What's Good

A weekend of live music and local finds starts with What’s Good®. Friday night kicks off with ‘90s alt-rock favorites The Pet Detectives at Bo Diddley Plaza. On Saturday, experience the Wild West like never before at Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival, a high-energy celebration of America’s 250th featuring fearless gunslingers, trick riders, aerialists, live music and Native American dancers at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center.

Keep the adventure going with the Indoor Mammoth Market at The Wooly, where local makers and artists offer one-of-a-kind finds, then continue the treasure hunt at The Florida Vintage Market at South Main Station for retro styles, vintage gems and nostalgic discoveries.

The shopping list is back – and somehow it keeps getting longer.

Backpacks and sneakers. Notebooks and laptops. First-day outfits, dorm-room details and the inevitable item no one remembers until the night before. Fortunately, Gainesville and Alachua County make it easy to find what’s on the list – and a few things that weren’t. Shop the Sunshine – Visit our Gainesville, Alachua County shopping guide.

Search listings below for more of What’s Good®.

Events & Festivals

Jul 26

“Up”

Map pin icon Hippodrome Cinema

Jul 26

“Time and Water”

Map pin icon Hippodrome Cinema

Jul 26

“I Love Boosters”

Map pin icon Hippodrome Cinema

Jul 27

Senior Bingo

Map pin icon Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

Jul 27

Footsteps in History: Cumberland Island

Map pin icon Tower Road Library Branch

Music & Performance

Arts & Theater

Jul 26

“Heathers: The Musical,” July 17 – August 9

Map pin icon Gainesville Community Playhouse

Jul 30

“Robin Hood”

Map pin icon High Springs Playhouse

Jul 30

“Heathers: The Musical,” July 17 – August 9

Map pin icon Gainesville Community Playhouse

Seasonal

Jul 27

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Jul 28

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Jul 29

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Jul 30

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Aug 1

Haile Farmers Market

Map pin icon Haile Village Center

Craft Breweries

Pop-Up Markets

Museum & Galleries

Jul 30

Little Sparks at the Cade Museum

Map pin icon The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Jul 31

Contemporary Art Experience: Threshold

Map pin icon Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown

Aug 1

High Springs Historical Society Museum

Map pin icon High Springs Historical Society Museum

Aug 8

High Springs Historical Society Museum

Map pin icon High Springs Historical Society Museum

Aug 15

High Springs Historical Society Museum

Map pin icon High Springs Historical Society Museum

Outdoors

Jul 27

Monday Night Rally Run Club

Map pin icon The Queens Arms Pub

Aug 1

Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience

Map pin icon Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

Aug 2

Aug 2

Aug 3

Monday Night Rally Run Club

Map pin icon The Queens Arms Pub

Sports & Fans

Jul 26

The Main Event Basketball Tournament

Map pin icon Alachua County Sports & Events Center

Jul 28

Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active

Map pin icon Alachua County Sports & Events Center

Jul 29

Open Pickleball Nights Serve Up a New Way to be Active

Map pin icon Alachua County Sports & Events Center

Jul 29

Newberry Pickleball Open Gym

Map pin icon Easton Newberry Sports Complex

Aug 1

Open Gym at Easton Newberry Sports Complex

Map pin icon Easton Newberry Sports Complex

Farmers Markets

Jul 27

Grove Street Farmers Market

Map pin icon Cypress & Grove Brewing Company

Jul 31

High Springs Farmers Market

Map pin icon High Springs Farmer’s Market

Aug 1

Waldo Farmers and Flea Market

Map pin icon Waldo Farmers and Flea Market

Aug 1

WAHS Waldo Monthly Market

Map pin icon Waldo City Square

Workshops & Educational

Jul 27

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Jul 27

Jul 28

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Jul 28

Pinspiration Kids Summer Crafter-noons

Map pin icon Pinspiration Gainesville

Jul 29

Stitching the Revolution

Map pin icon Archer Library Branch

Bites & Brunch

Jul 30

Aug 6

Aug 16

Gator Garden Brunch

Map pin icon Sweetwater Branch Inn

Aug 21

Gather & Graze: Charcuterie Workshop

Map pin icon Sweetwater Branch Inn

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.

What’s Good

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.