Symphony Under the Stars in Ocala
Fine Arts For Ocala presents Symphony Under the Stars each Mother's Day at the Ocala Golf Club: an outdoor evening with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, live entertainment, food trucks and fireworks. The next Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9, 2027.
FAFO's Symphony Under the Stars pageSymphony Under the Stars at a Glance
When
Each Mother's Day. 2027: Sunday, May 9 (FAFO has not posted 2027 details). 2026: Sunday, May 10.
Where
Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470
2026 Schedule
Gates 3 p.m.; entertainment 5 p.m.; symphony 7:15 p.m.; fireworks 9 p.m. Rain or shine.
Tickets
Sold through Zeffy from FAFO's site: general admission, the Maestro's Meal Experience and the Overture Oasis lounge. Prices are not listed on FAFO's page.
What Happens at Symphony Under the Stars
Fine Arts For Ocala, which has promoted the fine arts and art education in Ocala since 1966, puts on Symphony Under the Stars each Mother's Day at the Ocala Golf Club. FAFO describes the evening as being in support of FAFO and its Ocala Fine Arts Festival, held downtown on Oct. 24 and 25, 2026.
According to FAFO's Symphony Under the Stars page, the 2026 concert on Sunday, May 10, featured the Ocala Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Matthew Wardell, a performance by the Becky Baby Band, local food trucks, El Bell's Flower Truck, face painting for children and a fireworks finale. Palm Chevrolet is the presenting sponsor. The event is held rain or shine.
Guests may bring their own picnic and beverages, including alcohol, or buy food and drinks on site. Ticket options are general admission, the Maestro's Meal Experience and the Overture Oasis lounge. FAFO's Symphony FAQ describes the VIP ticket as including VIP parking, a lanyard, a full dinner with service from 5 p.m., two drink tickets with a cash bar or BYOB, a roped-off area with Adirondack chairs, enhanced orchestra audio in the clubhouse and private clubhouse restrooms. A limited number of Adirondack chairs can also be rented, and they sell out.
The 2026 Schedule (Last Year's Format)
FAFO had not posted the 2027 lineup or times when this page was checked. This is how the May 10, 2026, concert ran, from FAFO's event page.
- 3 p.m.Gates open
- 5 p.m.Live entertainment begins
- 7:15 p.m.Ocala Symphony Orchestra
- 9 p.m.Fireworks finale
FAFO's FAQ page gives slightly different times (orchestra at 7 p.m., fireworks at about 8:45 p.m.). The schedule above is from the 2026 event page.
Parking, Seating and Rules
The Ocala Golf Club is at 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd. FAFO sells pre-paid parking in a lot on NE 2nd Place; those spaces must be bought before the event and sell out. Its FAQ also points guests to parking at the Ocala Library and the surrounding areas.
Guests may arrive when gates open at 3 p.m. to set down blankets or chairs and then leave the event zone and return. Guests who need assistance enter through the club's main entrance, where FAFO volunteers with golf carts help them. Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the event zone; service dogs are admitted with paperwork shown at the gate.
Not to Be Confused With Symphony Under the Lights
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra also plays a free outdoor concert each December, but that event is Symphony Under the Lights, not Symphony Under the Stars. The 23rd Annual Symphony Under the Lights is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Tuscawilla Park, with members of the Ocala Youth Symphony; it is free, no tickets are required, and guests are asked to bring a blanket or chair, according to the Reilly Arts Center.
Symphony Under the Lights 2026 event listingMore Mother's Day ideas are in our Mother's Day in Ocala guide, and the orchestra's indoor season is covered in our Reilly Arts Center guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Symphony Under the Stars in Ocala?
Symphony Under the Stars is an outdoor Mother’s Day concert presented by Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) at the Ocala Golf Club. The 2026 edition featured the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Matthew Wardell, the Becky Baby Band and a fireworks finale.
When is Symphony Under the Stars 2027?
FAFO holds the concert each Mother’s Day, which falls on Sunday, May 9, 2027. FAFO had not posted 2027 details when this page was checked on Oct. 21, 2026. The 2026 concert was Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Where is Symphony Under the Stars held?
The concert is held at the Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470. FAFO’s FAQ directs guests who need assistance to the club’s main entrance, where volunteers with golf carts help them in.
What time did Symphony Under the Stars start in 2026?
In 2026, gates opened at 3 p.m., live entertainment began at 5 p.m., the symphony played at 7:15 p.m. and fireworks followed at 9 p.m., according to FAFO. The event is rain or shine.
Can I bring food and alcohol to Symphony Under the Stars?
Yes. FAFO says guests may bring their own picnic and beverages, including alcohol. Food trucks also sell food and drinks on site.
Are dogs allowed at Symphony Under the Stars?
No. FAFO’s FAQ says dogs and other pets are not allowed in the event zone, citing the crowds, the fireworks and a City of Ocala ordinance. Service dogs are allowed with proper paperwork presented at the gate.
Where do I park for Symphony Under the Stars?
FAFO sells pre-paid spaces in a lot on NE 2nd Place, which must be bought before the event and sell out. Its FAQ also points guests to parking at the Ocala Library and the areas around the Ocala Golf Club.
Is Symphony Under the Stars the same as Symphony Under the Lights?
No. Symphony Under the Lights is the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s free December concert in Tuscawilla Park, held Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. Symphony Under the Stars is FAFO’s ticketed Mother’s Day concert at the Ocala Golf Club.
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Sources: Fine Arts For Ocala, Symphony Under the Stars (2026 date, schedule, performers, tickets, picnic policy, sponsor); FAFO, Symphony Under the Stars FAQ (parking, pets, accessibility, VIP, chair rentals); FAFO home page (held each Mother's Day; founded 1966); Ocala Golf Club (address); Reilly Arts Center, 23rd Annual Symphony Under the Lights. Checked Oct. 21, 2026. See our editorial guidelines.
Symphony Under the Stars en Ocala: concierto del Día de las Madres
Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) presenta Symphony Under the Stars cada Día de las Madres en el Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. En 2026 el concierto fue el domingo 10 de mayo: las puertas abrieron a las 3 p.m., el entretenimiento en vivo comenzó a las 5 p.m., la Ocala Symphony Orchestra tocó a las 7:15 p.m. y los fuegos artificiales fueron a las 9 p.m., con lluvia o sol. Los asistentes pueden traer su propio picnic y bebidas, incluido alcohol, y los boletos se venden por Zeffy. El Día de las Madres de 2027 es el domingo 9 de mayo; FAFO aún no había publicado los detalles de 2027 al 21 de octubre de 2026. No debe confundirse con Symphony Under the Lights, el concierto gratuito de la orquesta en Tuscawilla Park el viernes 4 de diciembre de 2026 a las 7 p.m.
Ocala Arts, Culture & Live Entertainment
From museums and galleries to live music, concerts, and the symphony — Ocala's cultural scene is rich and growing. Keep exploring local arts.