Things to do in Gainesville, FL - January 2026
Spring into the New Year! Visit Gainesville this January for the Adventure of a Lifetime!
🎉 Gainesville Events Calendar — January 2026
January 1–4 — New Year & Early Month Events
January 1 — New Year’s Events
• New Year’s Bash (Bo Diddley Plaza) — Start the year with live music and celebration in downtown Gainesville. Gainesville Florida
January 2 — Outdoor Fun & Nature
• 2026 Polar Bear Plunge & Paddle — Water and adventure activity at Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club. Explore Gainesville
January 3–4 — Garden & Flower Show
• Kanapaha Gardens Camellia Show
Visitors can see prize-winning camellias of all shapes, sizes, and colors — perfect for a breezy garden experience. Kanapaha
January 6–10 — Family, Basketball & Science Activities
January 6
• Florida Gators Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center — Afternoon game for Gator fans. O'Connell Center
January 8
• Florida Gators Women’s Basketball vs. Texas A&M — Evening tip-off. O'Connell Center
January 9
• 80’s & 90’s Country Night Featuring Babe’s Bayou Band at The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Live music and entertainment. Explore Gainesville
January 10
• Guardians Of The Jukebox: Tribute to 80’s Icons — A concert tribute event at Boot Barn Hall. Explore Gainesville
• Florida Gators Men’s Basketball vs. Tennessee (midday game) — Another great ticket option for visitors. O'Connell Center
January 13–17 — Ongoing Culture & Community Night Events
January 13–27 (selected days) — Florida Museum Activities
The Florida Museum of Natural History hosts a Tot Trot series and kid-friendly events like Tot Trot: Colors and Science Tools FREE Day, perfect for families looking to explore science and nature. Florida Museum+1
Community Nights – Weekly at Heartwood Soundstage
• Free community gatherings and performances every Wednesday in January — Jan 7, 14, 21 & 28. Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
January 14
• Eye Opener Discovery Breakfast — Morning social/business gathering. Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
January 15–18
• Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track & Field Meet — A local track event bringing collegiate athletes to town. Gainesville Sports Commission
January 17 — Community Celebration
• First Magnitude Brewing Co. 25th Anniversary Community Party — Free, family-friendly celebration. Facebook
January 20–24 — Performances & Festivals
January 20
• Florida Gators Men’s Basketball vs. LSU — Evening game at the O’Connell Center. O'Connell Center
January 22
• Florida Gators Men’s Basketball vs. Auburn — Another great Gator game mid-week. O'Connell Center
January 23
• Sunshine State Book Festival — Day 1 (Best Western Gateway Grand Ballroom) — Full day of author talks, workshops, and events. Sunshine State Book Festival
• “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” — Community Theatre performance at the Gainesville Community Playhouse (7:30 pm). Explore Gainesville
January 24
• Sunshine State Book Festival — Day 2 — More author panels and festival activities. Sunshine State Book Festival
January 24
• Wellness Event — 2nd annual local wellness gathering with vendors and activities (afternoon). Facebook
January 25
• Live Music: Off With Their Heads & Dikembe at Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville — Punk/rock concert (evening). Eventbrite
January 27–31 — Arts, Sports & More
January 27
• Florida Gators Women’s Basketball vs. Texas — Evening game at the O’Connell Center. O'Connell Center
January 28
• Florida Gators Gymnastics vs. Arkansas — Compelling athletic showdown. O'Connell Center
January 30
• Florida Gators Men’s Basketball vs. Auburn (evening) — Gator hoops continues. O'Connell Center
January 31
• Radio 80’s – 80’s Pop & Rock Tribute Concert at The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — A nostalgic musical night. Explore Gainesville
📌 Weekly & Ongoing Activities
✔ Bo Diddley Plaza Offerings
Live performers and community performances continue throughout January at Bo Diddley Plaza, especially on weekends and evenings. Gainesville Florida
✔ Brewery Fun & Trivia
First Magnitude Brewing Co. Hosts weekly trivia and community events like bird walks — great low-key activities any week of January. F&M Brewing
✔ Florida Museum Family Series
Several Tot Trot educational days and interactive nature events are scattered through January. Florida Museum
Date Event
Jan 1 New Year’s Bash — Bo Diddley Plaza
Jan 2 2026 Polar Bear Plunge & Paddle
Jan 3–4 Kanapaha Gardens Camellia Show
Jan 6 Gators Women vs South Carolina
Jan 8 Gators Women vs Texas A&M
Jan 9 80’s & 90’s Country Night
Jan 10 Guardians of the Jukebox / Gators vs Tennessee
Wednesdays Community Nights @ Heartwood Soundstage
Jan 14 Eye Opener Discovery Breakfast
Jan 15–18 Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track & Field
Jan 17 First Magnitude Brewery 25th Celebration
Jan 20 Gators Men vs LSU
Jan 22 Gators Men vs Auburn
Jan 23–24 Sunshine State Book Festival
Jan 23 Gainesville Community Playhouse Theatre
Jan 24 Wellness Event
Jan 25 Off With Their Heads & Dikembe Concert
Jan 27 Gators Women vs Texas
Jan 28 Gators Gymnastics vs Arkansas
Jan 30 Gators Men vs Auburn
Jan 31 Radio 80’s Tribute Concert
🧠Tips for Visitors
• Plan early: Basketball games and festivals can draw crowds.
• Mix activities: Combine museum or nature outings with evening concerts or games.
• Weekly staples: Community Nights and brewery events fill out quieter January days.
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