Events in Gainesville & Alachua County
A bestselling author, SEC football weekend, and aerial performers lead this week’s What’s Good®. John Green, author of the acclaimed young adult novel “The Fault in Our Stars,” visits the University of Florida Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for a one-night event celebrating his adult fiction debut, “Hollywood, Ending,” with every ticket including a signed copy of the book.
Before Florida faces Ole Miss, CHOMP the Block brings the Gator pep rally, live music, and Albert and Alberta to Celebration Pointe. Gainesville Circus Center presents two nights of CircusPalooza, pairing live music by Swing Theory with aerial performances.
Search listings below for more of What’s Good®.
Events & Festivals
Sep 26
Panel to Pencil Cup: Celebrating Libraries
Archer Library Branch
Sep 28
Senior Bingo
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Sep 28
English Country Dance
United Church of Gainesville
Sep 29
Family Planting Party: Celebrating Libraries
Library Partnership Branch
Oct 3
Alachua County Library District 40th Anniversary Celebration
Alachua County Library District Headquarters
Music & Performance
Oct 1
Alternative Rock with The Beths
Vivid Music Hall
Oct 1
Oct 2
EDM & Rave Music by United We Dance
Heartwood Soundstage
Oct 3
Oct 3
Electronic Funk by Flamingosis with DJ Dillon Rose
Heartwood Soundstage
Arts & Theater
Sep 26
Buchholz Drama Presents “Songs for a New World”
Buchholz High School Auditorium
Sep 26
Florida Premiere of Documentary “First They Came For My College”
Hippodrome Cinema
Sep 26
“Olmo” at the Hippodrome in Gainesville
Hippodrome Cinema
Sep 26
Buchholz Drama Presents “Songs for a New World”
Buchholz High School Auditorium
Sep 26
“Antigone” Now Through September 27
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Seasonal
Oct 3
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
Oct 10
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
Oct 17
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
Oct 17
Downtown High Springs Artwalk
Downtown High Springs
Oct 23
Blackadder Brewing Co. – 10th Annual Blocktoberfest
Blackadder Brewing Company
Craft Breweries
Sep 26
Blackadder Brewing – Night on the Nile: Orange & Blue Nights
Blackadder Brewing Company
Sep 27
Swamp Head Brewery – Free Pilates at The Wetlands
Swamp Head Brewery
Sep 28
Swamp Head Brewery – Trivia Night
Swamp Head Brewery
Sep 29
Daft Cow Brewery – Bingo Night
Daft Cow Brewery
Sep 30
Daft Cow Brewery – Trivia Night
Daft Cow Brewery
Pop-Up Markets
Oct 2
Wilmot Botanical Gardens Plant Sale Event
Wilmot Botanical Gardens
Oct 3
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Oct 3
Wilmot Botanical Gardens Plant Sale Event
Wilmot Botanical Gardens
Oct 17
Fall Plant Sale at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Oct 17
High Springs Artwalk Showcases Local Artists
Downtown High Springs
Museum & Galleries
Sep 27
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Sep 27
Reflect. Imagine. Create: A Vision Board Gathering
The Oaks Mall
Oct 1
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Oct 1
After Utopia: Feminist Practice in Contemporary Cuban Art
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Oct 1
Author Talk with André R. Frattino and “We Are Pan”
Matheson History Museum
Outdoors
Sep 28
Monday Night Rally Run Club
The Queens Arms Pub
Oct 2
Wilmot Botanical Gardens Plant Sale Event
Wilmot Botanical Gardens
Oct 3
Wilmot Botanical Gardens Plant Sale Event
Wilmot Botanical Gardens
Oct 3
Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
Oct 4
Perspectives in the Parks: Connecting Communities with the Outdoors
Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
Sports & Fans
Sep 29
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Sep 30
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Oct 1
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Oct 2
Florida Gators Volleyball vs. Tennessee
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Oct 3
Open Gym at Easton Newberry Sports Complex
Easton Newberry Sports Complex
Farmers Markets
Sep 28
Grove Street Farmers Market
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
Sep 29
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
Oct 2
High Springs Farmers Market
High Springs Farmer’s Market
Oct 3
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Oct 3
WAHS Waldo Monthly Market
Waldo City Square
Workshops & Educational
Sep 27
Free Weekly Reiki Circle
The Sacred Earth Center
Sep 27
Town Hall Forum on Florida Amendment 3
D. R. Williams Fellowship Hall
Sep 30
WACKY Wednesdays
Alachua Branch
Oct 1
The Abyss Stares Back: Science and Aesthetics in the Deep Sea
UF Smathers Library Room 100
Oct 3
Preserving Your Family Heirlooms
Matheson History Museum
Bites & Brunch
Nov 6
A Community Banquet to Support Individuals with Disabilities
Trinity United Methodist Church
Dec 4
A Community Banquet to Support Individuals with Disabilities
Trinity United Methodist Church
Jan 1
A Community Banquet to Support Individuals with Disabilities
Trinity United Methodist Church
Feb 5
A Community Banquet to Support Individuals with Disabilities
Trinity United Methodist Church
Mar 5
A Community Banquet to Support Individuals with Disabilities
Trinity United Methodist Church
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.