Fall in Love with Gainesville and Alachua County Festivals
Hurricane Ian:
Please be in touch with event organizers for the status of events. Click here for emergency updates and local resources.
Beautiful Gainesville and Alachua County feature fall festivals, multi-day arts and music events, over 100 miles of bike trails and blueways on which to enjoy North Florida’s idyllic autumn weather. Enjoy world-class museums and performing arts then kick back at a craft brewery or savor innovative cuisine and specialty cocktails at inspired local restaurants.
We believe that the happiest holiday adventures come from unexpected discoveries! So, if you missed opportunities for fall festival fun, there’s still time to catch a little holiday fun.
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2022 Festival and Event Dates
Peanut Patch and Corn Maze Halloween Festival
September 30 – October 29
The annual fall event features a corn maze and a haunted house. Families can also enjoy hayrides, barrel train, horse shoe pit, tube slide and more.
Enjoy a Pop-Up Halloween Speakeasy After Surviving The Dark Story Tent at The Gainesville Fear Garden
Now through Monday, October 31
Newberry Cornfield Maze
Now through Saturday, October 29
Windsor Zucchini Festival
October 1
The annual celebration of all things Zuke features zucchini crafts, zucchini bread and more.
Crossroads Farm and Apiary Fall Festival
October 8 – November 6
Tom Petty Weekend
October 20-22, 2022
Heartwood Soundstage hosts the annual celebration of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Gainesville native son Tom Petty. Admission is free with VIP tickets and parking passes available.
Thornebrook Fall Arts Festival
October 22-23, 2022
Stroll the park-like setting of the Shoppes at Thornebrook and visit 75 fine artists. Browse sculpture, photography, jewelry, fiber arts, wood carvings and more.
City of Waldo Fall Festival
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Enjoy an evening in Waldo with family-friendly games to play, vendor booths and food and drink.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Sale & Orchid Show
October 22-23, 2022
Kanapaha’s annual Open House & Fall Plant Sale, in conjunction with the Gainesville Orchid Society, welcomes visitors to discover the gardens admission-free. In addition to exploring the botanical gardens, visitors can enjoy over 50 booths offering a wide variety of plants, crafts and festival food.
Lubee Bat Conservancy Florida Bat Fest
Saturday, October 22, 2022
The Lubee Bat Conservancy hosts the annual open house Bat Fest to share bat conservation awareness and a variety of “batty-fun” festivities! Enjoy games and activities in the Kid Zone, shop unique crafts from local artisans, sample tasty fare from food trucks, speak with bat experts and view the world’s LARGEST bats up close.
European Car Show at Butler Town Center
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Butler Enterprises hosts the European Car Show, featuring over 120 cars and motorcycles from Mercedes to Audi, Ferraris to Lamborghinis with music, vendors and lots of fun.
FEST 20
October 28-30, 2022
Hundreds of bands, comedians and wrestlers transform downtown Gainesville into a three-day international music festival. Limited weekend passes remain.
Micanopy Fall Festival
October 29-30, 2022
The oldest inland town in the state of Florida bustles with activity and celebration at the annual fall festival featuring arts and crafts, food vendors and live music.
26th Annual Boo at the Zoo
Monday, October 31, 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Families are invited to the annual Halloween treat. The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo transforms into a spooky but safe trick-or-treating destination with candy stations along the trails.
The BASH Music Festival
November 4-6, 2022
The BASH features national, regional, and local artists and showcase hometown heritage through art and dance, music tributes, food and family fun. The festival will kick-off the holiday lights at Depot Park for the season. 2022 headliners include Mavis Staples, Drive-By Truckers and Larkin Poe. Admission is free with VIP ticket packages available.
Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival
November 13, 2022
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon with the family while strolling along historic downtown Main Street Alachua. Savor delicious foods from a variety of food vendors while listening to local musicians on 2 different stages and chatting with friends, neighbors, shopkeepers and unique vendors.
Downtown Festival and Art Show
November 19-20, 2022
Downtown Gainesville transforms as over 200 fine artists and crowds of art lovers take over the streets surrounding Bo Diddley Plaza. The weekend festival includes live music, performing arts and diverse flavors from street food vendors.
Featured at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center
Horse Shows in the Park – Hunter/Jumper
September 24-25
