The Weekend Lineup: March 27–29
88° Friday, 84° Saturday, 76° Sunday. A rare near-perfect trifecta — Friday is pure sunshine, Saturday stays warm with a breeze picking up in the afternoon, and Sunday cools off to the mid-70s under partly sunny skies. Saturday’s gusts could hit 30 mph by evening, so plan accordingly for anything involving tents or tablecloths. No rain in the forecast all weekend.
Pig on the Pond Opens — Clermont
The 27th annual festival kicks off at Clermont Waterfront Park and runs through Sunday. BBQ, carnival rides, live entertainment, kids zone, and fireworks Saturday night. New this year: a sensory-friendly “Lily Pad Hour” on Sunday at 10 AM with reduced lights and sound. Proceeds fund Project Scholars local scholarships. Free admission. Expect 20,000+ people over the weekend.
45th Annual Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival — Tavares
Over 100 antique and classic boats on display in the water at Wooten Waterfront Park — the largest event of its kind on the East Coast. Large dock walkways let you get up close. If you’ve never been, this is the year. It’s a uniquely Florida event in one of Lake County’s most charming waterfront towns.
Polo Match at The Villages Polo Club — The Villages
Spring season polo runs Fridays at 3 PM. A surprisingly accessible way to spend an afternoon — bring a blanket, a cooler, and enjoy the spectacle. It’s one of The Villages’ best-kept-secret outings.
The Bronx Wanderers — The Villages
A father, his son, and three high school classmates putting on a high-energy show at The Sharon Performing Arts Center with shows at 3 PM and 7 PM. Classic rock, doo-wop, and nostalgia done right.
An Evening with Tuba Skinny — The Villages
New Orleans street jazz at The Tracy Performing Arts Center at 5 PM. Tuba Skinny has toured the world and released twelve albums. If you love traditional jazz, this is a don’t-miss.
Dueling Pianos — Ocala
Reilly Arts Center hosts the monthly Dueling Pianos night at 6 PM. Two pianists, your song requests, and a lot of laughs. Reliably one of the best nights out in Ocala.
Wildwood Flashlight Adult Egg Hunt — Wildwood
Adults 21+ only. The Wildwood Community Center hosts this after-dark egg hunt from 8 to 10 PM. Tickets $15 each. This is as fun as it sounds.
Ocala Skate Park Grand Opening with Rodney Mullen — Ocala
This is the headliner of the weekend. Rodney Mullen — the guy who invented the flatground ollie, the kickflip, and the heelflip — will be at the grand opening of Ocala’s expanded skate park at 517 NE 9th St. from 11 AM to 4 PM. Live music, food trucks, trick competitions, and a meet-and-greet with a genuine skateboarding legend. Free. That evening at 6 PM, the Reilly Arts Center screens Bones Brigade: An Autobiography with a Mullen Q&A. This is a nationally significant appearance — plan to be there.
Marion County Day — Ocala
Celebrate everything Marion County at the McPherson Complex starting at 10 AM. Live music with The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band, community booths, food, and family activities. Free admission.
Japan Festival — Eustis
A new cultural event celebrating Japanese heritage with live performances, cultural exhibitions, art workshops, and food. Runs 10 AM to 6 PM in downtown Eustis. If you’re looking for something different this weekend, this is it.
Spring Plant Sale at Discovery Gardens — Tavares
UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers sell Florida-friendly plants they’ve propagated — herbs, perennials, shade-tolerant varieties, and native shrubs. Starts at 8 AM at Discovery Gardens. Knowledgeable volunteers on hand to answer all your gardening questions.
Wildwood Flashlight Adult Egg Hunt — Wildwood
Adults 21+ only. The Wildwood Community Center hosts this after-dark egg hunt from 8 to 10 PM. Tickets $15 each. This is as fun as it sounds.
Campfire Dutch Oven Cooking — Bushnell
Learn Dutch oven techniques and make several cast-iron dishes at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park starting at 9 AM. A hands-on class in a beautiful historic setting — the kind of thing you never knew you wanted to do until you did it.
Jazz at Lincoln Center: Great American Crooners — The Villages
The Sharon Performing Arts Center presents this tribute to Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Darin at 7 PM. Quintessential crooner music performed at a world-class level.
Almost Carpenters + Linda Ronstadt Tribute — Mount Dora
Mount Dora Music Hall hosts this double tribute concert at 7:30 PM. Two iconic acts, one evening.
Farmers Markets
It’s market day across the region:
- Ocala Downtown Market at the Pavilion, 9 AM
- Circle Square Commons Farmers Market in Ocala, 9 AM — named one of the best in the country by Livability.com
- Brownwood Farmers Market in The Villages, 9 AM — 70+ vendors
- Brooksville Farmers Market in downtown Brooksville, 9 AM
- Renninger’s Flea & Farmers Market in Mount Dora — one of the largest on the East Coast
- Market of Marion in Belleview — 1,000+ booths
- Sumter County Farmers Market in Bushnell
AdventHealth Silver Springs Half Marathon, 10K & 5K — Ocala
Trail races through Silver Springs State Park. Half marathon at 7:30 AM, 10K at 7:35, 5K at 7:40. Beautiful course along the Silver River. Even if you’re not running, it’s worth coming out to cheer.
The Marshall Tucker Band — The Villages
Southern rock legends at The Tracy Performing Arts Center at 5 PM. “Can’t You See” and “Heard It in a Love Song” live — that’s a Sunday well spent.
Blank Space: Taylor Swift Tribute — The Villages
From country ballads to pop anthems, this tribute covers the full Taylor catalog at The Sharon Performing Arts Center at 5 PM. If you’ve got Swifties in your life, this is your move.
The Jersey Tenors — Ocala
Reilly Arts Center at 3 PM. A fun, high-energy vocal show.
Tracy Byrd at the Orange Blossom Opry — The Villages
Country star Tracy Byrd (“Watermelon Crawl,” “Ten Rounds with José Cuervo”) performs at 2:30 PM and again at 7 PM.
Sidewalk Prophets — Leesburg
An intimate acoustic concert at Leesburg High School Auditorium at 7 PM. One night only.
Pig on the Pond Final Day — Clermont
Last chance for BBQ and festival fun at Clermont Waterfront Park. Don’t miss the sensory-friendly Lily Pad Hour at 10 AM — reduced lights and sound for those who need a calmer experience.
Dancing the Decades — Crystal River
Annual dance party fundraiser at Family and Friends Reaching for Abilities featuring live band Hwy 94. Dress in your favorite ’60s/’70s/’80s outfit. Benefits developmental disability programs. 10 AM.
Weather
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 88°F | 84°F | 76°F |
| Low | 61°F | 61°F | 59°F |
| Conditions | Sunny | Mostly sunny | Partly sunny |
| Wind | S 0-5 mph | NNW 0-15 mph, gusts to 30 | ENE 10-15 mph, gusts to 30 |
| UV | High (8) | High (7) | Moderate (5) |
| Rain | None expected | None expected | None expected |
Got a tip or event we missed? Email [email protected]