Blue Sky Concerts - Downtown Gainesville
2025-05-07 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-05-14 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-05-21 11:30 - 13:30, 2025-05-28 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Downtown Square, 112 Main Street, SW, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Join us for lunch on the Downtown Square and enjoy our Blue Sky Concert series!
Enjoy live music under the beautiful spring blue skies on the square from 11:30am to 1:30pm each Wednesday in May!

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Art Expression for Grief and Loss - Quinlan Visual Arts Center
2025-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
The arts can be supportive when experiencing grief and loss. Grief can be the end of a relationship, and/or the loss of a loved one. The act of creating something tangible can serve as a form of expression and allow your thoughts and feelings to guide and move you through the journey. You can create your own art through monthly sessions. You can work at your own pace with at least 3 options available. The art materials/examples will be provided. No prior art experience is necessary. No pressure to talk. Just be present, and allow the process of creative writing, collage, painting, and other art forms be a catalyst for self-care.

Food Truck Fridays - Lake Lanier Olympic Park
2025-05-16 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-20 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-18 17:00 - 21:00 | Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, 30506, United States
Food Truck Fridays are rockin’ all summer long!
On the third Friday of every month in the spring and summer, come enjoy the sunset from Lake Lanier Olympic Park’s Northeast Georgia Health System Plaza with friends and neighbors! Food Truck Fridays include live music, food trucks, beer & wine tents, and retail vendors. Entry to the plaza and concert is free and open to the public!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT DETAILS

Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge - Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club
2025-05-17 | Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, 30506, United States
Benefiting the Hall County Special Olympics as the primary charity!
Entry fee includes a 1.5 hr practice session the weekend before races with trained steersperson 5/3-4
This event uses 10-person +1 drummer Dragon Boats (teams of 11) with a weight limit of 2000 lbs. Perfect for the small business teams, corporate teams, church groups, or neighborhood teams! Yes, this event uses the small dragon boats which are a perfect way to get part of your full festival squad improving through practices
All teams will have three, 200 meters races (2 heats and a final). We also have the exciting distance race for Open and maybe some openings for a few adventurous other teams wanting to take part in racing for + – 2,000 meters.
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First Friday Concerts - Downtown Gainesville
2025-06-06 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-08-01 19:00 - 22:00 | Downtown Square, 112 Main Street, SW, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
First Friday Concerts continue ON THE SQUARE in Historic Downtown Gainesville!
Join us on the Downtown Square on the first Friday of the month from May-September for our First Friday Concert Series!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT DETAILS

Summer Paddle Camp - Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club
2025-06-09 - 2025-07-25 | Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, 30506, United States
Designed for kids ages 7 – 16, campers are introduced to the basics of kayak, canoe, dragon boat and standup paddleboard in a safe and fun environment.
2025 Dates:

June 9th-13th
June 16th-20th
June 23rd-27th
July 7th-11th
July 14th-18th
July 21st-25th

Many of the athletes on our youth Sprint Team, and some non-competitive youth in our Recreational program, started out as campers who quickly learned to love canoeing and kayaking on Lake Lanier!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Open Mic Night - Blackstrap Rock Hall
2025-06-13 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-07-06 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-08-08 20:00 - 23:00 | Blackstrap Rock Hall, 852 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
FULL BANDS AND SOLO ACTS WELCOME!Show us your talent by performing three of your best songs (15 min or less), whether they are covers or originals. Bring some friends. Be professional. And show us what you got!
We need changeovers to be as quick as possible. The backline will be provided. We will have all the sound checked and ready to go – you will not be sound-checking.
Spots do fill up so sign up online to reserve your spot…https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSetN-1K…/viewform

2025 Georgia Police and Fire Games - Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-21 | FL
The Georgia Police & Fire Games were established to recognize and honor those who work in the profession of public safety, to include law enforcement and/or firefighting. These brave men and women risk it all on a regular basis and work not for the money, but for the call to duty and the honor to serve.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Rooftop Concert Series: Brother Jason & the Red Dirt Saints - Tap It Growlers
2025-06-20 18:30 - 21:30 | Tap It Growlers, 110 Maple St, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Join us for a special rooftop concert featuring Brother Jason & the Red Dirt Saints you won’t want to miss!

Expect ice-cold drinks, killer rooftop views, unforgettable live music vibes.

Grab your friends, claim your spot early, and kick off a new tradition at Tap It!

Ekphrasis for the Masses - Quinlan Visual Arts Center
2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
The “Q” continues to be a fountain of inspiration for artists, writers, readers and poets! Our walks through each gallery inspired by the art we see there have been rich in so many ways. It is a joy to have patrons of Ekphrasis return, eager to discover nuances. Please join us for this welcoming and fun poetry session to learn more about ekphrastic poetry and to write poems of your own! All levels of writers and poets are welcome. Feel free to ask a Quinlan staff member for a chair if you wish to write in the presence of the artwork; sit in the Quinlan’s Sculpture Garden for some fresh air; take a photograph of the piece and write at your leisure. ​

Appalachian Wanderers: Helen Dortch Longstreet - NEGA History Center
2025-07-26 19:00, 2025-07-27 13:00 | NEGA History Center, 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Celebrate the natural beauty and wonder of North Georgia this summer with the Northeast Georgia History Center Chautauqua series “Appalachian Wanderers”.

Our second performance features a portrayal of Gainesville’s own social activist, Helen Dortch Longstreet (widow of Gen. James Longstreet), who fought passionately to protect Tallulah Falls and Gorge from exploitation.

This presentation includes preshow entertainment featuring performances by Atlanta Historic Dance of popular dance, contemporary with the times Longstreet will speak from. The performance is followed by in-character and out-of-character Q&A.

Free for Members, $10 for non-Members.

Die Laughing: Comedy Night - Blue Door
2025-07-26 20:00 - 21:30 | Santuary on the Square, 107 Bradford Street NW, Gainesville, 30501, United States
Comedy Nights are back at Blue Door, Gainesville’s hidden gem above Sanctuary on the Square! Get ready to laugh out loud with a new lineup of comedians, cold drinks, and good vibes all night long.
TICKETS: thedielaughing.com/blue-door
With an extra special headliner and lineup of comics, the tickets will go fast. (21+ material)

Let There Be Rock School Students Showcase - Blackstrap Rock Hall
2025-07-27 16:00 | Blackstrap Rock Hall, 852 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of live music as the students of Let There Be Rock School take the stage to honor the sounds that shaped the West Coast! From gritty punk to iconic rock, sun-soaked pop to heavy riffs, this showcase celebrates the legendary music that put California on the map. Our talented young musicians have been working hard to bring you a high-energy show filled with passion, skill, and pure rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Poster art by Joe Thompson.

Doors open at 3:00 PM | Show starts at 4:00 PM | $10 Tickets | All Ages Welcome

Come support the next generation of rock stars and experience the California sound—live at Blackstrap Rock Hall!

August Discovery Saturdays - Elachee Nature Science Center
2025-08-02 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA, 30504, United States
Terrific Trees: August Discovery Saturdays
Celebrate the towering giants of the forest this August at Elachee! Our Discovery Saturdays will be rooted in fun as we explore the incredible world of trees and the forests they call home. Through interactive learning, guided hikes, and creative crafts, you’ll uncover how trees support entire ecosystems—and why they matter more than ever. Bring the whole family and branch out into adventure each Saturday!
Highlights:
Engaging Activities: Enjoy hands-on crafts and learning stations that explore the life cycle of trees, forest layers, and more with Elachee Environmental Educator. Kids can create their very own first field guides and explore the diversity of trees through leaf and bark rubbings.
Guided Forest Hike: Join Elachee’s Environmental Educator for a walk beneath the canopy. Learn how to identify native trees, explore their ecological roles, and discover fascinating forest facts along the way (plus use your new field guide!).
Live Animal Ambassadors: Meet the forest-dwellers that rely on trees for shelter, food, and camouflage.
Family Fun: Perfect for all ages—create lasting memories while learning about the woods that surround us.
Event Details:
Date: August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 (Every Saturday in August)
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (NEW extended Saturday hours!)
Admission: Members free, Non-members $10
Come grow your love for Georgia’s forests with us this August—because every tree has a story to tell! 🍂

Back to School Bash - Gainesville Parks and Rec
2025-08-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Midland Greenway, 682 Grove Street, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Presented by Amerigroup, Gainesville Police and Fire, Georgia Mountains YMCA, and Gainesville Parks and Recreation
Join us on the Midland Greenway from 11am to 2pm for a free community event to kick off the school year
What to expect:• 2,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies• Free haircuts for kids• Free lunch and snow cones from Frozen Frenzy• Games, music, inflatable archery with Cub Scouts Pack 16, and fun for all ages
Open to all students and families with no registration requiredLocation: Midland Greenway, 682 Grove Street, Gainesville, GA 30501
Dippin Dots and Pretty Panda face painting will be available for purchase

Fool House: The Ultimate 90's Party - Boot Barn Hall
2025-08-03 20:00 - 21:30 | Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM
Ages 14+
Step into the ultimate 90’s throwback extravaganza – Fool House isn’t just a concert, it’s a nationwide nostalgic takeover! Slip into your favorite retro threads, show up early for a VIP red carpet photo op, and brace yourself for an epic pop culture trivia showdown that’ll challenge even the most die-hard 90s fans.
The party kicks off with a video DJ spinning iconic hits to set the scene, seamlessly transitioning into a full-blown, two-hour live band performance that cranks up the energy. From sing-along anthems to wild party classics, every beat is designed to keep you dancing all night long. And just when you think it can’t get any better – the balloon drop brings the ultimate celebratory twist!
Round up your crew, grab your tickets, and curate your most epic 90s ensemble. Discover firsthand why Fool House is hailed as The Ultimate 90’s Party – where every moment is a blast from the past, reimagined for today’s partygoers!

All My Rowdy Friends: Hank Williams Jr. Tribute - Boot Barn Hall
2025-08-07 19:30 | Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Doors 6:00 PM | Show 7:30 PM
Ages 14+
The Nation’s One and Only Ultimate Hank Williams Jr. Tribute Show! – “ALL MY ROWDY FRIENDS”!
With his natural appearance, sound, and stage presence, frontman, Frank Morrow keeps the “Family Tradition” alive and does what no one else does better when it comes to portraying Hank Williams Jr.! With his natural look and sound and the stage presence of “Bocephus,” you will be blown away by the “All My Rowdy Friends” Tribute Show!
Nationally touring and performing with his band, “All My Rowdy Friends” since 2009 with a fan base that is Nationwide, he keeps the music of Hank Jr. performed with the same concert originality and high energy show of the actual concert as you would see Hank Jr. today! This show is phenomenal as a headliner act in addition to opening for Whey Jennings, The Outlaws, The Black Hawks, Craig Campbell, Aaron Tippin, Eric Beddingfield, LoCash, Foghat and Colt Ford just to name a few.
Unique in his portrayal of one of the most Award-winning American country singer-songwriter, and musician in the USA, Hank Williams Jr., Frank leaves everyone wondering if that is really “Bocephus” himself they are seeing and hearing! “All My Rowdy Friends” Tribute Show has become a force to reckon with!

Excitable: Def Leppard Tribute - Boot Barn Hall
2025-08-08 19:30 | Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Doors 6 PM | Show 7:30 PM
Ages 14+
Get ready to pour some sugar on your night out—Excitable is bringing the electrifying energy of Def Leppard to the stage for one unforgettable evening. Experience the iconic sound, soaring vocals, and high-octane performance that defined a generation of rock.
From anthems like “Photograph”, “Hysteria”, and “Rock of Ages” to the thunderous power of “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, Excitable recreates the legendary Def Leppard concert experience down to the last power chord and leather-clad swagger.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these rock legends for the first time, this tribute show delivers the perfect mix of nostalgia and high-energy entertainment. Don’t miss your chance to relive the glory days of arena rock.

Quick Pickling: Preserving Your Summer Harvest - Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville
2025-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Atlanta Botanical Garden – Gainesville, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Preserve the fresh flavors of summer with this hands-on quick pickling workshop! Learn how to safely and easily pickle your favorite summer produce like cucumbers, okra, green beans, and peppers. Discover the art of creating flavorful pickles using simple ingredients, herbs, and spices. You’ll have the opportunity to sample your creations and take home jars of your very own ABGG-grown produce, perfect for enjoying all year long!
Provided Supplies:
Jars for your pickled goodies
Fresh white vinegar
A variety of herbs and spices: dill seeds, garlic, and peppercorns
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Summer Exhibition Artist Talk - Quinlan Visual Arts Center
2025-08-09 11:00 - 13:00 | Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA, 30501, United States
Join Us for Our Summer Exhibition Artist Talk!
Saturday, August 9th
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Come meet the artists behind the work, hear their stories, and dive into the creative process that shaped this year’s Summer Exhibition. Don’t miss this inspiring and engaging conversation!
