Halloween Events in Ocala 2026
Trunk or treats, downtown festivals, haunted trails, ghost tours and pumpkin patches in Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon, with dates, times and addresses.
What Halloween Events Are in Ocala This Year?
Ocala's biggest free Halloween events in 2026 are the Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market on Friday, Oct. 9, the City of Ocala's Fort King Haunted Trail on Saturday, Oct. 17, and a cluster of trunk or treats on Oct. 23–24, including the Sheriff's Office Safe and Spooktacular and Belleview's Trunk or Treat. Halloween itself falls on a Saturday.
Because October 31 is a Saturday this year, many hosts moved their events to the weekend before. Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 are the busiest nights on the 2026 calendar. Every event below was checked against the organizer or a 2026 listing in late September. Where sources disagree, we say so.
Browse the full Ocala events calendar, our fall festivals guide, or things to do this weekend.
Downtown Ocala Halloween Events
Downtown's Halloween events are split between the open-air pavilion at the Ocala Downtown Market and Fort King National Historic Landmark, east of downtown. All of them are free.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gray Family Halloween Festival More than 60 vendor booths hand out candy. This is downtown Ocala’s big family trick-or-treat night. | Fri, Oct 9 · 6–10 PM (costume contests 8 PM) | Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala | Free |
| Ghouls Night Out About 100 women-owned vendors. Aimed at adults. | Sat, Oct 10 · 6–9 PM | Ocala Downtown Market, Ocala | Free |
| Fort King Haunted Trail & Phantoms in the Fort Family activities early in the evening; the haunted trail opens after dark. 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. Bring chairs or blankets. | Fri, Oct 23 · 7 PM | Fort King, 3925 E Fort King St, Ocala | Free |
Trunk or Treats and Family Halloween Parties
These are the organized trick-or-treat events in Ocala, Belleview and the surrounding county, in date order. Churches add trunk or treats through October, so check back as Halloween gets closer.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County Parks & Rec Fall Carnival Bounce houses, costume contests, hayrides, petting zoo. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| City of Ocala Boo Bash Games, spooky activities and candy. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Run by City of Ocala Recreation & Parks. | Sat, Oct 31 · 5:30–7:30 PM | Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave, Ocala | Free |
| Poloween at Ocala Polo Club Costumed polo and tailgate trick-or-treating. The club’s Polo-ween page shows Oct 25, so confirm the date. | 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 are age-restricted, so check the event page before buying tickets.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Sat, Oct 3 · 8 AM | Baseline Road Trailhead, 4255 SE 58th Ave, Ocala | 5K $30 · 10K $45 · Half $65 |
| Fear Circus (ages 13+) | Fri, Oct 2 · 8:30 PM | Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd | $30 |
| 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 |
| HOPS Walking Ghost Tour Historic district walk led by the Historic Ocala Preservation Society. | Sat, Oct 10, 17 & 24 · 6 and 8 PM | Bryant House, 712 E Fort King St, Ocala | Ticketed; limited spots |
| Phantasmagoria XVII: Frankenstein | Sun, Oct 11 · 2 and 6:30 PM | Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd | $30 |
| The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (18+) | Oct 16–17 and Oct 30–31 | Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala | $23–$38 |
| 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 are confirmed for 2026. More options, including farms outside the county, are on our Ocala pumpkin patch guide and fall activities guide.
| Event | When (2026) | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala Pumpkin Patch at First United Methodist Church Visit Ocala lists weekday afternoon and Saturday hours; the church posts its opening date on its own site. | Oct 1–31 | 1126 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala | Not listed |
| Fall Festival at Cannon Farms U-pick pumpkin field, hayrides, petting zoo and vendors. Check the farm’s Facebook for 2026 hours. | Weekends, late September through early November | 11801 SW 180th Ave, Dunnellon | See the farm’s page |
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 falls on a Saturday. Most organized events moved to Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24. Some church trunk or treats and the late Rocky Horror shows stay on Oct. 30–31.
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.
Halloween in Ocala: Frequently Asked Questions
What Halloween events are in Ocala in 2026?
Major Halloween 2026 events in Ocala include the Gray Family Halloween Festival at the Ocala Downtown Market (Friday, Oct. 9, 6–10 p.m., free), the Fort King Haunted Trail (Saturday, Oct. 17, 5–10 p.m., free), Horse-O-Ween downtown (Friday, Oct. 23), the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Safe and Spooktacular (Friday, Oct. 23), and trunk or treats in Ocala and Belleview on Oct. 23–24.
Where can kids trick-or-treat in Ocala?
The biggest organized trick-or-treat in downtown Ocala is the Gray Family Halloween Festival, where more than 60 vendors hand out candy at the Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Free trunk or treats include Burnyzz Speed Shop (Oct. 10), the Sheriff’s Office party and Krystal Automotive (Oct. 23), and Belleview and American Legion Post 27 (Oct. 24).
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 falls on a Saturday.
Are there haunted houses or haunted trails in Ocala?
Yes. The City of Ocala’s free Fort King Haunted Trail is Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. A Nightmare on Pine Street at Wayne’s World of Paintball is canceled for 2026. The Historic Ocala Preservation Society runs walking ghost tours on Oct. 10, 17 and 24.
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, runs Oct. 1–31, 2026. Cannon Farms, 11801 SW 180th Ave in Dunnellon, has a u-pick pumpkin field with hayrides and a petting zoo on fall weekends.
What Halloween events are free in Ocala?
Free 2026 Halloween events include the Gray Family Halloween Festival (Oct. 9), Ghouls Night Out (Oct. 10), the Fort King Haunted Trail (Oct. 17), Horse-O-Ween and After Dark in the Park (Oct. 23), the Sheriff’s Office Safe and Spooktacular (Oct. 23), and the Burnyzz, Krystal Automotive, Belleview and Ruck or Treat trunk or treats.
More Fall Fun in Ocala
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
Dates and times were checked on September 26, 2026. Hosts sometimes change plans, so confirm with the organizer before you go. 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.
Eventos de Halloween en Ocala 2026
En 2026, Halloween cae en sábado y muchos eventos de Ocala y el Condado de Marion se adelantan al fin de semana del 23 y 24 de octubre. El Gray Family Halloween Festival se celebra el viernes 9 de octubre 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. El sendero embrujado de Fort King, en 3925 E Fort King St, es gratis el sábado 17 de octubre de 5 a 10 p.m. La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Marion ofrece su fiesta gratuita Safe and Spooktacular el viernes 23 de octubre de 6 a 8:30 p.m., y Belleview celebra su Trunk or Treat gratis el sábado 24 de octubre de 4 a 7 p.m.
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.