The 54th Annual Ocala Arts Festival returns to downtown this weekend with over 150 artists, live performances, food vendors, and hands-on activities for kids and families.
The 2024 Ocala Arts Festival will be held on October 26 and October 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Ocala (1 NE 1st Avenue).
The festival is free and open to the public and pets are allowed. The event will feature more than 150 artists from across the country and guests will be able to sample food from local vendors. There will be several, special hands-on activities for kids during the two-day event as well.
Additionally, live performances will be taking place throughout the Historic Downtown Square.
This year’s food vendors include several local favorites like Big Lee’s BBQ, Gran Arepas, Kona Ice, and MexiRican Cuisine, among others.
On Tuesday, the city announced a series of road closures that will be in effect during the event. The following road closures will begin on Friday, October 25, at 5 a.m. and will be in effect until Sunday, October 27 at 11:30 p.m.:
• SE First Avenue, from SE Third Street to E Silver Springs Boulevard
• E Broadway Street, from SW First Avenue to Osceola Avenue
• SW First Ave from SW Broadway Street to SW Second Street
• E Fort King Street, from Osceola Avenue to SW Second Street
• SE Second Street, from Osceola Avenue to SW First Ave
• SE Magnolia Avenue, from SE Third Street to Silver Springs Boulevard
The following additional road closure will be in effect on Saturday, October 26 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
• SW/SE Third Street, from Osceola Ave to Watula Avenue to accommodate the Ocala Downtown Market