Spend Game Day in Gainesville and Cheer On Your Favorite Team
Welcome, football fans!
Enjoy your stay and fill your weekend with fun things to do in Gainesville and Alachua County.
Weekend Events and Things to Do
Signup with your email to get our What’s Good weekend event guide delivered to your inbox. Plan your weekend with events and festivals, live music, craft breweries, museums and more.
University of Florida Homecoming and Gator Growl
Homecoming Parade: Friday, October 7, 12 p.m.
Gator Growl: Friday, October 7, 6 p.m.
View Memories of Legendary Bands at a Legendary Music Venue at the Matheson History Museum’s Newest Exhibit “Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall”
Opening Reception: Friday, October 7, 7 p.m.
Museum Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Matheson History Museum
513 East University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Celebrate Gameday Weekend at the Official Block Party of the Florida Gators at Chomp the Block
Friday, October 7, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Celebration Pointe
4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
Gameday Weekend Fun at Swamp Head Brewery’s Football Fridays
Friday, October 7, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Windsor Zucchini Festival
Saturday, October 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FL2K Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Thursday, October 6 – Sunday, October 9
Melissa Aldana Quartet UpStage at the Phillips Center
Thursday, October 13
Splash Into Freshwater Springs Along the Santa Fe River
Paddle 8 Springs in 8 Miles with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures at Poe Springs Park

South Eastern Conference Home Towns
The South Eastern Conference highlights college football home towns in a series of articles featuring things to do across the 11-state footprint of the conference. Take a visit through Gainesville on a game day weekend at The Swamp.

FREE Things to Do
Have fun without breaking the bank. Explore our collection of FREE and activities and destinations in Gainesville and Alachua County.
At the University of Florida Cultural Plaza, view art exhibits and collections at the Harn Museum of Art, and learn about the state’s past at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Across from Lake Alice at sunset, see hundreds of thousands of bats take flight from the UF Bat Houses.
Explore over 100 miles of trails, including the paved 16-mile multi-purpose path on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, hiking trails at Morningside Nature Center and walking, equestrian and cycling trails at Turkey Creek Preserve.
Make a trip to historic small towns like Micanopy, Alachua and High Springs. Browse galleries, boutiques and antique shops. Relax and feel refreshed at a local cafe or restaurant.

Savor Award-Winning Cuisine
From food trucks and craft breweries to farm-to-table dinners and fine dining, you can treat your taste buds with delectable culinary options. Browse our listings of restaurants, bakeries, cafes and more online.

Game Day Information
Plan ahead with the Florida Gators Football Game Day Guide, and get details including mobile ticketing, parking and shuttles, pre-game events, tailgating and more.