Spring Into Gainesville: Top 4 Must-Attend Events This Weekend
Spring Into Gainesville: Top 4 Must-Attend Events This Weekend (March 29–30, 2025)
Gainesville is bursting with color, flavor, and fun this weekend! Whether you're into flowers, food, craft beer, or cycling, there's something exciting happening around every corner. Here's your go-to guide for four can't-miss events happening March 29–30, 2025.
🌸 1. 32nd Annual Spring Garden Festival at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
📍 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL
🗓 Saturday & Sunday, March 29–30 | 9 AM – 5 PM
If you love plants, flowers, and all things green, don’t miss this iconic Gainesville event! With over 100 booths offering everything from native plants and herbs to garden art and tools, it’s a dream for plant lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Sunday includes live music and food vendors spread throughout the scenic 68-acre garden.
Insider Tips:
- Bring a wagon or garden cart for your plant purchases.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the grassy terrain.
- No pets allowed, so leave furry friends at home.
🍓 2. Bradford County Strawberry Festival
📍 Bradford County Fairgrounds, 2300 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL
🗓 Saturday, March 29 (9 AM–6 PM) & Sunday, March 30 (10 AM–5 PM)
Located just 30 minutes northeast of Gainesville, this family-friendly festival celebrates all things strawberry. Expect hundreds of craft and food vendors, plus live music, kids’ activities, and of course—plenty of sweet, juicy strawberries!
Why Go:
- It’s free!
- Great for families with young kids.
- Enjoy everything from strawberry shortcake to handmade soaps and local art.
🍻 3. Hogtown Craft Beer Festival
📍 Cuscowilla Nature & Retreat Center, 210 SE 134 Ave, Micanopy, FL
🗓 Saturday, March 29 | 12 PM – 6 PM (VIP entry at 11:30 AM)
Craft beer lovers—this one’s for you! Sip your way through some of the best breweries in the region with unlimited tastings included in your ticket. Surrounded by nature at Cuscowilla, this is more than just a beer fest—it’s an experience.
Highlights:
- Over 100 craft beers to sample
- Food trucks with beer-friendly bites
- Local brewers, live music, and a laid-back vibe
Tickets:
- $49 (before Feb 28) | $59 (after Mar 1)
- Designated driver and VIP options available
🚴 4. 43rd Annual Gainesville Cycling Festival
📍 Starting Point: Boys & Girls Club, 2661 NW 51st St, Gainesville, FL
🗓 Saturday & Sunday, March 29–30 | Rides begin at 8:30 AM
Cyclists of all levels are welcome to join this beloved two-day event. Whether you're up for a relaxed scenic route or a century challenge, the Gainesville Cycling Festival delivers.
Saturday Rides:
- Santa Fe Century (100 miles)
- Gravel Challenge
Sunday Ride:
- Horse Farm Hundred – a stunning ride through Marion County’s horse country
All rides include well-stocked rest stops, SAG support, and meals for registered riders. Don’t forget your helmet and water bottle!
🌿 Planning a Special Event This Spring? Book a Gorgeous Gainesville Inn!
If you’re attending one of these events—or planning your own gathering—why not stay somewhere as charming as Gainesville itself? Whether it’s a family reunion, bridal shower, birthday weekend, or retreat, these two historic inns offer the perfect setting.
🏡 The Laurel Oak Inn – Southern Charm Meets Modern Elegance
Need a beautiful venue with vintage charm? The Laurel Oak Inn provides exclusive rental of the entire property—including 7 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms—ideal for events, celebrations, and weekend escapes.
Highlights:
- Wrap-around porch, dining room, living room, and large side yard
- ADA accessibility with one ADA-compliant room
- Control your own event costs—choose your own caterers and planners
- Full kitchen and common areas for entertaining
- 2-night minimum stay (Check-in at 4 PM, check-out at 11 AM)
🌸 The Camellia Rose Inn – Elegant Victorian Vibes in the Heart of Town
If you’re drawn to old-world charm and peaceful garden surroundings, The Camellia Rose Inn is a dream come true. This beautifully restored Victorian B&B offers stylish accommodations, intimate event space, and easy access to downtown Gainesville.
Perfect For:
- Intimate weddings, showers, and reunions
- Couples or group getaways
- Photography sessions and tea parties
- Just a relaxing retreat in a beautiful setting
Each inn brings its own unique personality—but both are rooted in Southern hospitality and timeless beauty.
Final Thoughts
This weekend in Gainesville is full of energy, flavor, and springtime spirit. Whether you’re browsing plant stalls, savoring strawberries, sipping craft beer, or hitting the trail on two wheels, you’ll find something to fall in love with. And if you need a place to gather, celebrate, or simply stay in style—The Laurel Oak Inn and The Camellia Rose Inn are here to make your event unforgettable.
🌼 Which event are you most excited about this weekend? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your adventures!
📍 #VisitGainesville #SpringInGNV #SupportLocal #ExploreFlorida
Looking for a place to stay while visiting the local Gainesville attractions? Look no further than Gainesville's locally owned vacation rental company, StayGainesville. Book directly on our site, or call us at 352-519-3994 for guidance. For homes and condos, StayGainesville has many options- large and small/ budget and luxury, and more. For a shorter stay, we have 2 beautiful historic Inns in downtown Gainesville. The Camellia Rose Inn and The Laurel Oak Inn- both have unique personalities and they both feel like a home away from home. Looking for more things to do in Gainesville? Visit our Things to Do link.
