Little Shop of Horrors
Theater at Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereHippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
North Central Florida · Week of Oct 11
Fall in North Central Florida opens this weekend on the water and on stage, with the Cedar Key Seafood Festival downtown on Saturday and Sunday and Dance Alive’s Tom Petty ballet at the Phillips Center on Friday.
The Must See is the 72nd Florida Gateway Fair and Livestock Show, October 30 through November 8, at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in Lake City. The other Editor’s picks are the 55th Cedar Key Seafood Festival in downtown Cedar Key, October 17 and October 18, Suwannee Hulaween 2026 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, October 22 through October 25, Tom Petty Weekend at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, November 13 through November 15, and the 45th Downtown Festival and Art Show in downtown Gainesville, November 14 and November 15.
From there the list runs through the Phillips Center concerts and dance nights, The Fest downtown, haunted hayrides and pumpkin patch screams, and trick-or-treat nights still on the page.
Editor’s pick · This week
EVENTS FROM October 15 – November 15
Little Shop of Horrors
Theater at Hippodrome Theatre, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereHippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Boo's Night Out
Trick-or-Treat at Veterans Park, Lake City.
WHO Family
When5–8:30 PM
WhereVeterans Park, 124 NW Veterans Street, Lake City, FL
CostFree
Dance Alive: Rock On America! A Tom Petty Tribute Ballet
Dance at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Movie Night: Halloweentown
Family at Bo Diddley Plaza, Gainesville.
WHO Family
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereBo Diddley Plaza, 111 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostFree
Season of Screams at The Peanut Patch
Haunted Attraction at The Peanut Patch and Corn Maze, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri & Sat 5–11 PM
WhereThe Peanut Patch and Corn Maze, 8656 SW 75th Street, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Haunted Hayride at Zip! Haile Quarry
Haunted Attraction at Zip! at Haile Quarry, Newberry.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri & Sat 6–7:30 PM
WhereZip! at Haile Quarry, 3975 NW County Road 235, Newberry, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Fall Horticultural Expo and Plant Market
Expo at Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, Newberry.
WHO Everyone
When9 AM–4 PM
WhereAlachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, 23100 West Newberry Road, Newberry, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Howl-O-Ween 5K and Fall Festival
Race at Humane Society of North Central Florida, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When9 AM–3 PM
WhereHumane Society of North Central Florida, 4205 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
International Motorcycle and Car Show
Car show at Butler Center, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When9 AM–12 PM
WhereButler Center, 3217 SW 35th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL
CostFree for spectators
The Arc of Bradford County 22nd Annual Fall Festival
Festival at Former Hampton Elementary School, Hampton.
WHO Family
WhenFrom 10 AM
WhereFormer Hampton Elementary School, 10501 Hampton Avenue, Hampton, FL
CostFree admission; Cow Patty Bingo tickets $50
The Great Pumpkin Bash
Family at Bo Diddley Plaza, Gainesville.
WHO Family
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereBo Diddley Plaza, 111 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostFree
Town of La Crosse Fall Festival
Festival at La Crosse Fire/Rescue Station 22, La Crosse.
WHO Everyone
When10 AM–4 PM
WhereLa Crosse Fire/Rescue Station 22, 20421 North State Road 121, La Crosse, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Trey Tucker
Concert at Music Hall, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak.
WHO Everyone
When7–10 PM
WhereMusic Hall, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
55th Cedar Key Seafood Festival
Festival at Downtown Cedar Key, Cedar Key.
WHO Everyone
When10 AM–5 PM; parade Sat 11 AM
WhereDowntown Cedar Key, 2nd Street & City Park (downtown Cedar Key), Cedar Key, FL
CostFree admission
Davin Youngs – THE RESET
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When11 AM & 3 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Florida Forever Festival
Festival at First Magnitude Brewing Company, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When1–5 PM
WhereFirst Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch Street, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
For the Animals Chili Cook-Off
Food at Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When12–4 PM
WhereHeartwood Soundstage, 619 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL
Cost$25; children under 12 free with an adult
Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks
Trick-or-Treat at UF Sorority Row, Gainesville.
RUBBERBAND – Vic's Mix
Dance at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Suwannee Hulaween 2026
Festival at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak.
WHO Everyone
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereSpirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
The Fest 24
Festival at Downtown Gainesville (multiple venues; kickoff at Bo Diddley Plaza), Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenKickoff Thu Oct 22 at Bo Diddley Plaza; 300+ bands Fri–Sun
WhereDowntown Gainesville (multiple venues; kickoff at Bo Diddley Plaza), 111 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Florida Bat Festival
Festival at Lubee Bat Conservancy, Gainesville.
WHO Family
When10 AM–5 PM
WhereLubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL
Cost$10 adults; $5 ages 5–12; 4 and under free
Westside Church of God of Prophecy Fall Festival
Family at Westside Church of God of Prophecy, Gainesville.
WHO Family
When12–5 PM
WhereWestside Church of God of Prophecy, 909 NW 44th Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostFree
Zombie Run at Waldo MX
Race at Waldo MX, Waldo.
WHO Everyone
When9 AM
WhereWaldo MX, 17000 NE US Highway 301, Waldo, FL
Cost$60; ages 8 and up
Claire Wells
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When2 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Robin Wall Kimmerer: The Serviceberry
Talk at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Boo at the Zoo
Trick-or-Treat at Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, Gainesville.
WHO Family
When3–7 PM
WhereSanta Fe College Teaching Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL
CostOne canned good or nonperishable food item per person
Halloween Safari Drive-Thru
Tour at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenFrom 5:30 PM
WhereCarson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, 8528 East County Road 225, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
UF Symphony Orchestra: Symphonie Fantastique
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
John Carpenter Fest
Film at Hippodrome Cinema, Gainesville.
WHO Adult
WhenThe Thing Fri 8:30 PM; Halloween Sat 8:30 PM
WhereHippodrome Cinema, 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
72nd Florida Gateway Fair and Livestock Show
Fair at Florida Gateway Fairgrounds, Lake City.
WHO Family
WhenMon–Fri 5 PM–close; Sat 2 PM–close; Sun 12 PM–close
WhereFlorida Gateway Fairgrounds, 164 SW Mary Ethel Lane, Lake City, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Capitol Fools
Comedy at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
An Evening with Renée Elise Goldsberry
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story
Theater at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7:30 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
War on the Home Front – Veterans Day
Talk at Historic Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When10 AM–1 PM
WhereHistoric Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostFree
Sons of Town Hall
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7 PM & 9 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Yilian Cañizares
Concert at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When7 PM & 9 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Tom Petty Weekend
Tribute at Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
WhenContact organizer for hours
WhereHeartwood Soundstage, 619 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
Doxa Dance Studio: Sleeping Beauty and the Saving Prince
Dance at Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When6 PM
WherePhillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL
CostSee organizer website for details
45th Downtown Festival and Art Show
Festival at Downtown Gainesville, Gainesville.
WHO Everyone
When10 AM–5 PM
WhereDowntown Gainesville, 111 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL
CostFree
23rd Annual Alachua Harvest Festival
Festival at Main Street, Alachua, Alachua.
WHO Everyone
When10 AM–4 PM
WhereMain Street, Alachua, Main Street (downtown Alachua corridor), Alachua, FL
CostFree