Things to do in Gainesville, FL: June 2025 Edition
Things To Do In Gainesville, FL: June 2025 Edition
🎉 Things to Do in Gainesville, FL – June 2025 Edition
Summer is officially here, and Gainesville, Florida is buzzing with energy, sunshine, and events for every interest. Whether you’re planning a short vacation, a family trip, or an extended stay in one of StayGainesville’s beautiful short-term rentals, June is the perfect time to explore all that Gainesville has to offer.
From live music and festivals to museum exhibits, family-friendly outings, and outdoor adventures, here’s your ultimate guide to things to do in Gainesville, FL in June 2025.
🎶 Live Music & Cultural Events
Freedom Fest 2025
📅 Saturday, June 21, 3–9 PM
📍 Bo Diddley Plaza – 111 E University Ave
Celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of freedom with this free community event in the heart of downtown Gainesville. Expect a lineup of local and regional musicians, spoken word artists, food trucks, children’s activities, Black-owned vendors, and cultural exhibits. It’s an inclusive celebration for all ages and one of Gainesville’s most meaningful summer events.
Heartwood Music Fest IX
📅 Saturday, June 14, 3 PM
📍 Heartwood Soundstage – 619 S Main St
This locally curated music festival brings together Gainesville’s top musical talent and rising stars from across Florida and beyond. Enjoy sets from indie rock, folk, funk, and experimental artists at one of the city’s most beloved venues. Grab a local craft beer, kick back in the courtyard, and let the music roll into the night.
Jazz on the Green – Celebration Pointe
📅 Saturday, June 14, 7–9 PM
📍 Celebration Pointe Promenade
Settle in under the stars for a relaxing evening of smooth jazz. This free event brings out families, couples, and music lovers of all kinds. Pack a lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the vibe with food vendors, patio seating, and beautiful outdoor ambiance. Local jazz favorite Richy Stano & Mindwalk headline the night.
🎭 Arts & Performances
"Silver Linings" – Spelman Art Collection at the Harn
📅 Ongoing Throughout June
📍 Harn Museum of Art – 3259 Hull Rd
This new exhibit features 39 works by Black women artists from the Spelman College collection, celebrating resilience, creativity, and cultural identity. Admission is free, and the gallery is cool, quiet, and inspiring. Don’t forget to stop by the museum store or grab a bite at the Camellia Court Café.
Doxa Dance Recital – The King & The Little Mermaid
📅 Friday & Saturday, June 6–7
📍 Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
If you love expressive dance and creative storytelling, don’t miss this showcase by Doxa Dance Studio. With multiple shows throughout the weekend, it’s a great pick for families and those who enjoy the performing arts. Reserve tickets in advance—this recital is a local favorite!
Thursday Night Swing Dancing
📅 Every Thursday in June, 7:30–10:30 PM
📍 Rosa B. Williams Center – 524 NW 1st St
Free, open to the public, and welcoming to beginners—this is one of Gainesville’s best weekly activities. Bring a partner or come solo and learn classic swing dancing in a supportive, fun environment. A great way to meet locals and get moving!
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Events
Brew at the Zoo
📅 Saturday, June 7, 4–7 PM
📍 Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo – 3000 NW 83rd St
This adults-only event is a Gainesville favorite! Sample craft beers, enjoy live music, and interact with zoo animals—all while supporting the Teaching Zoo’s conservation programs. Expect lots of fun, educational booths, and a festive atmosphere.
Juneteenth Breakfast & Black Music Month Celebration
📅 Thursday, June 19, 7:30–9 AM
📍 Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center – 837 SE 7th Ave
Kick off the Juneteenth holiday with this inspiring cultural celebration. Enjoy Southern breakfast favorites, live music, and moving tributes to African American heritage in Gainesville. Tickets are $35 and include the meal and full access to the museum’s exhibits.
Haile Village Farmers Market
📅 Every Saturday, 8:30 AM–12 PM
📍 Haile Village Center
Shop for local produce, artisan bread, handmade gifts, and more in the charming Haile Village. Live acoustic music and coffee from Patticakes make this market a lovely morning outing for families and visitors.
🏞️ Outdoor Fun in June
Depot Park
📍 874 SE 4th St
A summer must. With a lake, shaded picnic areas, a splash pad, playground, walking trails, and food vendors, Depot Park is Gainesville’s go-to for all-ages outdoor enjoyment. Bring the kids, your dog, or a good book and enjoy the breeze.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
📍 325 SW Williston Rd
This 125-acre urban nature park offers a peaceful boardwalk, wildlife spotting (including gators and birds), and beautiful photo opportunities. Best visited in the morning or early evening to beat the heat. A great way to connect with nature inside city limits.
🧠 Gainesville’s Museums to Explore in June
Florida Museum of Natural History – Free admission; fossils, anthropology, and Florida’s ecology
Harn Museum of Art – Contemporary and historical collections from around the world
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention – Perfect for curious kids and innovators at heart
Matheson History Museum – Learn about Gainesville’s history, politics, and culture
A. Quinn Jones Museum – Dedicated to civil rights and Black history in Alachua County
Pro tip: most museums are free or low-cost and offer air-conditioned refuge from the summer sun!
🎬 Bonus Picks for June Entertainment
Movies on the Lawn at Celebration Pointe – Family-friendly film nights under the stars
Live comedy and improv at The Bull
Regal Butler Plaza Theater – Luxury seating, first-run films, and matinee specials
Painting with a Twist – Great for girls’ nights or date night creativity
Arcade Bar downtown – Three stories of games, drinks, and retro fun
🏡 Where to Stay in Gainesville in June 2025
Whether you’re coming for a weekend festival, a week of outdoor adventures, or a longer summer stay, StayGainesville has the perfect vacation rental for you:
🏠 Downtown homes close to Bo Diddley Plaza and Depot Park
🐾 Pet-friendly properties near trails and parks
🏫 Rentals near UF campus for summer courses and move-ins
🏊 Homes with pool access to help you stay cool
🛏️ Monthly furnished options for interns, travel nurses, and relocating families
📲 Browse all listings and book direct to save on fees: https://www.staygainesville.com
📍 Plan Your Gainesville Summer with StayGainesville
Gainesville, FL is full of life in June—from music festivals and art shows to nature hikes and cultural celebrations. With so many events happening around town, now is the perfect time to plan your stay and experience Gainesville like a local.
👉 Want even more ideas? Explore our full list of local favorites here:
Stay local. Stay cool. StayGainesville.
Looking for a comfortable, stylish, and well-located place to stay in Gainesville, Florida? Whether you're in town for a medical appointment, a University of Florida event, or a relaxing getaway, StayGainesville offers over 40 fully furnished short-term rentals in Gainesville, FL that feel like home.
🌿 Ultimate Guide to Nature Attractions Near Gainesville, FL Gainesville and its surrounding areas are rich in natural beauty, offering a diverse array of parks, springs, gardens, and waterways to explore. Whether you're interested in hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the outdoors, there's something for everyone. 🌳 City Parks in Gainesville 1. Alfred A. Ring Park * 📍 Address: 1801 NW 23rd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605 * 🌐 Website: City of Gainesville Parks * 📝 Features: Over a mile of trails through upland mixed forest and slope forest, tracing the course of Hogtown Creek. 2. Depot Park * 📍 Address: 874 SE 4th St, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Depot Park * 📝 Features: A vibrant community park with playgrounds, splash pads, and a lakefront boardwalk. 3. Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📍 Address: 325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601 * 🌐 Website: Sweetwater Wetlands Park * 📝 Features: A constructed wetland with boardwalks, birdwatching opportunities, and native plant species. 4. Morningside Nature Center * 📍 Address: 3540 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641 * 🌐 Website: Morningside Nature Center * 📝 Features: A living history farm with heritage livestock, period gardens, and interpretive programs. 🌿 State Parks & Nature Preserves 5. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park * 📍 Address: 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 32653 * 🌐 Website: Florida State Parks * 📝 Features: A 120-foot deep sinkhole with a 132-step staircase leading to the bottom, showcasing unique geological formations. 6. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A vast wetland preserve with bison, wild horses, hiking trails, and birdwatching spots. 7. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📍 Address: 13201 San Felasco Parkway, Alachua, FL 32615 * 🌐 Website: San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park * 📝 Features: A forested park with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 8. Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📍 Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038 * 🌐 Website: Ichetucknee Springs State Park * 📝 Features: A 6-mile river fed by nine springs, offering tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking through shaded hammocks. 9. O'Leno State Park * 📍 Address: 410 SE O'Leno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: O'Leno State Park * 📝 Features: Historic park with hiking trails, picnicking areas, and the scenic Santa Fe River. 10. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18700 S County Rd 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640 * 🌐 Website: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park * 📝 Features: The former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, with gardens and historic buildings. 11. Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📍 Address: 18730 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669 * 🌐 Website: Dudley Farm Historic State Park * 📝 Features: A preserved 19th-century farm with historic buildings, gardens, and interpretive programs. 💧 Springs & Water Features 12. Poe Springs Park * 📍 Address: 28800 NW 182nd Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Poe Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring with a 45-foot deep vent, offering swimming and snorkeling opportunities. 13. Ginnie Springs * 📍 Address: 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ginnie Springs * 📝 Features: A popular spot for tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving in crystal-clear waters. 14. Blue Springs Park * 📍 Address: 7450 NE 60th St, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Blue Springs Park * 📝 Features: A spring known for its vibrant blue waters and opportunities for swimming and picnicking. 🌸 Botanical Gardens 15. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📍 Address: 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608 * 🌐 Website: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens * 📝 Features: 24 major collections, including the state's largest public bamboo garden and a butterfly garden. 16. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📍 Address: 4990 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696 * 🌐 Website: Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens * 📝 Features: A 20-acre botanical garden set in a century-old limestone quarry, featuring waterfalls, koi ponds, and tropical plant displays. 🛶 Public Boat Ramps & River Launch Points 17. Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: 2308 SE 30th St, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp * 📝 Features: A concrete boat ramp providing access to Lake Santa Fe for various watercraft. 18. Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📍 Address: 24500 NE SR 26, Melrose, FL 32666 * 🌐 Website: Jill McGuire Santa Fe Lake Park * 📝 Features: A park with a boat ramp, shelter, and play area, offering access to Santa Fe Lake. 21. Ellie Ray's Resort Boat Ramp * 📍 Address: Ellie Ray's Resort, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Ellie Ray's Resort * 📝 Features: A private resort with a boat ramp providing access to the Santa Fe River. 22. Sandy Point Campground * 📍 Address: Sandy Point Campground, High Springs, FL 32643 * 🌐 Website: Sandy Point Campground * 📝 Features: A campground with a boat ramp offering access to the Santa Fe River. 🌲 Nature Preserves & Additional Parks 23. Barr Hammock Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Barr Hammock Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. 24. Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through flatwoods and wetlands. 25. Four Creeks Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Four Creeks Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve protecting the headwaters of four local creeks, with seasonal trails. 26. Lake Alto Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Lake Alto Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with trails through pine flatwoods and lake shore hardwood forest. 27. Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve * 📝 Features: A reserve with trails through longleaf pine forests and wetlands. 28. Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Mill Creek Nature Preserve * 📝 Features: A preserve with hiking trails through hardwood forests and wetlands. 29. Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📍 Address: Located near Gainesville, FL * 🌐 Website: Newnans Lake Conservation Area * 📝 Features: A conservation area with trails and birdwatching opportunities. 🏞️ Other Notable Natural Attractions 30. The Bluffs at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Scenic lookout points offering panoramic views of the prairie, ideal for wildlife watching and photography. 31. Lookout Points at Paynes Prairie * 📍 Address: Located at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, FL 32667 * 🌐 Website: Paynes Prairie Preserve * 📝 Features: Stunning views over the prairie from observation points, popular for birdwatching and hiking. 🛶 Kayaking, Canoeing, and Tubing Spots 32. Santa Fe River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (including near High Springs) * 🌐 Website: Santa Fe Canoe Outpost * 📝 Features: Enjoy paddling down the scenic Santa Fe River, a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. 33. Suwannee River (Canoe and Kayak Launch) * 📍 Address: Various Launch Points (High Springs, Micanopy) * 🌐 Website: Suwannee River * 📝 Features: A popular river for long canoe trips with beautiful landscapes and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Gainesville, Florida, and its surrounding areas are a paradise for nature lovers, offering a rich variety of outdoor experiences from hiking and birdwatching to kayaking and tubing. Whether you prefer the tranquility of a botanical garden, the adventure of a hike through a state park, or the excitement of a spring-fed river, there's no shortage of beautiful places to explore. Each of these locations provides a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders of North Central Florida. Feel free to visit any of these parks, preserves, and waterways and immerse yourself in the incredible nature surrounding Gainesville! While visiting Gainesville, be sure to stay in one of StayGainesville's comfortable homes and condos. We have a large variety of sizes, locations, prices and more! Stay local. Stay Comfortable. StayGainesville. 352-519-3994 info@staygainesville.com
