First Friday Concerts

First Friday Concerts continue ON THE SQUARE in Historic Downtown Gainesville!

2025 Dates:

May 2nd: Classic Rock and Roll with Rock Station (CANCELED)
June 6th: Funky Fresh Night with Sentimental Gentlemen + GoMachine Collab, presented by Southeastern Young Artists
July 4th: Atlanta’s Favorite Party Band, Fly Betty, joins us for a Special 4th of July Fireworks Event on the Midland Greenway!
August 1st: Country Rock vibes with 2x winner Georgia Country’s Female Artist of the Year Mary Kate Farmer
September 5th: Classic Country with the Gregg Erwin Band

First Friday Concerts are rain or shine! The show will go on unless extreme weather conditions—such as lightning or severe, high winds, or a tornado watch—pose a safety risk. Any cancellations or delays will be announced on our social media pages.

Event Timeline:

1pm: Parking Closes around the Square.
3pm: Streets close to thru traffic around the square. Vendor set-up begins.
4pm-6pm: Pre-Show fun begins in the middle of the square!
- Vendors open.
- Kids activity area is open.
- First come first serve seating. Bring your chairs and picnic blankets to mark off an area for your friends and family group!
6pm: Sound Check on Main Stage. Grab a bite and a beverage downtown and get ready for the main show!
7pm: Main Stage concert begins!
10pm: Event ends and clean up begins.
- All vendors are required to close at 10pm and are to be cleared out as soon as reasonable. Streets will reopen promptly after event conclusion.

August 2025 Layout Map

Other Activities:

Kids Activity Area!
Shop and Dine Downtown!
Food Trucks!
Get your Gainesville-branded giveaways and merch at the Explore Gainesville tent!
New This Year – FREE WATER! Explore Gainesville is excited to be able to provide free water during First Friday Concerts! Bring your own bottle from home or stop by the Explore Gainesville tent for a free bottle (while supplies last) and look for the Explore Gainesville branded Water Monster on the Downtown Square.

Parking:

All Parking Decks are FREE in Gainesville!

Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St
Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St
North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave NE

Q&A:

Is this event handicap accessible?

Yes, there is handicap parking available in the Main Street Parking Deck, located at 301 Main St, as well as the North Parking Deck, located at 100 Brenau Ave NE.

Can concert-goers bring coolers?

Yes, you are welcome to bring coolers, but please no glass or alcohol. This event is intended to help support downtown businesses. We encourage you to purchase beverages, snacks and meals from one or more of the nearby restaurants or food vendors on site!