating is limited. Register now. The Chelsea Art Center is at 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (352) 804-1272 and chelseaartcenter.com

Fifth annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival

This event will be Nov. 7-9 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. “Guests will enjoy world-class cuisine, expert-led tastings, and an exciting student culinary competition — all set against the stunning backdrop of WEC for the ultimate weekend getaway,” organizers say. More at https://worldequestriancenter.com/ocala-fl/events/food-and-wine-festival/

McIntosh 1890s Festival

This annual event will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8 in downtown McIntosh, U.S. 441 between Ocala and Gainesville (GPS address is 5835 Avenue G, McIntosh FL 32664.) Free admission. Parking in privately owned residential and not-for-profit church and school lots. Food vendors, art, arts and crafts, antiques and more. Sponsored by the Friends of McIntosh. More at https://mcintosh1890sfestival.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/mcintoshfestival

ONGOING

‘Elements in Abstract’

This exhibition is up at the SouthState Bank Second Floor Gallery, 1632 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. “Curated by Kayla Moffatt, resident artist at The MAX Ocala, the exhibition brings together ten Florida artists — photographers, painters, fabric artists, and illustrators — each interpreting the elemental forces of earth, water, air, and fire through abstraction,” organizers say. Admission is free.

‘Noctourn: A Show of Good Spirits’

This exhibition is up through October at The Brick Gallery, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. More at https://mcaocala.org/

‘Color Me Courageous: Glimpses of a healing journey through art expressions’

This is the inaugural exhibition at Arts in Health Ocala Metro’s new Healing Arts Gallery, which organizers describe as “a new space dedicated to art that speaks to the innate connection between creativity and healing.” The exhibition, by abstract artist Roseprimevere, is up at the gallery, 2880 NE Eighth Road, Ocala, through March 31, with viewing by appointment: 352-723-5444.

New traveling exhibit at the Discovery Center: ‘Alma’s Way’

“Alma’s Way: Welcome to My Neighborhood!” is up at the Discovery Center through Jan. 3. “Based on the hit PBS KIDS animated series ‘Alma’s Way,’ the immersive exhibit brings the life of six-year-old Alma Rivera to Ocala. Guests can step into Alma’s world by exploring her family duplex, shopping at a neighborhood bodega, visiting a pet clinic, and even taking a subway ride on the iconic six train,” organizers say.

The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org

‘Harvest of Color’

This exhibition is now up at the Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. The show features “57 vibrant and unique works by 31 talented local artists,” according to organizers. “Harvest of Color” can be viewed noon-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday through November.

‘Deconstructing Self: Work by Seth P. Benzel’

This exhibition will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 4. on the second-floor Preview Gallery. These are “two- and three-dimensional paintings” described by organizers as “a compelling exploration of transformation and identity through the lens of abstract painting.”

The Appleton is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at 352-291-4455 or AppletonMuseum.org

‘The Human Pulse’

This photographic series by John Elliott is up at the Appleton Museum of Art’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists June 21-Jan. 18. It features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing “The Human Pulse” series.