Events
Nov 01
Wetland Excursion – Wolf Branch Sink
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wolf Branch Sink Preserve in Mount Dora
Join us for a fast paced, guided hike at Wolf Branch Sink Preserve to explore the diverse ecosystems within the Preserve, including the plants and animals.
Nov 01
Burn in the Burg Chili Cook-Off
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Town Square Downtown Leesburg in Leesburg
Join us for our Burn in the Burg Chili Cook Off at Town Square in Downtown Leesburg! Live Music by Soundforge All you can eat Chili samples
Nov 01
Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire
10:00 AM – 5:00 AM Open-air Property in Tavares in Tavares
The 24th anniversary of the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire features dozens of vendors and merchants in addition to more than 100 performers
Nov 02
Exploration Hike
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM P.E.A.R. Park (Gateway) in Leesburg
Join staff on an early evening walk while exploring nature at P.E.A.R. Park. Hike Intensity: Light. Reservations required. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. – The Reilly Arts Center welcomes a variety of national and local artists for performances of rock, blues, jazz, classical and more this holiday season. Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the Reilly Arts Center located at 500 NE 9th St. Ocala, FL 34470. Tickets can be purchased at reillyartscenter.com or by contacting the Reilly Arts Center box office at (352) 351-1606. Box office hours are 10 AM – 2 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Reilly Arts Center during box office hours.
Phantasmagoria XVI: Hauntingly Whimsical Tales
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 7 PM | in the NOMA Black Box
Tickets: $25
Join Phantasmagoria as they celebrate Edward Gorey’s 100th Birthday Year with a hauntingly whimsical journey through his most iconic tales. Featuring storytelling, dance, puppetry, music, and more, this Halloween season production brings Gorey’s eerie yet enchanting worlds to life on stage.
CMC Fall Recital
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 4 PM | AdventHealth Mainstage
Tickets: GA: $5 | 10 & Under: Free
Cheer on CMC students as they showcase their semester’s skills and talents in an engaging recital! This showcase will feature instrumental soloists and group class performances, with ticket proceeds supporting the CMC scholarship and programming fund.
Reilly Noir Series: Nesto’s Jazz Quartet
Friday, November 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM | in the NOMA Black Box
Tickets from $28
Experience the vibrant sounds of Nesto’s Jazz, led by bassist and bandleader David Ernesto Vanegas, blending North and South American rhythms with modern jazz. From hard bop to bossa nova, this ensemble delivers an unforgettable fusion of world grooves and timeless jazz traditions. Continue reading
Field trips to Discovery Center are a great way to enhance classroom lessons! We offer field trips for schools, home school groups, day care centers and summer camps.
The Discovery Center hosts field trips Tuesdays through Fridays, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The average field trip runs about two hours. All field trips include 45 minutes of free play in the current exhibit with the option to one of our add-on programs. Each program is approximately 45 minutes long. Students are put into a group rotation between the exhibit hall and classroom programs.
Group capacity is 90 people per day. Groups over 90 people will be booked for two or more days. Large groups will be booked for the closest consecutive days available at time of booking.
The Discovery Center serves over 35 schools and organizations in Marion County by providing engaging, hands-on science programming correlated to Florida State Standards. Continue reading
Oct 02
Pet Blessing at First Presbyterian
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM First Presbyterian Church Mount Dora in Mount Dora
Pet Blessing at First Presbyterian Mount Dora. Bring your beloved furry, feathered & scaly friends to receive a special blessing for their health and happiness
Oct 02
Paws for Children Pet Blessing at First Presbyterian Preschool
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM First Presbyterian Church Mount Dora in Mount Dora
A special Paws for Children Pet Blessing at 11:30 in front of the First Presbyterian Preschool on MacDonald street side of the building is for children …
Oct 03
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Clermont10/312/5
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hike intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Oct 03
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Montverde
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hiking Intensity: Vigorous.
Oct 04
Big Sit
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM McDonald Canal Boat Ramp in Mount Dora
A “Big Sit” is a semi-competitive birding event where participants count all the birds they can see or hear within a 17-foot circle.
Oct 04
Bat Party with S’mores
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Flat Island Preserve in Leesburg
Celebrate the spooky season with us at Flat Island preserve for our Bat Party. Join staff to learn about bats. Take a short hike and finish with s’mores…
Oct 04
Fall in the Field
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Renningers Antique Center in Mount Dora10/410/5
Antique Center, Consignment, Street of Shops, The Stables, Pavilions, and Outdoors. Fall is here! Come shop a selection of vendors featuring items for t…
Oct 05
Exploration Hike
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM P.E.A.R. Park (Gateway) in Leesburg10/511/212/7
Join staff on an early evening walk while exploring nature at P.E.A.R. Park. Hike Intensity: Light. Reservations required.
Oct 05
World Communion Sunday
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM First Presbyterian Church Mount Dora in Mount Dora
World Communion Sunday at First at Presbyterian promotes Christian unity and celebrates the worldwide connection with all brothers and sisters in Christ…
Oct 05
World Communion Sunday (11am Service)
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM First Presbyterian Church Mount Dora in Mount Dora
First Presbyterian Mount Dora celebrates World Communion at a 9:00 casual café-style service and at 11:00 traditional service. The world communion servi…
Sept 04
Lake County Ladies Chorus
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM GraceWay Church in Leesburg
The Lake County Ladies Chorus welcomes new members. We meet at GraceWay Church which is on the corner of Radio Road and Morningside Drive in Leesburg. We practice on Thursdays with Christmas and Spring performances. Contact Bev at 352-459-1816.
Sep 05
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Clermont
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hike intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Sep 06
Wetland Excursion
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sawgrass Preserve in Umatilla
Join us for a fast paced, guided hike at Sawgrass Preserve to explore the diverse ecosystems within the Preserve, including the plants and animals that call Sawgrass Preserve Home. Hike Intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Based on the popular PBS KIDS® TV Series.
Sept. 13 – Jan. 3
Come on, vente! Explore Alma’s neighborhood in the Bronx as you practice critical thinking skills and celebrate
vibrant Puerto Rican culture in this new exhibit. Be transported to Alma’s colorful neighborhood to explore a
bustling Bodega, a local community center with Bomba instruments and dance, Alma’s father’s Pet Clinic, a 6 Subway train and Park as well as Alma’s family Duplex where her Puerto Rican extended family lives and plays.
Alma loves solving problems and finding solutions, and young visitors will too!
Aug 01
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Clermont8/19/510/312/5
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hike intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Aug 01
First Friday
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Downtown Eustis in Eustis
Join us for our Eustis First Friday Street Party from 6 – 9 p.m.! Our family-friendly monthly street parties host a wide variety of food, vendors an…
Aug 02
Wetland Excursion – Lake Norris
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lake Norris Conservation Area in Eustis
Join us for a fast paced guided hike to explore diverse ecosystems. Hike Intensity: Vigorous. Reservations Required.
Aug 03
Exploration Hike
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM P.E.A.R. Park (Gateway) in Leesburg8/39/710/511/2 Plus More
Join staff on an early evening walk while exploring nature at P.E.A.R. Park. Hike Intensity: Light. Reservations required.
Ends Aug. 30
Every bug – and every person – has unique abilities and traits that make them super. Bug Squad will create excitement about learning by immersing children in an exhibit inspired by fictitious superheroes and factual science. In this imaginative world, insects don’t just have super abilities, they are real superheroes! Kids will be introduced to a squad of uniquely characterized bugs that are designed to inspire a love for science and an appreciation for diversity.
Bug Squad was produced by Omaha Children’s Museum. Omaha Children’s Museum is a special place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play. The mission of Omaha Children’s Museum is to engage the imagination and create excitement about learning.
Jul 04
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Clermont7/48/19/510/3 Plus More
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hike intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Jul 04
Star Spangled Spectacular
Star Spangled Spectacular 2025 ????
???? Friday, July 4th
???? Ski Beach Park – 201 Dixie Ave, Leesburg, FL 34748
???? Festivities kick off at 4 PM
???? Fireworks light up the sky at 9 PM
???? FREE & open to the public!\
Get ready for a red, white, and BOOM celebration at Leesburg’s biggest Independence Day party! Join us at scenic Ski Beach Park for an unforgettable evening featuring:
???? Live music by the high-energy party band, Groove Slayers
???? Delicious food trucks
????️ Merchandise vendors
FREE Carnival Rides
???? Family fun and patriotic vibes all evening long
???? A breathtaking fireworks finale over Lake Harris at 9 PM
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and stars-and-stripes spirit—this is a celebration you don’t want to miss!
???? Want to be a sponsor or merchandise vendor?
Email specialevents@leesburgflorida.gov to get involved.
Let freedom ring—Leesburg style!
