Event Series Free Fridays Concert Series

Free Fridays Concert Series

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

The region’s longest-running and largest free outdoor concert series features diverse local and regional musical talent at Bo Diddley Plaza. Each Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m., bands bring their original and cover tunes to the plaza concert stage in downtown Gainesville. Make a night of it and grab...

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...

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

Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus 3rd Friday Concert at St. Patrick Catholic Church

St. Patrick Catholic Church 500 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville, United States

You're invited to a special performance by the Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus. Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of harmony and community. Admission is free.

A free will offering will be taken up for the performers of the concert

UpStage at the Phillips Center with Tyreek McDole

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

Tyreek McDole brings his deep, bluesy vocals and a seriously swinging jazz band to UpStage. A Florida native, he has taken the New York and international music scenes by storm, being recognized as only the second male winner of the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. McDole breathes life...

UpStage at the Phillips Center with The Jacob Jolliff Band

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

The Jacob Jolliff Band stands at the forefront of newgrass with their progressive style and eclectic influences. Led by Jacob Jolliff, one of the world’s premier mandolin players, the band combines traditional bluegrass with pop, jazz, and even Celtic influences. Their performances are a journey to amazing harmonic and improvisation...

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

Blues on the Patio with JW Gilmore and Friends

A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center 1013 NW 7th Ave., Gainesville, FL, United States

Experience a master storyteller, a demon on the harp, a well-versed musician and, above all, a showman extraordinaire with JW Gilmore. He has been playing harmonica for over 20 years and keeps audiences laughing, smiling and dancing into the night. JW Gilmore will be joined on the patio by Beulah...

Free

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

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

Violinist Maria Ioudenitch

Squitieri Studio Theatre 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

See this phenomenal young artist before she becomes a household name! Originally from Russia, where she began playing violin at age 3, Maria Ioudenitch pours her heart into every note. Expect comfortable and familiar classics along with exciting, lesser-known compositions. During her visit, Maria will also share her talent with...

Jazz Fusion with Hiromi’s Sonicwonder

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

Catch this high-energy jazz fusion quartet in action! Led by the Grammy®-winning pianist, composer, and synth master, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder mixes polished compositions with spontaneous creativity to keep you on the edge of your seat. With influences ranging from classical progressive rock and a sound that calls to mind the legendary...

UpStage at the Phillips Center with The Arcadian Wild

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

With mesmerizing vocal harmonies and intricate instrumentals, this genre-bending trio from Nashville brings something beautifully crafted and delightfully unexpected. Their music spans Americana, folk, bluegrass, and indie-pop, creating a sound that’s wonderfully hard to categorize. You’ll feel like you‘re part of a close-knit circle, as The Arcadian Wild believes music...

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...

Michael Feinstein in Big Band Broadway

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL, United States

Broadway never sounds better than when it swings with Michael Feinstein as he brings the classic Broadway songbook into the 21st century. The evening features The Carnegie Hall Ensemble and Special Guest Star Bobby Daye with music from quintessential shows such as Cabaret, Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the...

The Gainesville Orchestra Presents “Harvest Gold”

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

Experience an evening with the Gainesville Orchestra and their season opener "Harvest Gold." Enjoy Tchaikovskey's powerful "Fifth," Florence Price and the Halloween-themed "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." The 2025-2026 season celebrates 250 years of cultural tapestry with performances at the Santa Fe College Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall.