Events in Gainesville & Alachua County
A weekend of live music and local finds starts with What’s Good®. Friday night kicks off with ‘90s alt-rock favorites The Pet Detectives at Bo Diddley Plaza. On Saturday, experience the Wild West like never before at Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival, a high-energy celebration of America’s 250th featuring fearless gunslingers, trick riders, aerialists, live music and Native American dancers at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center.
Keep the adventure going with the Indoor Mammoth Market at The Wooly, where local makers and artists offer one-of-a-kind finds, then continue the treasure hunt at The Florida Vintage Market at South Main Station for retro styles, vintage gems and nostalgic discoveries.
The shopping list is back – and somehow it keeps getting longer.
Backpacks and sneakers. Notebooks and laptops. First-day outfits, dorm-room details and the inevitable item no one remembers until the night before. Fortunately, Gainesville and Alachua County make it easy to find what’s on the list – and a few things that weren’t. Shop the Sunshine – Visit our Gainesville, Alachua County shopping guide.
Search listings below for more of What’s Good®.
Events & Festivals
Jul 26
“Time and Water”
Hippodrome Cinema
Jul 26
“I Love Boosters”
Hippodrome Cinema
Jul 27
Senior Bingo
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Jul 27
Footsteps in History: Cumberland Island
Tower Road Library Branch
Jul 27
English Country Dance
United Church of Gainesville
Music & Performance
Jul 29
Psychedelic Funk by “L’Eclair” in Gainesville
Heartwood Soundstage
Aug 2
Aug 7
Free Fridays Concert Series with Bennie and Da Band
Bo Diddley Plaza
Aug 8
Jazz on the Green Live Music Series
Celebration Pointe
Aug 14
Free Fridays Concert Series with The Impostors
Bo Diddley Plaza
Arts & Theater
Jul 26
“Heathers: The Musical,” July 17 – August 9
Gainesville Community Playhouse
Jul 30
“Robin Hood”
High Springs Playhouse
Jul 30
“Newsies” the Broadway Musical, July 16 – August 1
Ripple Theatricals
Jul 30
“Heathers: The Musical,” July 17 – August 9
Gainesville Community Playhouse
Jul 30
Seasonal
Jul 27
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Jul 28
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Jul 29
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Jul 30
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Aug 1
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
Craft Breweries
Jul 27
Swamp Head Brewery – Trivia Night
Swamp Head Brewery
Jul 28
Blackadder Brewing Company – Dice and Drafts
Blackadder Brewing Company
Aug 2
Blackadder Brewing – Jamaican Independence Day Celebration: Roots, Rock & Reggae
Blackadder Brewing Company
Aug 2
First Magnitude Brewing Company – Birds and Brews
First Magnitude Brewing Company
Aug 3
Swamp Head Brewery – Trivia Night
Swamp Head Brewery
Pop-Up Markets
Aug 1
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Sep 5
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Sep 19
4th Annual Newberry’s Fabulous 50’s Festival
Downtown Newberry
Oct 3
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Museum & Galleries
Jul 30
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Jul 31
Contemporary Art Experience: Threshold
Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown
Aug 1
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
Aug 8
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
Aug 15
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
Outdoors
Jul 27
Monday Night Rally Run Club
The Queens Arms Pub
Aug 1
Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
Aug 2
Perspectives in the Parks: Connecting Communities with the Outdoors
Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
Aug 2
Protecting Our Local Water Resources: Engaging the Next Generation
Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
Aug 3
Monday Night Rally Run Club
The Queens Arms Pub
Sports & Fans
Jul 26
The Main Event Basketball Tournament
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Jul 28
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Jul 29
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Jul 29
Newberry Pickleball Open Gym
Easton Newberry Sports Complex
Aug 1
Open Gym at Easton Newberry Sports Complex
Easton Newberry Sports Complex
Farmers Markets
Jul 27
Grove Street Farmers Market
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
Jul 28
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
Jul 31
High Springs Farmers Market
High Springs Farmer’s Market
Aug 1
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Aug 1
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Workshops & Educational
Jul 27
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Jul 27
“Florida Time Travelers” Summer Camp
Matheson History Museum
Jul 28
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Jul 28
Pinspiration Kids Summer Crafter-noons
Pinspiration Gainesville
Jul 29
Stitching the Revolution
Archer Library Branch
Bites & Brunch
Jul 30
Friends Night at Samba Brazilian Kitchen
Samba Brazilian Kitchen
Aug 6
Friends Night at Samba Brazilian Kitchen
Samba Brazilian Kitchen
Aug 16
Gator Garden Brunch
Sweetwater Branch Inn
Aug 21
Gather & Graze: Charcuterie Workshop
Sweetwater Branch Inn
Sep 2
Mediterranean Cooking Series Promotes Healthy Eating Habits
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
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 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.