Events in Gainesville & Alachua County
| If spring had a social calendar, it would look a lot like this week across Alachua County with What’s Good®. The weekend begins the GCM Spring Food Fest, where local chefs and restaurants gather for an evening of tastings and live music. The BARD & Broadside Poetry Festival continues this week with poetry readings woven into the Free Fridays Concert Series and the high-energy Swamp-Berry Jam Poetry Slam. In High Springs, the Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout turns the landscape itself into the studio. Plus, meet animals, explore interactive exhibits, and learn about conservation with Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo’s Party for the Planet. |
Search listings below for more of What’s Good®.
Events & Festivals
May 8
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 9
BBQ and Jazz Festival Community Celebration
The Oaks Mall
May 9
Archer Cultural Arts Festival
Wilson Robinson Park
May 15
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 15
Country Star Morgan Wallen: Still the Problem Tour
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Music & Performance
May 8
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 8
Live Music Night Weeds of Eden Featuring “Ain’t Sisters”
Depot Village
May 8
May 8
The Gainesville Orchestra Season Finale Concert: The Boy Band Project- Strings Attached
Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Arts & Theater
May 13
Theatre Performance “Treasure Island” Radio Play
Matheson History Museum
May 13
“Million Dollar Quartet” at the Hippodrome Theatre, April 29 – May 24
Hippodrome Theatre
May 15
Gypsy: A Musical Fable at Star Center Theatre
Star Center Theatre
May 15
“for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
May 16
“for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Seasonal
May 9
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
May 9
Mother’s Day Garden Tour and Brunch Experience
Gainesville Garden Club
May 9
Mother’s Day Thrift Crawl
Decades on Main
May 9
Kendra Scott Gives Back Shopping Event
Kendra Scott at Butler Town Center
May 9
Archer Cultural Arts Festival
Wilson Robinson Park
Craft Breweries
May 9
First Magnitude Brewing Company – Floridiana Festival
First Magnitude Brewing Company
May 9
Swamp Head Brewery – Spring Marketplace
Swamp Head Brewery
May 10
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar – Mother’s Day Greek Menu and Wine Pairing
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
May 10
Blackadder Brewing Company – Bubbles Brunch and Mom Event Celebrates Mother’s Day
Blackadder Brewing Company
May 11
Swamp Head Brewery – Trivia Night at Swamp Head Brewery
Swamp Head Brewery
Pop-Up Markets
May 8
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 9
Mother’s Day Thrift Crawl
Decades on Main
May 9
First Magnitude Brewing Company – Floridiana Festival
First Magnitude Brewing Company
May 9
Swamp Head Brewery – Spring Marketplace
Swamp Head Brewery
May 9
Kendra Scott Gives Back Shopping Event
Kendra Scott at Butler Town Center
Museum & Galleries
May 7
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
May 9
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
May 10
Mother’s Day Muffins and Mimosas at Artisans’ Guild Gallery
Artisans’ Guild Gallery
May 14
Art After Dark Museum Nights aMAYzing pARTy
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
May 16
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
Outdoors
May 8
Walk and Talk Entrepreneurs Gainesville
Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
May 8
Greater Gainesville Pickleball Open 2026, May 8-10
Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
May 9
Mother’s Day Garden Tour and Brunch Experience
Gainesville Garden Club
May 9
Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
May 9
Sweetwater Creek Cleanup Community Event
Sweetwater Preserve
Sports & Fans
May 8
Greater Gainesville Pickleball Open 2026, May 8-10
Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
May 8
Florida Gators Baseball vs. Kentucky
Condron Family Ballpark
May 9
Gator Super National Qualifier
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
May 10
Florida Gators Baseball vs. Kentucky
Condron Family Ballpark
May 12
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active, May 5-27, 2026
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Farmers Markets
May 8
High Springs Farmers Market
High Springs Farmer’s Market
May 9
Alachua County Farmers Market
Alachua County Farmers Market
May 9
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
May 9
Saturday Farmers Market at Sweet Roots Organic
Sweet Roots Organic Farm and Nursery
Workshops & Educational
May 7
Oprah’s Book Club: “John of John” Scottish Author Douglas Stuart Live
Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
May 8
Walk and Talk Entrepreneurs Gainesville
Devils Millhopper Geological State Park
May 9
Cooking Up Health Mediterranean Gainesville Workshop
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
May 9
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
May 12
Gardening for Pollinators Workshop Promotes Bee and Butterfly Habitatsening for Pollinators
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
Bites & Brunch
May 9
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Supports Local Services
High Springs Women’s Club
May 9
Cooking Up Health Mediterranean Gainesville Workshop
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
May 10
Mother’s Day Brunch Farm Experience
Frog Song Organics
May 10
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar – Mother’s Day Greek Menu and Wine Pairing
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
May 10
Blackadder Brewing Company – Bubbles Brunch and Mom Event Celebrates Mother’s Day
Blackadder Brewing Company
Looking for the best events in Gainesville and Alachua County? Welcome to What’s Good, your go-to guide for discovering things to do throughout the week and beyond. From live performances and sporting events to festivals and family-friendly activities, there is always something happening across North Central Florida.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, looking for things to do tonight, or exploring local culture, What’s Good highlights the top experiences that make Gainesville and Alachua County a vibrant destination year-round.
Things to Do in Gainesville This Week
Step into What’s Good with a fast-paced lineup of high-energy performances, competitive sporting events, and can’t-miss entertainment. Experience suspense and sharp humor with Accomplice, a twist-filled theatrical production at the Hippodrome Theatre that keeps audiences guessing from curtain to call.
Sports fans can cheer on top athletes at the NAIA National Championships hosted at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center, where elite competitors showcase skill, determination, and championship-level performance. Nearby at Celebration Pointe, the USA Track & Field Race Walk Championships brings endurance and speed to the spotlight in a unique and exciting competition.
For motorsports enthusiasts, the legendary NHRA Gatornationals returns to Gainesville Raceway, launching the drag racing season with four days of high-speed action and adrenaline-pumping excitement.
Families can enjoy the Alachua County Youth Fair, a beloved local tradition filled with rides, games, food vendors, and entertainment for all ages.
Explore More Events and Activities
Beyond these featured events, Gainesville and Alachua County offer a wide variety of activities for visitors and locals alike. Discover live music performances, art exhibits, farmers’ markets, food festivals, and outdoor adventures happening throughout the area. Whether you’re interested in cultural experiences, sporting events, or relaxing outdoor activities, there’s always something new to explore.

The region is also known for its vibrant arts scene, with performances, galleries, and community events taking place year-round. Visitors can enjoy everything from theater productions and live concerts to local art walks and pop-up events in downtown Gainesville.
For a full calendar of events and updated listings, explore the official Visit Gainesville events page:
https://www.visitgainesville.com/events/
Plan Your Visit to Gainesville and Alachua County
Conveniently located in North Central Florida, Gainesville is home to a dynamic mix of culture, sports, and outdoor recreation. Visitors can explore nearby parks, природ springs, and scenic trails before heading to an event in the evening. The combination of natural beauty and lively entertainment makes this area a top destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and excitement.
Whether you’re attending a major sporting event, enjoying a live performance, or discovering a local festival, What’s Good helps you stay connected to the best happenings in the region.
Stay Connected with What’s Good
Check back regularly to see what’s happening next and discover new events in Gainesville and Alachua County. With something always on the calendar, it’s easy to find your next experience and make the most of your time in the area.
Start exploring today and see what’s good this week.