Jimmy Buffet Fest – The Labor Day Weekend Show at Heartwood Soundstage

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Celebrate the legacy of Jimmy Buffett with Parrotheads, Fruitcakes and lovers of great music and good vibes. The inaugural Jimmy Buffett Fest - The Labor Day Weekend Show, is a heartfelt tribute concert honoring the life, music and legacy of the legendary Jimmy Buffett. Local artists perform tropical favorites and...

SlidingScale

Science Surprises: Make a Pooter at the Alachua County Library District Millhopper Branch

Millhopper Library Branch 3145 NW 43 St, Gainesville, FL, United States

Step into the shoes of a scientist and make your own research tools at the library! Out in the field, researchers use special tools to explore the natural world. Learn how to make and use these neat tools yourself. This four-part series consists of four free, 45-minute learning sessions, perfect...

Rock with Big Sky at Heartwood Soundstage

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Party like it's the 1990s with rock band Big Sky at Heartwood Soundstage. Big Sky burst out of Gainesville’s college scene in the early ’90s with a rare commitment to all-original music, skipping the usual cover band route and diving straight into high-energy live shows. They quickly built a devoted...

$15

Jazz with the Lao Tizer Band

Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Experience a genre-blending night of music with the Lao Tizer Band in support of their new album "Amplify." The all-star group features “Best New Jazz Artist" nominee Lao Tizer on piano, American Idol star Elliott Yamin on vocals, Danny Janklow on sax and flute, Cheik N’Doye on bass and Grammy...

Opening Weekend of Thrilling Stage Drama “On Clover Road”

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre 3501 SW 2nd Ave., Ste. O, Gainesville, FL, United States

Find out what happens when a desperate mother tries to reunite with her runaway daughter at the "On Clover Road." At an abandoned motel on a desolate American road, a mother meets with a cult deprogrammer, believing she will be reunited with her daughter. What happens instead - in this...

Perspectives in the Parks: Reclaiming Sacred Ground

Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park 1500 NW 45th Ave., Gainesville, FL, United States

This presentation by Nigel Rudolph explores how restoring historic African American cemeteries in Florida reclaims sacred landscapes that have been neglected or abandoned, returning dignity to those who came before us. This vital work recovers invaluable genealogical records, cultural traditions, and community stories essential to understanding Florida's complete history. Join...

Free

Brazil Fest Gainesville 2025

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Celebrate the rhythms, flavors and Brazilian culture at the family-friendly Brazil Fest. Enjoy live outdoor music and dance, a kids’ movie, artisan markets, Brazilian cuisine and cultural exhibits. Upgrade to a VIP ticket for an exclusive indoor performances. Featuring artists like Floresamba, Tenison Delrey, Marcio Mello, Maca Reggae Samba and more,...

North Central Blues Society 2025 Showcase

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Experience four of North Florida’s finest traditional blues performers, co-headlining the 2025 Gainesville Blues Showcase. The North Central Florida Blues Society is excited to host Little Mike & the Tornadoes, Dr Jules’ Cool Blues, JC & the Backscratchers and Sheba the Mississippi Queen & the Bluesmen.  

$25 – $30

Opening Weekend of the Tony Award-Winning Musical “RENT,” September 19-21

Gainesville Community Playhouse 4039 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, United States

Be transported to New York's bohemian East Village during the 1990s for a powerful and poignant stage production of "RENT. Follow a group of friends and artists as they navigate the challenges of love, loss and survival amidst the AIDS epidemic. "RENT" celebrates life, love, and the resilience of the...

$15 – $25

Final Weekend of “On Clover Road” at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre 3501 SW 2nd Ave., Ste. O, Gainesville, FL, United States

At an abandoned motel on a desolate American road, a mother meets with a cult deprogrammer, believing she will be reunited with her runaway daughter. What happens instead – in this smart, harrowing, edge-of-your-seat thriller – is something that will shock her to her core. What will a mother do...

Florida Bridal Expo

Best Western Gateway Grand 4200 NW 97th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, United States

Plan your entire wedding in one day, all in one place, while meeting top wedding professionals ready to help make your big day unforgettable. You can even book your favorite wedding professional at the show. The first 30 brides through the doors will receive a three-day, two-night hotel stay in...

$10.00 – $20.00

Folk and Indie Pop with The Currys and Singer-Songwriter Chelsea Saddler

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Enjoy an evening of modern folk and indie pop with The Currys, known for their sharp storytelling, rich vocals and signature three-part harmonies. Their latest sound adds a guitar-driven edge while keeping the warmth fans love. St. Augustine singer-songwriter Chelsea Saddler opens the show with a soulful, roots-infused style.

$25 – $30

Alt-Rock with Parrotfish, Madwoman and Dogs Can Wear Hats at The Wooly

The Wooly 20 N Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Come see Parrotfish, Madwoman, and Visit Neptune at The Wooly on September 28th. Parrotfish will be playing "The Implication," "Miami," and all of their other favorites and latest music. Tickets are now on sale, join the party! 🎉

$12

Southern Rock with JJ Grey and Mofro

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Experience a powerful voice with a blend of southern soul, rock and blues at Heartwood Soundstage. JJ Grey and Mofro are known for gritty vocals and deeply personal songwriting. Themes of redemption, rebirth and good times are on display. Many songs are steeped in the mythical Southern stories of his...

Wheatus (acoustic) at Heartwood Soundstage

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Blend pop, rock and clever lyrics with a special acoustic set by Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown. Wheatus burst onto the scene in 2000 with their hit "Teenage Dirtbag," which topped charts in Australia and reached the top 10 in the UK and Germany. Opening the night is Gabrielle Sterbenz,...

$25 – $37

Timucua Language and Culture: Understanding Alachua County’s Native Heritage at the Matheson History Museum

Matheson History Museum 513 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL, United States

Who were the Native people of Alachua County? The correct answer depends on the time period, but when the Spanish arrived, the Timucua people were the residents of this region. Due to recent progress in reading and understanding the Timucua language, Native documents can now be read from the colonial...

Free

Singer-Songwriter Paul Thorn with Kristopher James at Heartwood Soundstage

Heartwood Soundstage 619 Main St., Gainesville, FL, United States

Catch night of songs and stories with Paul Thorn with Kristopher James inside the listening room at Heartwood. American Blues Scene writer Don Wilcock calls Thorn “an everyman (who) addresses things we all think about, but few can articulate with the kind of candor, humor and folksy truth that immediately...

$30

Perspectives in the Park – Keep on Burnin’: The History of Wildland Fire in Florida at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Center

Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park 1500 NW 45th Ave., Gainesville, FL, United States

Fire has shaped the landscapes of Florida for thousands of years! Indigenous peoples skillfully used fire for many reasons long before European settlers arrived and adopted the practice. In the 20th century, however, the U.S. government promoted fire suppression, turning once-open forests into overgrown tinderboxes. Thankfully, science brought fire back...

Free

The Great Pumpkin Bash at Bo Diddley Plaza (2025)

Bo Diddley Plaza 111 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL, United States

Celebrate the arrival of fall right in the heart of downtown Gainesville! The City of Gainesville is thrilled to invite you to the inaugural Great Pumpkin Bash at Bo Diddley Plaza. Enjoy a variety of festive activities including a corn maze, games, pumpkin patch, delicious food, face painting, a themed...

Free

FEST 23

Downtown Gainesville 111 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL, United States

Party with thousands of music fans for a weekend of live music featuring hundreds of bands. Multiple venues transform downtown Gainesville for three days as the annual independent music festival with a lineup of over 350 bands, comedians and professional wrestlers. Headliners in 2025 include The Get Up Kids, Dillinger...