OCALA, FL (352today.com) – First Friday Art Walk is a monthly event held in Historic Downtown Ocala where local artisans and organizations can display their crafts and artwork for sale or perform dances, demonstrations and music. Vendors line the streets of Downtown Ocala where guests can browse the area and check out unique items. The event is free to attend, pet-friendly and features plenty of festivities while showcasing local artistry.
Despite its name and usual schedule, the first Art Walk of 2026 was held on Friday, Jan. 9 from 6-9 p.m.–the second Friday of the new year. This change allowed guests and artists alike a chance to celebrate the new year before jumping into the 2026 series of art walks. Organizations and businesses had booths surrounding the Historic Downtown Ocala Gazebo including the Salvation Army, Appleton Museum of Art, City of Ocala and Friends of the Public Library. Local artisans lined the sidewalks around the downtown gazebo along S. Magnolia Ave., SE 1st Ave. and SE Broadway St. with more vendors branching out to the sidewalk along E. Fort King St. between SE 1st Ave. and SE Osceola Ave.
Throughout the evening, guests could walk around town to view a variety of unique art displays with items for purchase. To go along with the displays, the evening was filled with live performances such as music, dancing, magic and light-up baton twirling. Family art activities provided by local arts organizations were scattered through the area for active engagement with paper alligators and otters provided by the University of Florida and cardboard candles made from toilet paper rolls provided by the Appleton Museum of Art.
Restaurants and shops were open during the event, with varying hours so guests could shop, enjoy local art and dine in the same place for an evening of continued fun. Multiple restaurants had full houses with wait times up to 25 minutes and local shops such as Grandpa Joe’s saw many people going in and out.
The remaining art walks of the year will be March 6, April 3 and May 1 from 6-9 p.m., ending the 2025-2026 season as the heat of summer sets in for a four-month break before the next season. Free public parking is available in the downtown parking garage, Parking Lot 1, along with free street parking after 6 p.m. throughout the area. To check out the event maps and learn more about the event, check out the City of Ocala’s information page here or contact the City of Ocala’s Cultural Division at 352-629-8447.
