Add new exhibits and live entertainment to your extended weekend plans. Veterans receive free admission to the Florida Museum of Natural History on Memorial Day. GFAA Gallery hosts the opening reception for UMOJA: A Celebration of Black Artists in Alachua County. The Hippodrome Theatre’s pop-up cabaret series continues at Bo Diddley Plaza and Thornebrook Village. Catch live outdoor concerts at Heartwood Soundstage, Tioga Town Center and Celebration Pointe.
Virtual events include Commemorating Women Warriors of the Civil War with the Matheson History Museum, Free Fridays Concert Series with Sam Pacetti, and the Memorial Mile, remembering those who have died in the wars in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003.
Be safe and be well,
–Your partners at Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Be Informed.
The below information was accurate at the time of publishing. Due to the current fluctuating environment, please contact organizers directly to double check details.
Individual business in Alachua County may have masking and distancing requirements at their private establishments. We encourage you to become familiar with businesses, venues and attractions you intend to visit and to reach out directly to these establishments should you have questions regarding their current public health and safety procedures.
Veterans Enjoy Complimentary Admission to the Florida Museum of Natural History on Memorial Day
Monday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Florida Museum of Natural History3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611
On Memorial Day, veterans receive a free value admission to the Butterfly Rainforest and Survival of the Slowest exhibits. The Butterfly Rainforest is a can’t miss living exhibit featuring hundreds of flying butterflies and birds in a serene lush green setting that includes a pond and waterfall. Survival of the Slowest offers an up-close view at live animals including hedgehogs, green iguanas, sloths and more. Plan your visit online.
Find Your Happy Place as Someday Honey takes the Outdoor Stage at Heartwood
Friday, May 28, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Heartwood Soundstage
619 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Happiness is music, friendship and bluesy soulful tunes flowing from the outdoor stage at Heartwood Soundstage. Fronted by Kaleigh Baker, Someday Honey delivers a bluesy blend of songwriting with gypsy roots. The group’s music is inspired by Baker’s rock attitude, jazz, and mountain-soul.
Celebrate Black Artists in Alachua County at the Opening Reception of UMOJA
Friday, May 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | GFAA Gallery
1314 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Gainesville Fine Arts Association welcomes back in-person art exhibit receptions with UMOJA: A Celebration of Black Artists. Enjoy artwork, food, music and speakers including artist K Williams and Alachua County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut, IV. UMOJA is presented by the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project and Gainesville Fine Arts Association. The exhibition is part of the Journey to Juneteenth series of events and is on view through June 19.
Journey to Juneteenth Marks Florida Emancipation Date With Series of Events
The City of Gainesville joins Alachua County and community partners in a month-long series of events to commemorate Florida’s actual emancipation date – May 20, 1865 – the day when enslaved Africans first learned of their freedom in Tallahassee.
A full calendar of the celebration of music, exhibits, movies and presentations at various locations, and of links for virtual events, can be found online www.cityofgainesville.org/Juneteenth. The events are free and open to all neighbors.
Find the county’s most comprehensive and searchable list of area hotels and restaurants at visitgainesville.com
Learn about our lodging partner’s commitment to a safe stay for all who visit, work and live in Alachua County at Safe Stay Pledge.
Rock Out on the Promenade with Late Night Delivery at Playlist at the Pointe
Friday, May 28, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Celebration Pointe
4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
Late Night Delivery serves up classic rock favorites. Pull up a chair or throw down a blanket and enjoy the music as the sun sets. Food, beverages and sweet treats available from Celebration Pointe restaurants.
Ease Into the Weekend with Feel-Good Music at Tioga Concert Night with Nameless Faces
Friday, May 28, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Tioga Town Center
13085 SW 1st Ln., Newberry, FL 32669
Nameless Faces features a mix from Top 40 to Latin Jazz improv and more. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy “feel good” music at the Tioga Town Center Amphitheatre. Make it an evening and grab dinner at nearby restaurants.
Liven Up Your Evening and Experience Theatre Anytime Anywhere with the Hippodrome’s New Live Cabaret Pop Up Series
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m. | Bo Diddley Plaza
111 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Friday, May 28, 6 p.m. | Thornebrook Village Stage
2441 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, FL 32606
The Hipp Pop-Up Series features 45-minute cabaret performances by well-known (and loved!) professional Hippodrome actors ‘popping up’ all over Gainesville and Alachua County. Find these fun and free to the public cabaret pop-ups at Bo Diddley Plaza on Thursday and Thornebrook Village on Saturday.
In June, live performances return to the Hippodrome mainstage with By the Light of the Silvery Screen, a cabaret celebration of movie musicals starring Laura Hodos and Bryan Mercer, featuring Academy Award-winning songs by artists such as Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Danny Kaye, and Dolly Parton and more on the Hippodrome Mainstage.
Splash into the Wave Pool at Kulaqua River Ranch
Sunday, May 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Kulaqua River Ranch
23400 NW 212th Ave., High Springs, FL 32643
Beat the heat and squeeze in a day of fun at a unique area water park. Traditionally only open to private parties, on community days, the Kulaqua River Ranch Water Park is open to the public for a day of fun. Cruise down the lazy river, descend the huge water slide and float in the wave pool.
Honor Black Women of the Civil War with the Matheson History Museum on Zoom
Saturday, May 29, 4 p.m. | Online Event with Matheson History Museum
Harriet Tubman: Commemorating Women Warriors of the Civil War is free virtual program. Speakers include Dr. Arlisha Norwood, Terri L. Bailey, and special guest Ernestine Wyatt, the great, great, great grand-niece of Harriet Ross Tubman. The program includes poetry, history, and family stories about Harriet Tubman and the role that Black women played in the war. This program is a partnership between the Matheson History Museum and MAMAs Club.
Find the Perfect Soundtrack for Your Friday as Sam Pacetti’s Guitar Serenades on the Facebook Live Free Fridays Concert Series
Friday, May 28, 8 p.m. | Online Event with Free Fridays Concert Series
Sam Pacetti is a mesmerizing live performer, mixing head-spinning guitar pyrotechnics with emotional songwriting. Live in-person concerts return to the stage at Bo Diddley Plaza next Friday. Gainesville’s longest-running concert series features a fully booked weekly schedule through October 22. Find the upcoming schedule here.
Remember Lives Lost in Afghanistan and Iraq at the Memorial Mile Virtual Event
Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31 | Online Event with Veterans for Peace
Veterans for Peace remember those who have died in the wars in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003. As a way to visually convey the impact of these losses, the Memorial Mile is an annual display of tombstones along NW 8th Ave. in Gainesville. This year’s virtual event features video footage from past events, testimonials and music performances. The commemoration can be viewed online at www.vfpgainesville.org.
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Arts & Theatre
Free Flow Art Night with Spark Art at Mai Kai Kava
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
In Search of… at Black C Art Gallery
Thursday, May 27 – Friday, May 28, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 29, 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sunshine State Book Festival Online with Keynote Speakers Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal, Coauthors of the NAACP Image Award Nominated I’m Not Dying with You Tonight
Now through June 30
Music & Performance
Rock and Blues with Mike Johnson at One Love Cafe
Thursday, May 27, 6 p.m.
Country Rock with Scotty Lee Williams at Mother’s Pub & Grill North Gainesville
Thursday, May 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join the Online Livestream “Late Night with Less Than Jake” for Classics and New Releases from the Ska Punk Band
Thursday, May 27, 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at One Love Cafe
Friday, May 28, 6 p.m.
Country Music with Clay Brooker on the Patio at the Pink Flamingo Diner
Friday, May 28, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Rock and Folk Hits, Jazz, Latin And World Music with Gosia and Ali at Great Outdoors Restaurant
Friday, May 28, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Indie Rock with Estro, Luke Sechrest, Once on My Own, Mei at High Dive
Friday, May 28, 8 p.m.
Acoustic Covers with Shuri Pass at One Love Cafe
Saturday, May 29, 12 p.m.
Top 40 Dance Music with Clockwork at One Love Cafe
Saturday, May 29, 6 p.m.
Country Music with Sondra Hunt Band on the Patio at the Pink Flamingo Diner
Saturday, May 29, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Classic Rock to Americana with Aunt Jackie at Great Outdoors Restaurant
Saturday, May 29, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Progressive Rock with Nibiru, The Pine Drape, Pupal at High Dive
Saturday, May 29, 8 p.m.
Acoustic Guitar Extraordinaire Richy Stano at One Love Cafe
Sunday, May 30, 11 a.m.
Country Rock with Seth Dukes at Great Outdoors Restaurant
Sunday, May 30, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Country Music with Cameron Wheaton on the Patio at the Pink Flamingo Diner
Sunday, May 30, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Metal with The Hound, Dancing With Ghosts, Under His Eye at High Dive
Sunday, May 30, 7 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Country Music with Houston Keen and Big Lee’s BBQ Food Truck at High Springs Brewing Company
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m.
BINGO Night at Blackadder Brewing Company
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bottomless Mimosas Every Weekend at Big Top Brewing Company
Saturday, May 29, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Sunday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Live Music from Glass Tower and Taste Food Truck at High Springs Brewing Company
Friday, May 28 p.m.
Classic Rock with The Medicine Show at High Springs Brewing Company
Saturday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Beer Yoga with Kori Brooks at High Springs Brewing Company
Monday, May 31, 6 p.m.
Beer Bingo Tuesdays at Big Top Brewing Company
Tuesday, June 1, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Team Trivia at Big Top Brewing Company
Wednesday, June 2, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cornhole Tourney at High Springs Brewing Company
Wednesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
U-Picks & Farmer’s Markets
U-Pick Blueberries at Deep Spring Farm
Wednesday, June 2, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., reservations required
Cypress & Grove Farmer’s Market
Mondays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Market at Heartwood Soundstage
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmer’s Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Newberry Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Alachua County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Haile Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmer’s Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bites & Brunch
Last Ever Wine Tasting at Downtown Wine and Cheese
Thursday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.Sample six wines and learn what the future has in store.
(Sold Out) Pasta, Pesto & Cream Sauces Cooking Class at The Fat Tuscan
Thursday, May 27, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Grand Opening Celebration at Chicken Salad Chick
Thursday, May 27 – Saturday, May 29
Thursday: the first 50 guests to purchase The Chick Trio receive a free Chick Tote Bag.
Friday: the first 50 guests to purchase 2 Large Quick Chicks receive a free Large Chick Cooler.
Saturday: the first 50 guests to purchase The Chick meal will be upgraded to a Chick Trio for free.
Dine at Local Restaurants, Enjoy Outdoor Seating or Grab a Meal To-Go
Dine-in or take advantage of additional outdoor seating expanded onto sidewalks like “GNV Commons” in downtown Gainesville.
Did you know that our dining scene regularly makes national headlines? Find out why We Chomp with the best of them!
Find a searchable list of Alachua County restaurants here.
Sports
NCAA Softball Super Regional Gators Softball vs. Georgia
Friday, May 28, 5 p.m., Saturday, May 29, 12 p.m., Sunday, May 30, 12 p.m.
Get Your Game “Lit” Under the Lights at Ironwood Golf Course
Friday, May 28 – Saturday, May 29, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Enjoy the buckets and brews packages. The new lighting addition on the driving range allows park patrons to enjoy extended hours at concessions and on the range.
American Cornhole League Southeast State Championship at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
May 28-30
Summit Series Drag Racing Series at Gainesville Raceway
May 29
Babe Ruth Cal Ripken All-Star Warm-Up at Champions Park
May 29-30
Parks & Trails
Free Weekly 5K at Depot Park parkrun
Saturday, May 29, 7:30 a.m.
Trek Through Trails: Top 5 Family-Friendly and Dog-Friendly Hikes
Spending time in nature has been proven to benefit the mind, body and spirit, so round up the kids, find the dog, or go solo and reacquaint yourself with the outdoors on Alachua County’s nature trails.
River & Springs
Swim Into the Freshwater Springs and Experience Nature Near Gainesville
The springs are a perfect way to get outside and explore the untouched natural side of Florida. Did you know North Florida is home to over 1,000 freshwater springs? The water flows crystal clear at 72 degrees all year round so make a splash on your Gainesville and Alachua County itinerary.
Museums & Galleries
Trailblazers: 150 Years of Alachua County Women at the Matheson History Museum
Open Fridays-Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Florida Landmarks and Scenic Coastlines are Depicted Across Nearly 170 Paintings, Watercolors and Drawings at “A Florida Legacy: Gift of Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers” at the Harn Museum of Art
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m – 5 p.m.
See Live Animals in the Survival of the Slowest Exhibit at the Florida Museum
Open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Spark Wonder at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention
Open Friday-Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Save The Date
By the Light of the Silvery Screen at The Hippodrome, June 4-6
Gilligan’s Island at High Springs Playhouse, June 4 -27
Free Fridays Concert Series at Bo Diddley Plaza, June 4
Savants of Soul Liveat Heartwood Soundstage, June 5
Legacy Park Concert Series, June 5
Tommy Emmanuel Liveat Heartwood Soundstage, June 12
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
Thank you for your continued partnership! Please keep in communication with us by sharing your events, updates and news with our team by emailing info@visitgainesville.com.
Your participation, communication, and sharing of events and programs is a key way for us to market our community to visitors and to enhance the engagement of residents in all of the incredible programs you create.
Put simply, the more you share with us, the more we have to promote. Please read the attached PDF document for additional ways in which your organization can participate.
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County | (352) 374-5260 | 33 North Main Street, Gainesville 32601 Never miss an event: Follow Visit Gainesville, Alachua County on social media.
This publication contains information about events, venues and activities in Alachua County, Florida. Reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the information is accurate. We are not responsible for errors or omissions in the information provided. For complete details, contact the host directly. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, we do not represent, warrant, undertake or guarantee that the information is correct, accurate, complete or non-misleading. We will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
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