The headline this weekend is a $150,000 show-jumping Grand Prix, and it's free. The UF Health Grand Prix brings world-class riders to the World Equestrian Center Saturday night with no admission charge, the Friday Foodie Fest takes over downtown Eustis, Matilda the Musical Jr. plays the Ocala Civic all weekend, and Chi-Town Transit Authority brings Chicago's horns to the Reilly on Saturday. Just know it's a hot one -- mid-90s all weekend with the usual afternoon storm chances, so hit the outdoor stuff early or in the evening and keep water on you. Here's the weekend.
Thursday
Steve-O: Crash & Burn -- Reilly Arts Center, 6 PM
The Jackass star brings his live storytelling-and-stunts show to the Reilly in Ocala. Wild, raunchy, and definitely not for the kids -- but if you grew up on the mayhem, this is your Thursday.
Friday
Friday Foodie Fest -- Lake Lillian, Eustis, 5 PM
Downtown Eustis throws its third-Friday street party on the lakefront -- a long line of food trucks, live music, and the easy summer-evening crowd. Come hungry, bring the family, and make an evening of it by the water.
Matilda the Musical Jr. -- Ocala Civic Theatre
Roald Dahl's story of the brilliant, defiant little girl gets the full young-cast musical treatment at the Ocala Civic all weekend, including a Saturday matinee. A genuinely delightful all-ages night out.
Saturday
$150,000 UF Health Grand Prix -- World Equestrian Center, 7:30 PM, free
The Saturday-night showpiece: world-class riders jumping for a $150,000 purse in the WEC Grand Arena, and admission and parking are free. Even if you've never watched show jumping, the spectacle -- the horses, the lights, the crowd on its feet -- is worth the drive to Ocala.
Chi-Town Transit Authority -- Reilly Arts Center, 7:30 PM
The full brass-and-horns tribute to Chicago -- "25 or 6 to 4," "Saturday in the Park," the whole catalog -- at the Reilly in Ocala. If you know every word, this is your Saturday night.
Sunday
Mount Dora Village Market -- Sunset Park, Mount Dora, 9 AM, free
Wind the weekend down at the Sunday market in Sunset Park -- local makers, produce, and coffee under the oaks. The mellow, easygoing close to a Central Florida weekend.
The Full Lineup
Find everything happening this weekend at the Villa + Cala events page.
Got a tip or an event we should know about? Email [email protected]