Events in Gainesville & Alachua County
| If spring had a social calendar, it would look a lot like this week across Alachua County with What’s Good®. The weekend begins the GCM Spring Food Fest, where local chefs and restaurants gather for an evening of tastings and live music. The BARD & Broadside Poetry Festival continues this week with poetry readings woven into the Free Fridays Concert Series and the high-energy Swamp-Berry Jam Poetry Slam. In High Springs, the Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout turns the landscape itself into the studio. Plus, meet animals, explore interactive exhibits, and learn about conservation with Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo’s Party for the Planet. |
Search listings below for more of What’s Good®.
Events & Festivals
May 15
Country Star Morgan Wallen: “Still the Problem Tour”, May 15-16
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
May 15
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 16
Country Star Morgan Wallen: “Still the Problem Tour”, May 15-16
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
May 16
81st Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival
CountryWay Town Square
May 16
Spring Arts Show in Newberry
Tioga Town Center
Music & Performance
May 15
Country Star Morgan Wallen: “Still the Problem Tour”, May 15-16
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
May 15
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 15
Free Fridays Concert Series Teen Showcase in Gainesville
Bo Diddley Plaza
May 15
Arts & Theater
May 14
“Million Dollar Quartet” at the Hippodrome Theatre, April 29 – May 24
Hippodrome Theatre
May 15
Gypsy: A Musical Fable at Star Center Theatre
Star Center Theatre
May 15
“for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” at Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
May 17
Drag Brunch at First Magnitude Brewing Company
First Magnitude Brewing Company
May 22
Opening Weekend of American classic “Our Town” at Gainesville Community Playhouse. May 22-24
Gainesville Community Playhouse
Seasonal
May 14
May Adoption Event Days Gainesville
Humane Society of North Central Florida
May 15
Free Fridays Concert Series Teen Showcase in Gainesville
Bo Diddley Plaza
May 16
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
May 16
81st Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival
CountryWay Town Square
May 16
Troop 84 Centennial Celebration Dinner
First United Methodist Church
Craft Breweries
May 16
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar – Brisket and Bourbon Night
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
May 17
Drag Brunch at First Magnitude Brewing Company
First Magnitude Brewing Company
May 17
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company – Yoga at the Well w/ Jenna Horner
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company
May 17
Blackadder Brewing Company – Live Music by “Mind the Music”
Blackadder Brewing Company
May 18
Swamp Head Brewery – Trivia Night at Swamp Head Brewery
Swamp Head Brewery
Pop-Up Markets
May 15
Downtown Spring Market Series at The Streatery
The Streatery
May 16
Spring Arts Show in Newberry
Tioga Town Center
May 19
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
May 26
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
Jun 2
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
Museum & Galleries
May 14
Little Sparks at the Cade Museum
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
May 14
Art After Dark Museum Nights aMAYzing pARTy
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
May 16
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
May 23
Cade Museum’s 8th Birthday Bash!
The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
May 23
High Springs Historical Society Museum
High Springs Historical Society Museum
Outdoors
May 16
Beekeeping Series Honey Extraction Class Teaches Hive Management
UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
May 16
Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation
May 16
Painting with Bats Spring 2026
Lubee Bat Conservancy
May 17
World Tree Kangaroo Day
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
May 19
Archer Farmers Market at the Historic Depot
Archer Depot
Sports & Fans
May 20
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active, May 5-27, 2026
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
May 23
National Tune Up for the Rings
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
May 24
National Tune Up for the Rings
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
May 27
Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active, May 5-27, 2026
Alachua County Sports & Events Center
Farmers Markets
May 15
High Springs Farmers Market
High Springs Farmer’s Market
May 16
Haile Farmers Market
Haile Village Center
May 16
Alachua County Farmers Market
Alachua County Farmers Market
May 16
Saturday Farmers Market at Sweet Roots Organic
Sweet Roots Organic Farm and Nursery
Workshops & Educational
May 14
May Adoption Event Days Gainesville
Humane Society of North Central Florida
May 16
Beekeeping Series Honey Extraction Class Teaches Hive Management
UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
May 16
Grand Bonsai Exhibition Gainesville
Oak Hammock at the University of Florida
May 16
Cooking Up Health Mediterranean Gainesville Workshop
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
May 16
Painting with Bats Spring 2026
Lubee Bat Conservancy
Bites & Brunch
May 16
Cooking Up Health Mediterranean Gainesville Workshop
Alachua County Ag Auditorium
May 16
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar – Brisket and Bourbon Night
Raise Your Glass Wine Bar
May 21
BBQ Fundraiser for Rescue Animals
David’s BBQ West
May 21
Blackadder Brewing Company Charity Bingo Night
Blackadder Brewing Company
May 23
Cooking Up Health Mediterranean Gainesville Workshop
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, природ springs, 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.