Alachua County Events and Festivals
Arts festivals, a medieval faire, small-town harvest days and a college-town music scene.
Gainesville's biggest events are run by the city, the university and Santa Fe College, and many are free. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons, when the weather suits outdoor festivals; summer is quieter, apart from free Friday concerts downtown. The small towns hold their own traditions, from Newberry's watermelon festival in May to Micanopy's fall street festival and pioneer days in High Springs.
University schedules matter. Home football games, homecoming and graduation weekends fill hotels and restaurants across the county, so check the UF calendar before you book. Festival dates and even venues change from year to year, so always confirm with the organizer.
Annual Festivals and Events
A city-run medieval fair with jousting, a living chessboard, artisans and costumed performers; the 2027 faire is planned for Gainesville Raceway.
A two-day garden show with more than 200 plant, garden and craft booths spread through the botanical gardens.
A free outdoor arts festival with more than 150 artist booths, now held at the college's Northwest Campus.
A heritage festival with 1800s-style demonstrations, reenactments and music.
A small-town festival now in its ninth decade, with seed spitting, hog calling, a pageant and plenty of watermelon.
Free weekly outdoor concerts downtown featuring local and regional bands.
Two days of vendors, crafts and antiques in the small downtown.
A homecoming parade and Gator Growl, the long-running student-produced pep rally and show.
An independent music festival that fills downtown clubs and stages with punk and indie bands, plus comedy and wrestling.
A street festival with around 200 arts and crafts vendors, live music and food under the oaks of Cholokka Boulevard.
A large outdoor art show with more than 200 visual artists, music and food, organized by the City of Gainesville.
A living-history day when sugarcane is ground and boiled into syrup the old way.
Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.
Official Event Calendars
Want help planning Alachua County?
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Alachua County Events — FAQ
What is the biggest event in Gainesville?
University of Florida home football games draw the biggest crowds, followed by homecoming weekend. Among festivals, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, the Spring Arts Festival and the Downtown Festival and Art Show are the largest.
Are Gainesville festivals free?
Many are, including the Spring Arts Festival, the Downtown Festival and Art Show and the Free Fridays concerts. The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and The FEST sell tickets.