There’s plenty happening around Mount Dora this weekend — from an ’80s rock concert and a downtown anniversary party to live music all over town, a community pollinator count, wellness experiences and a Sunday morning market.

Here’s your local guide to Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21

Dokken Takes Over the Mount Dora Music Hall

Friday night starts loud. ’80s hard-rock band Dokken comes to the Mount Dora Music Hall at the Community Building with special guest Hairborn, bringing a catalog that includes “Alone Again,” “In My Dreams,” “Breaking the Chains” and more.

Friday, August 21 | Doors at 7 PM | Mount Dora Music Hall, 520 N. Baker Street

Plenty of Live Music Around Town

You don’t need a concert ticket to find music Friday night.

Whiskey Kitchen has Autumn Gold from 6–9 PM, while Pisces Rising has live music on its Lake Dora deck from 7–10 PM, weather permitting.

The Yardery also features live music every Friday and Saturday night at its downtown Mount Dora location, where the music, outdoor yard and rooftop bar make it an easy weekend stop.

Over at Lakeside Inn, live piano returns to Tremain’s Tavern, while Eden Abbey Brewing Community also has live music Friday night in its taproom.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

Help Count Mount Dora’s Pollinators

Here’s one you probably don’t do every Saturday.

The Great Florida Pollinator Census comes to the Nunan Butterfly Garden at W.T. Bland Public Library from 10 AM–noon. Participants spend just 15 minutes completing an official count while members of the Lakes & Hills Garden Club show you what to look for.

It’s open to all ages, free, requires no registration and includes refreshments and free stickers for kids.

Explore The Holistic Spot

The Holistic Spot is opening its doors for a full-day Healing Arts Experience from 10 AM–4 PM at 1111 N. Donnelly Street.

Admission is free, with 15-minute donation-based mini sessions and demonstrations throughout the day. The lineup includes sound baths, craniosacral therapy, guided meditation, nutritional consultations, music therapy, Human Design and other wellness practices.

Maw’s Mountain Moonshine Turns Four

One of Alexander Street’s most recognizable stops is celebrating a milestone Saturday.

Maw’s Mountain Moonshine is turning four, with an anniversary celebration featuring BOGO moonshine tastings, anniversary drink specials, face painting and live music.

The music starts with Jensey from 3–6 PM, followed by The Freightliners from 6–10 PM.

Whether you’ve been visiting Maw’s since the beginning or have somehow never stepped inside, four years downtown seems like a pretty good excuse.

An Afternoon About the Art of Listening

W.T. Bland Public Library is also hosting The Art of Listening from 3–4 PM, a free interactive workshop exploring how curiosity, presence and meaningful questions can strengthen our connections with other people.

Participants will also receive a complimentary copy of 5 Questions – We All Have a Story. No registration is required.

Saturday’s Live Music Lineup

If Saturday is more about finding a patio, ordering something cold and staying awhile, there are plenty of options.

At Whiskey Kitchen, Brianna Langford plays the early show from noon–3 PM, followed by Denny Buckler later that evening.

Pisces Rising has waterfront music from 7–10 PM, weather permitting, while The Yardery continues its Friday-and-Saturday live music schedule downtown.

Eden Abbey has live music Saturday as well, and Tremain’s Tavern at Lakeside Inn offers another night of live piano.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23

Start at the Mount Dora Village Market

Sunday mornings mean the Mount Dora Village Market at Sunset Park.

The weekly outdoor market runs from 9 AM–2 PM with more than 70 vendors offering local produce, artisan foods, fresh-cut flowers, crafts and more along the lakefront.

Learn About an Important Piece of Mount Dora History

At 2 PM, W.T. Bland Public Library turns the focus to local history with Florida Rosenwald Schools & Mount Dora.

Stetson University historian Sidney Johnston will explore the Rosenwald Schools movement, which helped educate Black children throughout the segregated South, and its connection to Mount Dora.

The program runs 2–3 PM, is free to attend and is sponsored by the Mount Dora Historical Society.

Sunday Music: Take Your Pick

Whiskey Kitchen keeps the weekend going with John Carter from noon–3 PM and Tyler Goodson from 4–7 PM.

Pisces Rising has its Sunday waterfront session from noon–3 PM, weather permitting.

And Eden Abbey has two Sunday music sessions — 12:30–2:30 PM during brunch and another from 5–7:30 PM.

So…What Are You Doing This Weekend?

Rock show? Moonshine anniversary? Counting butterflies and bees? Live music by the lake? A little local history?

You could fill the entire weekend without leaving Mount Dora.

And that’s exactly the point of The Local Side of Mount Dora — sometimes the best excuse to get out of the house is finding out just how much is happening right here at home.