First Magnitude Halloween Ball 2025: Gainesville’s Fall Party
First Magnitude Halloween Ball 2025: Gainesville’s Favorite Fall Party
🎃 First Magnitude Halloween Ball 2025: Gainesville’s Favorite Fall Party
Halloween weekend in Gainesville is always full of excitement, costumes, and community — and there’s one event that captures all three better than any other: the First Magnitude Halloween Ball.
Returning on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., this annual celebration transforms First Magnitude Brewing Company into a costume-filled dance floor with music, contests, and cold craft beer — all for a good cause.
Whether you’re a Gainesville local, a visiting college fan, or in town for a spooky getaway with StayGainesville Vacation Rentals, the Halloween Ball is one of those can’t-miss community traditions that perfectly blends fun and philanthropy.
🍻 What Is the First Magnitude Halloween Ball?
Hosted by First Magnitude Brewing Company, the Halloween Ball is a fundraiser for the Florida Park Service Ranger Association — an organization that supports Florida’s state parks and the hardworking rangers who care for them.
This means that while you’re dancing, laughing, and showing off your costume, you’re also helping preserve the very parks, springs, and trails that make Gainesville such a special place to visit.
The event features:
A costume contest with both individual and group categories.
DJ Wax Atom spinning music all night long.
Prizes for creative costumes (expect everything from “best pop culture” to “best group theme”).
Delicious craft beer brewed on-site by First Magnitude.
A family-friendly early evening that transitions into a lively dance party as the night goes on.
It’s Gainesville at its best: fun, laid-back, and giving back to the community.
📅 When and Where
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 7:00–11:00 p.m.
Location: First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch Street, Gainesville, Florida
This event typically takes place outdoors in the brewery’s spacious beer garden, with open-air tents, lights, and plenty of room for dancing, mingling, and costume photos.
Proceeds from the evening benefit the Florida Park Service Ranger Association, which provides resources, education, and recognition for the rangers who protect Florida’s parks and wildlife.
🎭 Costumes, Contests & Creativity
If you love a good costume party, this is your night to shine.
The Halloween Ball is famous for its costume contest, drawing everything from clever homemade creations to elaborate group ensembles. Guests go all out — expect to see movie characters, clever puns, retro throwbacks, and Gainesville’s unique brand of humor on full display.
There are prizes for categories such as:
Best Individual Costume
Best Group or Couple
Best Pop Culture Costume
Most Creative Homemade Costume
Judging usually happens midway through the evening, and winners walk away with brewery swag, local gift cards, or seasonal treats — plus bragging rights until next year.
For those arriving earlier with kids, the first hour of the event is more family-friendly, with space to show off costumes, grab dinner from food trucks, and enjoy music at a lower volume. As the sun sets and the music turns up, the crowd shifts into dance-party mode with lights, beats, and laughter carrying through the night.
🎶 Music by DJ Wax Atom
The vibe of the Halloween Ball owes a lot to DJ Wax Atom, Gainesville’s favorite local DJ known for his creative, high-energy mixes. Expect a blend of:
Classic Halloween anthems (think “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters”)
’80s and ’90s hits
Modern pop and dance tracks
Rock favorites and remixes
Whether you’re a dance floor regular or more of a “tap-your-foot-while-holding-a-pint” type, the music keeps everyone moving. The crowd is always friendly, the energy infectious, and the setting — a local brewery under twinkling lights — makes it feel like the best kind of Gainesville night out.
🍺 About First Magnitude Brewing Company
Located just a few blocks from downtown Gainesville, First Magnitude Brewing Co. is a cornerstone of the local community. Named after Florida’s “first magnitude” springs — the largest and most powerful in the state — the brewery was founded on a mission of quality, sustainability, and connection.
They’re known for refreshing, locally inspired brews like:
72 Pale Ale (a nod to the steady 72-degree spring water)
Wakulla Hefeweizen
Drift English Mild Ale
Ursa IPA
Their spacious taproom and shaded outdoor beer garden make it the perfect spot for festivals, fundraisers, and live music. Whether it’s a daytime family visit or a lively night like the Halloween Ball, the atmosphere feels friendly, inclusive, and unmistakably Gainesville.
💚 Supporting Florida Parks
The best part of this Halloween party? It supports a cause that directly benefits the natural beauty around us.
Funds raised from the Halloween Ball go toward projects that help preserve Florida’s 175 state parks — from trail maintenance and habitat restoration to ranger recognition and community education.
For guests staying with StayGainesville, this event is a wonderful way to enjoy Gainesville’s nightlife and give back to the environment that makes North Florida so beautiful. You can raise a glass, have a dance, and know you’re helping protect the springs and forests that draw so many visitors here every year.
🏡 Where to Stay for Halloween Weekend
If you’re traveling to Gainesville for the weekend or just want to make a mini staycation of it, StayGainesville Vacation Rentals has the perfect home base for your Halloween fun.
1. Downtown Condos – Walkable to the Action
StayGainesville offers stylish condos just minutes from downtown and First Magnitude. Park your car once, walk or scooter to the brewery, and enjoy the evening worry-free.
2. Spacious Homes for Groups or Families
Traveling with friends? Our 3–5 bedroom homes let your whole group stay together. Cook breakfast, plan costumes, and get ready for the party in comfort.
3. Cozy Cottages for Couples
If you’re attending with your partner, choose one of our romantic cottages with private patios — ideal for relaxing after a night of dancing and craft beer.
4. Free Parking and Easy Access
All our properties include parking — a big perk when Gainesville fills up for Halloween weekend. Plus, you’ll have full kitchens, laundry access, and all the comforts of home.
StayGainesville homes are professionally cleaned, fully furnished, and locally managed — so you’ll experience the same Gainesville hospitality that makes events like the Halloween Ball so special.
🗓 Make It a Weekend
Halloween weekend in Gainesville isn’t just about one night — it’s a full lineup of events. Make the most of your trip by combining the Halloween Ball with:
Boo at the Zoo (October 30): A family-friendly trick-or-treat event at Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.
Downtown Halloween Block Parties (October 31): Live music, themed cocktails, and costume contests for adults.
Haile Farmers Market (November 1): Saturday morning coffee and local goods after a big night out.
Nature Day Trips (November 2): Recover from the festivities with a peaceful walk through Paynes Prairie or a picnic at Depot Park.
By staying the full weekend, you can experience Gainesville’s diverse mix of community spirit, nature, and nightlife — all from the comfort of your StayGainesville rental.
🧙♀️ Tips for Attending the Halloween Ball
Arrive early for parking and a good spot near the dance floor.
Bring your ID — it’s a brewery, after all.
Plan your costume in advance — originality wins here!
Bring cash for food trucks, merch, and raffle entries.
Stay hydrated (and not just with beer).
Walk or rideshare if you plan to enjoy a few drinks.
🕺 Why Gainesville Loves This Event
The First Magnitude Halloween Ball has become one of Gainesville’s signature fall events because it captures everything locals love about this city: community, creativity, and cause-driven fun. It’s the perfect balance between family-friendly celebration and grown-up party.
By the end of the night, you’ll have danced under string lights, made new friends, and helped raise funds for Florida’s parks — all while sipping a locally brewed beer.
🎃 If you’re spending Halloween weekend in Gainesville, make sure the First Magnitude Halloween Ball is on your calendar. It’s a mix of live music, laughter, and local spirit that truly embodies what Gainesville is all about.
Come in costume, bring your friends, and enjoy one of the most fun nights of the year — all while supporting a cause that keeps Florida’s natural beauty thriving.
And when you’re ready to unwind, StayGainesville Vacation Rentals will be your home away from home — comfortable, close by, and ready to welcome you after a night of dancing under the stars.
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or Call Us at 352-519-3994.
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