Come out and celebrate this New Year’s Eve in downtown Gainesville. The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is expanding your downtown New Year’s Eve experience with a grand celebration. All festivities are free and open to the public, so there is something for everyone this year! 

The soulful sound of blues will usher in the Downtown Festival & Art Show weekend Friday, Nov. 15 with a free Downtown Blues Concert on the Bo Diddley Plaza from 7-11 p.m. The North Central Florida Blues Society is pleased to announce an evening under the stars featuring three incredible blues performances. 

The University of Florida’s World Music Ensembles present a “Free Fridays” concert at the Bo Diddley Plaza Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.  The event features student and faculty musicians and dancers from UF’s College of the Arts.

The Savants of Soul play at “Free Fridays” on Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville.

The “Free Fridays” Concert Series presents Michael Derry and Friends, who play a tribute to the music of Jimi Hendrix at Bo Diddley Plaza Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.

The 38th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show is quickly approaching and the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is looking for individuals and organizations that would like to support this community event by volunteering at one of the top fine art shows in the country.  This is your opportunity to mingle with nationally-acclaimed artists, enjoy performing arts and sample international cuisine. This award-winning art festival features 240 of the nation’s finest artists, as well as four stages of continuous entertainment. Four-hour shifts are available on Saturday, Nov. 16 or Sunday, Nov. 17 for volunteers of all ages. Volunteers can assist at the Junior Fire Fighting Challenge, booth sit for artists, greet guests as they arrive or help with the Children’s Imagination Station, a free, hands-on art activity area. As a token of our appreciation, volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Young artists (age seven to 18) are invited to join a tradition of artistic excellence and showcase their talent as the 38th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show honors young and aspiring artists in the Young Artist section. Recognized as one of the top fine art shows in the country, the festival is produced by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. On Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17, more than 240 local and national artists will display original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, captivating sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography in historic downtown Gainesville. Young Artist applications for the Downtown Festival & Art Show are available upon request at 352-393-8536 or online at www.gainesvilledowntownartfest.org. The application deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The City of Gainesville presents Gumbo Limbo Cajun Band at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series Friday, Oct. 4 at Bo Diddley Plaza.

The City of Gainesville’s “Free Fridays” Concert Series and the Gainesville Latino Film Festival (GLFF) have partnered to bring the Gainesville community an incredible Latin night with “el maestro de la salsa” Gilberto de Paz and Tropix Friday, Sept. 27 from 8-10 p.m.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department are hosting The Beatles tribute band, The Impostors, at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series Friday, Sept. 20.