McIntosh 1890s Festival
A one-day festival on the shaded, oak-lined streets of historic McIntosh in north Marion County, with more than 250 vendors, food, live music by local musicians and family-friendly activities.
The 2026 McIntosh 1890s Festival is Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., around Van Ness Park, 5822 Avenue F, McIntosh, FL 32664. McIntosh is in north Marion County on US-441 between Ocala and Gainesville. Admission is free, and more than 250 vendors, food vendors, church-prepared meals and local live music fill the town for the day.
What Is the McIntosh 1890s Festival?
The McIntosh 1890s Festival is a one-day October festival in the small historic town of McIntosh, located in north Marion County on US-441 between Ocala and Gainesville. Founded in 1974, the festival has grown, according to WCJB, from roughly 4,000 attendees to about 35,000; the official festival website reports more than 30,000 attendees.
The 2026 festival takes place Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., centered on Van Ness Park at 5822 Avenue F. Vendor booths line Avenue F, Avenue G and 4th through 8th Streets, and the east side of town is closed to all traffic. More than 250 vendors offer fine art, handcrafted goods, antiques, jewelry, vintage-inspired items, home décor, gifts and specialty products.
For about 50 years the festival was run by the nonprofit Friends of McIntosh. On January 13, 2026, the group announced it would permanently discontinue the event, citing rising costs, a shrinking and aging membership and declining community support. On January 20, 2026, the McIntosh Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution allowing a newly formed volunteer board to run the festival. Full coverage is in the Only In Ocala article The McIntosh 1890s Festival Returns in 2026, and the festival is listed on the events calendar.
What to Expect at the Festival
250+ Vendors
Vendors offer fine art, handcrafted goods, antiques, jewelry, vintage-inspired items, home décor, gifts and specialty products along Avenue F, Avenue G and 4th through 8th Streets.
Live Music & Family Activities
Local musicians perform live music during the festival, and family-friendly activities are offered throughout the day.
Food
Food vendors are joined by meals prepared by local churches.
Self-Guided Historic Tours
Visitors can take self-guided tours of McIntosh's historic sites and walk the town's shaded, oak-lined streets and preserved architecture. More about the town is on the McIntosh, Florida guide.
Visitor Planning Guide
Getting There & Parking
- -McIntosh is in north Marion County on US-441 between Ocala and Gainesville
- -The festival and the Town of McIntosh do not provide parking
- -Private property owners offer parking on their property for a small fee
- -The east side of town is closed to all traffic during the festival
Key Details
- -Saturday, October 17, 2026, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (one day only)
- -Admission is free, per the Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau
- -Centered on Van Ness Park, 5822 Avenue F, McIntosh, FL 32664
- -Official site and 2026 festival map: mcintosh-1890s-festival.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the McIntosh 1890s Festival?▼
The McIntosh 1890s Festival is held in October. The 2026 festival takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a one-day event.
Where is the McIntosh 1890s Festival held?▼
The festival is held around Van Ness Park, 5822 Avenue F, McIntosh, FL 32664, with vendor booths on Avenue F, Avenue G and 4th through 8th Streets. The east side of town is closed to all traffic during the festival. McIntosh is in north Marion County on US-441 between Ocala and Gainesville.
Is there parking at the McIntosh Festival?▼
The festival and the Town of McIntosh do not provide parking. Private property owners in town offer parking on their property for a small fee.
How much is admission to the McIntosh 1890s Festival?▼
Admission is free, according to the Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau. Food and vendor purchases are paid for separately.
What vendors and activities are at the McIntosh Festival?▼
More than 250 vendors offer fine art, handcrafted goods, antiques, jewelry, vintage-inspired items, home décor, gifts and specialty products. The festival also features food vendors, meals prepared by local churches, live music by local musicians, family-friendly activities and self-guided tours of McIntosh historic sites.
Who organizes the McIntosh 1890s Festival?▼
The nonprofit Friends of McIntosh ran the festival for about 50 years before announcing on January 13, 2026 that it would permanently discontinue it, citing rising costs, a shrinking and aging membership and declining community support. On January 20, 2026, the McIntosh Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution allowing a newly formed volunteer board to run the festival.
Full Festival Guide
The complete Only In Ocala guide to the 2026 McIntosh 1890s Festival, including parking, admission and the festival layout, is on the main festival page.
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