Explore What’s Good and set your sights on adventure starting with the first weekend of 2024. Brighten your winter with the colorful display of prize-winning blooms at the annual Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Camellia Show. Round up your favorite recipes then head over to the Bryer Patch for seasonal U-pick strawberries or jump on over to Frog Song Organics Farm for educational tours, tasty cane syrup making demonstrations, and farm-to-table lunches. Meet the critters of Critter Creek and enjoy delicious plant-based foods while shopping from over 30 vendors.
Discover more opportunities to get outside with Living History Saturday at Morningside Nature Center and with the Alachua Audubon Society led hour-long Birds and Brews tour launching from First Magnitude Brewing. Early sunsets are a great opportunity to catch Art After Dark at the Harn Museum or dinner-and-a-show with live music on dozens of stages.
Read on for more of What’s Good.
Your partners at Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
Be Informed: The below information was accurate at the time of publishing.
Please contact organizers directly to double-check details.
See Prize-Winning Blooms, Tour Plant Collections and Shop for Bamboo at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Guided Walk
Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
See winter highlights on a guided walk through the plant collections.
Annual Camellia Show
Saturday, January 6, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Camellia Show features prize-winning camellias of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Camellias are available for sale while supplies last.
Annual Winter Bamboo Sale
Now through January 22
Varieties of clumping bamboo and lady palm are dug to order directly from the grounds of Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Learn more about plant care and how to place orders at Kanapaha.org.
Spend a Day on the Farm and See How Cane Syrup Gets Made at the Frog Song Organics Cane Boil and Farm Tour
Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Frog Song Organics
4317 NE US Hwy 301., Hawthorne, FL 32640
Join the cane boil demonstration and observe how organically grown sugar cane becomes rich, tasty cane syrup using an antique mill and traditional cooking methods. Tour the farm and learn about the practices of caring for pastured chickens and pigs on guided walking tours.
Cane syrup is available for sale, along with handmade baked treats and a farm-to-table lunch from Chef Richard Vaughn. Stock up on fresh veggies and find pasture-raised pork at the Frog Song Organics farm stand.
Find a New Hobby or Give Your Annual Birding List a Boost with Alachua Audubon Society at Birds and Brews
Sunday, January 7, 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | First Magnitude Brewing Company
1220 SE Veitch St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Birders of all skill levels meet at First Magnitude Brewing Company and stroll to Depot Park for an informal guided tour that lasts about an hour. The group then returns to the brewery to share their findings over a pint. All birding skill levels are welcome.
Step Back In Time to a Working Farm from 150 Years Ago at Living History Saturdays at Morningside Nature Center
Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Morningside Nature Center
3540 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32641
The first Saturday of 2024 features a working farm from the 1870s brought to life by volunteers in costume. Explore the log cabin and wood-fired stove, meet heritage breed farm animals, plant a seed in the heirloom garden and hammer a nail in the wood shop.
Chill with Cool Dinos at the Interactive Exhibit “Antarctic Dinosaurs”
Now through April 21 | Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL 32611
Discover life beneath the ice in Antarctic Dinosaurs. Uncover the history of the world’s southernmost continent and the unique species that have called it home in this interactive, family-friendly experience. Antarctic Dinosaurs is on display through April 21.
Explore additional exhibits at the Florida Museum including the Butterfly Rainforest featuring hundreds of flying butterflies, South Florida People and Environments, Florida Fossils and the kid-friendly Discovery Zone. Plan your visit online.
Step Up Your Grilling Game with Gator Grill Masters
Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | UF Department of Animal Sciences
2250 Shealy Dr., Building 245, Room 156, Gainesville, FL 32611
Gator Grill Masters is a day-long course designed for home cooks to elevate their grilling skills to new heights. Learn about grilling concepts, meat selection and grading, spice blends, marinades and more. Participants create their own spice blend to season then cook a steak on a grill of their choice. Leave the class with a reference manual, meat thermometer, custom spice blend and new confidence cooking meat on a grill.
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Events & Festivals
Local Art and Live Music at Local Expo at Hotel Indigo
Friday, January 5, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Gainesville Cars and Coffee at Tioga Town Center
Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Metal Bowls Blacksmithing Class at [Fe]ver Metal Art Studio
Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Guided Zoo Tour in ASL: Animal Super Senses at Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Saturday, January 6, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Haaappy Hour Yoga with Little Goats at Krazy Hearts Farm
Saturday, January 6, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
(sold out) Hatchet Blacksmithing Workshop at Crooked Path Forge
Sunday, January 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Happy New Year Farmers Moo-Ket at Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
Sunday, January 7, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Houseplant Renaissance Class with Florida Master Gardener Volunteers at Alachua County Ag Auditorium
Tuesday, January 9, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Music & Performance
Alt Country with Alma Russ at Lightnin’ Salvage
Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Jazz and Blues with Eric Diamond at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Classic Rock with Couch Messiahs at One Love Café
Friday, January 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Motown, R&B, Jazz with The Browns at Lightnin’ Salvage
Friday, January 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with In the Moment at Pink Flamingo Diner
Friday, January 5, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Classic Rock with Wild Blue Yonder at The Great Outdoors
Friday, January 5, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Country with Chapel Hart at High Dive
Friday, January 5, 9 p.m.
Singer Songwriter Alivia Hunter Live Album Recording at Heartwood Soundstage
Saturday, January 6, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Country with Timberton at High Dive
Saturday, January 6, 9 p.m.
Roots Duo Two Crows for Comfort at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Sunday, January 7, 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Post-Hardcore with Capstan at High Dive
Monday, January 8, 7:30 p.m.
Classic Rock with Brandon Dull at Lightnin’ Salvage
Tuesday, January 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Folk with Johanna Warren, Spirit Tramp and Mace at How Bazar
Tuesday, January 9, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Folk with Possessed by Paul James at Loosey’s Downtown
Wednesday, January 10, 7 p.m.
Tilting at Windmills 2: A Night of Storytelling at Heartwood Soundstage
Wednesday, January 10, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Craft Breweries
Make a resolution to visit every brewery on the Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail in 2024.
Karaoke Night at Blackadder Brewing Company
Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m.
Country with Zach Lambert at Swamp Head Brewery
Friday, January 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Classic Rock with Crooked Counsel at High Springs Brewing Company
Friday, January 5, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Country with Justin Lee Partin at High Springs Brewing Company
Saturday, January 6, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Brunch at the Brewery with Cheffrey’s at Swamp Head Brewery
Sunday, January 7, 11 am. – 3 p.m.
U-Picks and Farmers Markets
U-Pick Strawberries at The Bryer Patch
Saturdays and Sundays through April
Grove Street Farmers Market with Live Music
Mondays, 4 p.m. –7 p.m.
Archer Farmers Market at Archer Historical Society Railroad Museum
Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Union Street Farmers Market at Bo Diddley Plaza
Wednesdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
GNV Holiday Market at South Main Station with Live Music from The Shambles
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Holiday Farmers Market at Celebration Pointe
Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
High Springs Farmers Market
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Haile Village Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Alachua County Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Waldo Farmers and Flea Market
Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bites and Brunch
Now Open: Capricious Local Eatery in Newberry
Wine Tasting at Superette Wine and Provisions
Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting at the Traveler Wine Bar
Thursday, January 4, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wine Tasting Class: Around the World at Beaker and Flask Wine Co.
Saturday, January 6, 4:30 p.m.
(sold out) Roman Foods Master Class at the Fat Tuscan
Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sports & Fans
Gators Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina at Exactech Arena
Thursday, January 4, 7 p.m.
Gators Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving vs. South Carolina at the O’Connell Center
Friday, January 5, 11 a.m.
(sold out) Gators Men’s Basketball vs. Kentucky at Exactech Arena
Saturday, January 6, 12:30 p.m.
Funstastic Fridays Archery at Easton Newberry Archery Center
Friday, January 5, 5 p.m.
All Welcome Test and Tune Drag Racing at Gainesville Raceway
Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m.
Indoor Pickleball and Drink Specials at Dink and Drink at Alachua County Sports and Events Center
Friday, January 5, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
399 Sports Basketball Jamboree Tournament at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
Saturday, January 6, 9 a.m.
Open Gym at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center
Sunday, January 7, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Parks & Trails
Accessible Tram Tours at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Ongoing, Check for Availability
Friday, January 5, 9 a.m.Monday, January 8, 2 p.m.
Weekly Walk and Talk with Alachua Conservation Trust at Santa Fe River Preserve
Friday, January 5, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Free Timed 5K with parkrun at Depot Park
Saturday, January 6, 7:30 a.m.
Ranger-Led Rim Ramble Hike at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail
Saturday, January 6, 9:45 a.m.
Park Fit: Yoga at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ranger-Led Sunrise Hike at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail
Sunday, January 7, 6:45 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Perspectives in the Parks, Theatre of Memory with Bill Hutchinson at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park
Sunday, January 7, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday Bird Walks with Alachua Audubon Society at Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Wednesday, January 10, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
River & Springs
Enjoy Cooler Weather and Explore the Outdoors and with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures and Visit 8 Springs in 8 Miles
Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fed by the underground Floridan Aquifer, North Florida has one of the highest concentrations of springs in the world. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventure offers an easy way to experience 8 springs in 8 miles. Paddle along the Santa Fe River in a canoe or kayak and experience crystal clear water, see native wildlife and relax in a tranquil nature setting.
Float or Splash Into Freshwater Springs
North Florida is home to the largest collection of first-magnitude springs in the United States. The springs make a perfect destination for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and relaxing in nature. If you’re looking for outdoor fun, we’ve got you covered with our list of nearby springs, great places to stay and fun things to do.
Museums & Galleries
Art After Dark at the Harn Museum of Art
Thursday, January 4, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Mothers Portraits Solo Exhibition by Keiaria Williams at the Hippodrome Gallery
Friday, January 5 – Thursday, February 1
Sign Up Here at The Historic Thomas Center
Now through January 19
“Vital and Veiled: Valerie Brathwaite and José Fernández” at the Gary R. Libby University Gallery
Now through January 26
Save The Date
Swallowtail Farm Dining Experience, January 13
Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Invitational, January 13-15
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Alachua, January 15
Playground Music and Arts Festival, January 20
Sunshine State Book Festival, January 26-27
Hoggetown Medieval Faire at Depot Park, January 27-28
For a complete list of events please visit www.visitgainesville.com/events/
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