What’s Good Guide of Weekly Events in Gainesville and Alachua County, September 21-27, 2023
Add fun family festivals and seasonal events to your first weekend of the fall with What’s Good. Saturday is “Tom Petty Day” at The Swamp as Gators Football hosts Charlotte under the lights. The Gainesville Orchestra presents Under the Tuscan Sun, a concert inspired by Italy. Enjoy music, craft vendors, kids zone and more at the first annual Fall Family Festival in La Crosse.
Celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month continue with the Gainesville Latino Film Festival and more. Join the Gainesville Fine Arts Association to celebrate 100 years of art. Get a close up view of circus acts paired with live music at the thrilling CircusPalooza.
Read on for more of What’s Good.
Be safe and be well,
Your partners at Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Be Informed: The below information was accurate at the time of publishing.
Please contact organizers directly to double-check details.
Celebrate 100 Years of Art with the Gainesville Fine Arts Association
Saturday, September 23, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | 1908 Grand
215 N Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
The Gainesville Fine Arts Association turns 100 and they are throwing a party to celebrate. Enjoy live music from the Gainesville String Quartet and DJ Elio Piedra, food from Blue Gill and more. Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Bring the Noise with the Savants of Soul at the Brass Band Gala
Friday, September 22, 6 p.m. | First Magnitude Brewing Company
1220 SE Veitch St., Gainesville, FL 32601
The 10-piece band Savants of Soul headline a benefit show for We Rock Gainesville with an acoustic set from Prizilla and Trust Fall the Band. Grab a bite from Germains Chicken Sandwiches, Shiloh’s gourmet hot dogs and a curated menu of cheeses from The Salty Cow Cheesemongers. Get a discount on craft beers with a donations to We Rock Gainesville.
Meet the Dancers from Dance Alive National Ballet at a Special Event Inside the Cade Museum
Friday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
811 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Before Dance Alive National Ballet begins their 2023-2024 season, share a special evening at the Cade Museum with food from Sweetwater Catering, and music from DJ Elio Piedra.
Get Into the Fall Season with Hayrides and Frights at the Newberry Cornfield Maze
Friday, September 22 – Saturday, September 23, 5 p.m. 11 p.m. | Newberry Cornfield Maze
20015 W Newberry Rd., Newberry, FL 32669
During the daytime, take a nice stroll through the corn maze choosing the best path to find your way out. After dark, the maze comes alive with frights at every twist and turn. The Newberry Cornfield Maze is open Fridays and Saturdays through October 28.
Cheer for the Orange and Blue on “Tom Petty Day” as Gators Football hosts Charlotte
Saturday, September 23 | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
157 Gale Lemerand Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611
The Top 25 ranked Gators take on Charlotte under the lights at The Swamp. It’s the 2nd annual Tom Petty Day and 6th anniversary singing “I Won’t Back Down” after the 3rd quarter. Exclusive Tom Petty Day x Florida Collection merchandise is available to mark the occasion. Arrive early for pre-game festivities including Gators Fan Fest and Gator Walk. Find game day details including parking, mobile ticketing and more at FloridaGators.com.
Photo by Matt Stamey
Plan your gameday weekend with Visit Gainesville, Alachua County’s gameday weekend guide of local events, free things to do, drive-worthy dining and more.
Discover which Craft Beer Pairs Best with Football on the Sippin’ Seven Ale Trail
Turn football “cheers” into free fun merch when you check-in on the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail. Download the free digital pass earn points when you check-in to local award-winning craft brewery.
Earn Rewards in SEC Football Towns with the Visit the SEC PassportFootball season is the perfect time for the best fans in the country to get rewarded for visiting their favorite SEC cities! Use your Visit the SEC pass to check in at the top restaurants, shopping and attractions, and landmarks in your favorite college towns.
Go Behind-the-Scenes with “Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers” at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Open Now through December 31, Thursday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
811 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers explores the joys, pains, and creative awakenings that Gainesville native Tom Petty experienced while pouring his soul into his magnum opus, Wildflowers, released in November 1994. The exhibit includes artifacts previously on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Explore three unique aspects of the Wildflowers creative process: songwriting, recording, and reception and delivery. The exhibit runs through December 31.
Image of Tom Petty photographed by Robert Sebree
Let the Gainesville Orchestra Take You on a Musical Voyage to Italy
Friday, September 22, 7:30 p.m. | Santa Fe College Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall
3000 NW 83 St. E-127, Gainesville, FL 32606
Art and music inspired by Italian influences take the stage for a special evening with The Gainesville Orchestra. Enjoy Respighi’s “Trittico Botticelliano” inspired by Botticelli, Nino Rota’s Basson Concerto with guest soloist Arnold Irchai, Mednelssohn’s beloved “Italian Symphony” and a suite of “The Godfather” by Rota.
Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Get Up Close to Circus Acts Paired with Live Music at the Thrilling CircusPalooza
Friday, September 22 – September 23, 7 p.m. | UF Phillips Center
3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
The 2nd annual CircusPalooza is an original live music circus show. Get up close to the performances with on-stage seating. Musicians include Geoff Perry, Rainy Barton, Liam Burke and more.Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Dance to Live Music at the Golf Course with In the Moment at Groovin’ at the Green
Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Ironwood Golf Course
2100 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609
In the Moment describes their unique blend of rock, folk with Caribbean influences as “Jamerican Music.” Enjoy live music at the golf course with food and drinks on the patio and a driving range that lights up at night.
Enjoy Fall Family-Friendly Fun at the First Annual Lacrosse Fall Festival
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Town of Lacrosse
20421 N SR 121, Lacrosse, FL 32658
Celebrate the change of seasons at the first ever Fall Festival in Lacrosse. Enjoy live music, food trucks, craft vendors, kids zone and more. Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Celebrate the Influence and Achievement of the American Latino Community during Hispanic Heritage Month
Movie Night at Bo Diddley Plaza: Family Film Encanto
Friday, September 22, 7 – 9 p.m.
UF World Music Festival at Bo Diddley Plaza
Friday, October 13, 7 – 10 p.m.
On View at the Harn Museum of Art, Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art
Now through January 7
On View at University Galleries: Valerie Brathwaite. Works on Paper
Thursday, September 21 – Saturday, November 18
Experience Latin American Culture with Film, Music and Dance at the 19th Gainesville Latino Film Festival
Now through Sunday, September 24 | Multiple Venues
The festival features film screenings, Latin dance and music across 8 days at multiple venues. Learn more about the festival and view the daily schedule online. Admission is free for all events. Sponsored in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Be Inspired with Legendary Latin Music from the Chucho Valdés Quartet
Wednesday, September 27, 7:30 p.m. | UF Phillips Center
3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
Chucho Valdés music blends jazz, classical, Afro-Cuban and his own personal style into an unforgettable experience. He is a winner of seven Grammy Awards, five Latin Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Pop-Up Markets and Retail Shopping
Grand Opening Party at GoodNature Pet Store
Saturday, September 23, 11 a.m.
Vintage Clothing, Jewelry, Artisan Cakes and More at the Endless Summer Market at Serpentine Plants and Provisions
Sunday, September 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Handmade, Vintage, Art and More at September Sundays Mini Pop-Up Series at The AUK Market
Sunday, September 24, 11 a.m.
Shop local boutiques and national brands at Butler Enterprises, Celebration Pointe, The Oaks Mall and Shoppes at Thornebrook.
Arts & Theatre
Laugh the Whole Way Through POTUS with All the President’s Women
Now through Sunday, October 1 | Hippodrome Theatre
25 SE 2nd Pl., Gainesville, FL 32601
POTUS took Broadway by storm in a star-studded production that earned three 2022 Tony nominations. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. This hilarious, farcical play is meant for mature audiences ages 17+ and contains adult language. Photo by Michael A. Eaddy.
The Crucible at Gainesville Community Playhouse
Friday, September 22 – Sunday, October 8
Dust by Danielle Mohlman at UF McGuire Pavilion Black Box Theatre
Thursday, September 14 – Sunday, September 24
Events & Festivals
UF Astronomy Teaching Observatory Public Viewing Night
Friday, September 22, 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Florida Bridal Expo at the Best Western Gateway Grand
Sunday, September 24, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Music & Performance
Americana with Dim Lights at Lightnin’ Salvage
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Live Music with Ted McVay at Bingo Deli and Pub
Friday, September 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Playlist at the Pointe with Prime Time! at Celebration Pointe
Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with the Couch Messiahs at the Great Outdoors Restaurant
Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Folk Chamber Music with The Wire Birds at The Bull
Friday, September 22, 8 p.m.
Dueling Pianos with Brad Heron and Leon Novembre at the Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Friday, September 22 – Saturday, September 23, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Americana String Band the Front Porch Backsteppers at Lightnin’ Salvage
Friday, September 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at One Love Café
Friday, September 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Go Down Internet Rabbit Holes at the Depths of Wikipedia Live! at High Dive
Friday, September 22, 8 p.m.
Shoulder Pads – ‘80s Dance Night with DJ Drew Love at The Wooly
Friday, September 22, 8 p.m.
Rock with Whiskey Jones at One Love Café
Saturday, September 23, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dad Rock and Hip Hop with Your Neighbors at High Dive
Saturday, September 23, 8 p.m.
Late ‘90s and Early 2000s Dance Night with DJ Cam at The Pearl
Saturday, September 23, 9 p.m.
Karaoke Night at Loosey’s Downtown
Saturday, September 23, 9 p.m.
All-Vinyl Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B and More with DJ Zion Opheus at Baby J’s Bar
Saturday, September 23, 9 p.m.
UF Carillon Studio Concert Series at Century Tower
Sunday, September 24, 1:55 p.m.
Jazz with Donnie and the Newcombs at One Love Café
Sunday, September 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sally B’s Dashing Revue with Jazz from Swing Theory at High Dive
Sunday, September 24, 6:30 p.m.
Indie Rock with Trash the Rental at Loosey’s Downtown
Sunday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Blues and Beatles Music with Blues Beatles at Heartwood Soundstage
Sunday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Alt-Rock with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at High Dive
Monday, September 25, 6 p.m.
Comedian Daniel Tosh at UF Phillips Center
Monday, September 25, 8 p.m.
The Joe Breidenstine Jazz Duo at Lightnin’ Salvage
Tuesday, September 26, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Punk with Fidlar at High Dive
Tuesday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Gainesville Bluegrass, Old-Time and Traditional Jam at Civic Media Center
Sunday, September 24, 2 p.m.
Forgotten Genius: The Piano Music of Philippa Schuyler Featuring Guest Artist Sarah Masterson at UF School of Music
Monday, September 25, 7:20 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Comedian Daniel Tosh at UF Phillips Center
Monday, September 25, 8 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Add to the gameday weekend on the Sippin’ Seven Alachua Count Ale Trail. Check-in at local breweries and earn points with the free digital pass. Learn more and sign up online.
Learn more and sign up for free at VisitGainesville.com/sippinseven.
Click here and check out the most recent edition of the Sippin’ Seven On Tap newsletter featuring fun upcoming events at local breweries.
Singer-Songwriter Cliff Dorsey at High Springs Brewing Company
Thursday, September 21, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Singer-Songwriter Mark Miale at Daft Cow Brewery
Friday, September 22, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Football Fridays at Swamp Head Brewery
Friday, September 22, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Kickoff to Fall Marketplace at Swamp Head Brewery
Sunday, September 24, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Join us at the Sippin’ Seven Alachua Ale Trail booth for Merch Madness
U-Picks & Farmers Markets
Grove Street Farmers Market with Live Music
Mondays, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Archer Farmers Market at Archer Historical Society Railroad Museum
Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Market at South Main Station
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmers Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Alachua County Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Haile Village Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Newberry Farmers Market returns Saturday, October 14
Bites and Brunch
Now Open: The Paper Bag Deli in Downtown Gainesville
Wine Tasting at Superette Wine and Provisions
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at the Traveler Wine Bar
Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tours of the New Roasting House with Lulu’s Gelato and Music from DJ Wax Atom at Opus Coffee Roasters
Friday, September 22, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Pairing and Chef Dinner with Sparkling Wines at The Fat Tuscan
Saturday, September 23, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Latte Art Throwdown at Opus Coffee Innovation
Monday, September 25, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sports
Gator Talk Live Broadcast with Gators Football Head Coach Billy Napier at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar
Thursday, September 21, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
USAA Florida State Outdoor 1440 Archery Competition at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Saturday, September 23 – Sunday, September 24
BMX Racing at the Sizzling Summer Nights Racing Series at High Springs BMX
Saturday, September 23, 6:30 p.m.
Gators Soccer vs. Kentucky at Donald R. Dizney Stadium
Sunday, September 24, 2 p.m.
(sold out) Gators Volleyball vs. Georgia at Exactech Arena
Sunday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Parks & Trails
Weekly Walk and Talk with Alachua Conservation Trust at Santa Fe River Preserve
Friday, September 22, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Accessible Tram Tours at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Ongoing, Check for Availability
Friday, September 22, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Free Timed 5K at Depot Park parkrun
Saturday, September 23, 7:30 a.m.
Ranger-Led Tour at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m.
National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event with Alachua County at Lake Kanapaha Park
Saturday, September 23, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Opening Celebration at Forest Park
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday Bird Walks with Alachua Audubon Society at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, September 27, 8:30 a.m.
River & Springs
Enjoy Cooler Weather and Explore the Outdoors and with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures and Visit 8 Springs in 8 Miles
Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fed by the underground Floridan Aquifer, North Florida has one of the highest concentrations of springs in the world. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventure offers an easy way to experience 8 springs in 8 miles. Paddle along the Santa Fe River in a canoe or kayak and experience crystal clear water, see native wildlife and relax in a tranquil nature setting.
Float or Splash Into Freshwater Springs
North Florida is home to the largest collection of first-magnitude springs in the United States. The springs make a perfect destination for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and relaxing in nature. If you’re looking for outdoor fun, we’ve got you covered with our list of nearby springs, great places to stay and fun things to do.
Museums & Galleries
Boogie Woogie Rock and Roll Dance Party at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center
Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Artist Esterio Segura Discusses “Hybrid of a Chrysler” at the Harn Museum of Art
Tuesday, September 26, 6 p.m.
On View at the Matheson History Museum, We Are Here: Stories from Multilingual Speakers in North Central Florida
Museum Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Discover a Unique African American Culture at Gullah Geechee – African Connections and Cultural Traditions in America at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center
Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Save The Date
Tom Petty Weekend at Heartwood Soundstage, October 20-22
Fall Plant Sale and Orchid Show at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, October 21-22
Florida Bat Festival at Lubee Bat Conservancy, October 21
48th Micanopy Fall Festival, October 28-29
42nd Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show in Downtown Gainesville, November 18-19
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
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This publication contains information about events, venues and activities in Alachua County, Florida. Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the information is accurate. We are not responsible for errors or omissions in the information provided. For complete details, contact the host directly. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, we do not represent, warrant, undertake or guarantee that the information is correct, accurate, complete or non-misleading. We will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
