Ocala Strawberry Festival
Your complete guide to the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival — Marion County's beloved spring tradition with 235+ vendors, live music, a car show, and fresh strawberries, all benefiting Habitat for Humanity.
The Ocala Strawberry Festival (officially the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival) is a free annual spring festival held each March at McPherson Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470. Organized by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, it features 235+ vendors, live entertainment, a car show, BMX stunts, a kids zone with petting zoo, and fresh strawberries from Plant City. Parking is $5 per vehicle. The 2026 festival was held March 7; the 2027 date is expected in early March.
Free Admission
$5 parking per vehicle
235+ Vendors
Crafts, food, artisan goods
Habitat for Humanity
All proceeds build homes
12+ Years Running
A Marion County tradition since 2014
What Is the Ocala Strawberry Festival?
The Ocala Strawberry Festival — officially called the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival — is an annual community celebration organized by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. Held each March at the McPherson Complex in Ocala, it has grown into one of the largest single-day festivals in the region, drawing thousands of visitors to enjoy fresh strawberries, live entertainment, over 235 vendor booths, and family-friendly attractions.
Unlike many Florida strawberry festivals, the Ocala Strawberry Festival is a charity event at its core. Every dollar raised supports Habitat for Humanity's mission to build affordable homes for families in Marion County. That means your strawberry shortcake purchase, your parking fee, and your vendor booth visit all contribute to creating housing stability for local families in need.
The festival is also sometimes searched as the "Marion County Strawberry Festival" or "Habitat Strawberry Festival." No matter what you call it, it's the same beloved event — and it's one of the most anticipated spring traditions in Ocala.
Key Festival Details
Official Name: Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival
When: First Saturday in March (annually)
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Organizer: Habitat for Humanity of Marion County
Venue: McPherson Complex
Address: 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
Admission: Free
Parking: $5 per vehicle
2026 Festival Recap
The 12th annual festival took place Saturday, March 7, 2026
The 2026 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival — the 12th annual edition — was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the McPherson Complex. Presented by Gettel Automotive, the festival featured over 235 vendors, a full day of live entertainment, and attracted thousands of visitors from across Marion County and beyond.
The 2026 entertainment lineup included performances by Peaches & Karim, Emma Forgette & Band, The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters, Crossroads Band, and electric violinist Jaron Clark. BMX Trickstars delivered high-energy stunt shows, and the always-popular strawberry pie-eating contest returned. The car and truck auto show saw entries across multiple categories with trophy awards. A dedicated kids zone with a petting zoo and games kept younger attendees entertained throughout the day.
5 Live Acts
Full-day entertainment on the main stage plus BMX stunts
Auto Show
Cars, trucks, and classics with trophy awards
Gettel Automotive
2026 presenting sponsor
For the full 2026 entertainment lineup and detailed event breakdown, see our Strawberry Festival Ocala 2026 page.
What to Expect at the Ocala Strawberry Festival
Whether it's your first year or your twelfth, here's what the festival typically offers.
Tickets & Admission
General Admission
FREE
No tickets needed. The Ocala Strawberry Festival is free to attend for all ages. Simply show up at the McPherson Complex between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Parking
$5
Per vehicle. Proceeds are shared between the festival (Habitat for Humanity) and the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. Bring cash for fastest entry.
Food, vendor purchases, and individual kids zone activities have their own prices. Most food items range from $3 to $10. Many vendors accept cash only, so plan accordingly.
Tips for Attending the Ocala Strawberry Festival
Insider advice from locals who've attended every year.
Arrive Early
Gates open at 9 AM and the parking lot fills up fast. Arriving by 9:30 AM gets you close parking and first pick of the freshest strawberries. By 11 AM, expect longer waits for parking and food lines.
Bring Cash
While some vendors accept cards, many are cash-only. Parking is cash-preferred. Bring at least $40-$60 in small bills to cover parking, food, and impulse buys from the vendor booths.
Sunscreen & Shade
The McPherson Complex is mostly outdoors with limited shade. March in Ocala can be sunny and warm. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Consider bringing a small umbrella for shade.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll walk a lot browsing 235+ vendor booths plus entertainment areas. The venue has a mix of grass and paved surfaces. Leave the flip-flops at home and wear supportive shoes.
Bring a Wagon for Kids
If you have young children, a collapsible wagon is a lifesaver. It gives tired legs a break and doubles as a carrier for your vendor purchases. Strollers work too but wagons handle the terrain better.
Bring Folding Chairs
If you want to catch the live entertainment, portable folding chairs or a blanket let you sit comfortably near the main stage. Seating fills quickly during popular performances.
Bring a Cooler for Strawberries
If you plan to buy fresh strawberries (and you should), bring a small cooler with ice packs in your car. March weather can be warm enough to affect fresh berries, especially if you stay all day.
History of the Ocala Strawberry Festival
The first Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival was held in 2014 as a modest community fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. Inspired by the massive Plant City Strawberry Festival in nearby Hillsborough County, organizers saw an opportunity to bring a strawberry-themed celebration to the Ocala area while raising funds for affordable housing.
In its early years, the festival featured a smaller vendor market and local entertainment. But the concept resonated with the community, and each year brought more vendors, bigger acts, and larger crowds. By 2020, the festival had grown to over 200 vendors and was firmly established as a can't-miss spring event on Marion County's calendar.
The addition of the car show, BMX performances by BMX Trickstars, and an expanded kids zone with a petting zoo helped broaden the festival's appeal beyond just strawberry lovers. Today, with 235+ vendors and five-plus live entertainment acts, the Ocala Strawberry Festival is one of the largest annual single-day events in Marion County and one of Habitat for Humanity's most successful fundraisers in the region.
Festival Milestones
2027 Ocala Strawberry Festival
Dates To Be Announced
The 2027 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival (13th annual) has not yet announced its official date. Based on the festival's tradition of being held on the first Saturday in March, the 2027 edition is expected around Saturday, March 6, 2027. However, this is an estimate — the official date will be confirmed by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County later in the year.
We'll update this page as soon as the 2027 date, entertainment lineup, and vendor information are announced. Bookmark this page and check back in late 2026 or early 2027 for the latest details.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Ocala Strawberry Festival is more than strawberries — it's a community coming together to help Habitat for Humanity build homes for families in need.