Gainesville's Cultural Calendar: A Month of Arts, Music, and History

Gainesville and Alachua County have a packed schedule for January 2026, offering a mix of literary events, historical lectures, music festivals, and theatrical performances. The month kicks off with a celebration of Jane Austen's 250th birthday at The Lynx Books, featuring guest author Lauren Groff discussing Austen's work. This free event includes trivia, scones, and a special tea, with attendees encouraged to dress in period-inspired attire. For those interested in history, the "Other Book, Part 2" lecture series at the Matheson History Museum explores the contributions of Black Americans often overlooked in traditional narratives. This free event requires registration and is a must for history buffs. Music lovers will enjoy the inaugural Gainesville Folk Festival at Heartwood Soundstage, featuring a variety of folk, Americana, and roots music, along with dance classes and workshops. The two-day festival includes performances by Andrea Von Kampen, Mariee Siou, and many others, with discounted tickets available for students and groups. Poetry enthusiasts can attend "Marjorie and Me: Some Poems and a Tribute" at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, where award-winning poet Lola Haskins will present poems inspired by Rawlings' beloved places. The event is followed by the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm's annual meeting. Writers can learn about incorporating trauma into their work at a discussion led by Kathy Connor Dobronyi at the Millhopper Library. This free program explores the levels of trauma, healing, and craft in writing. Sports fans can catch the Harlem Globetrotters' 100 Year Tour at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, combining high-level basketball with entertainment. The Globetrotters' performance highlights their history and continuing influence on the sport.Jonatha Brooke will perform at Heartwood Soundstage, showcasing her literate and emotionally rich songwriting that blends folk-pop with theatrical and classical influences. Her credits include collaborations with Katy Perry and Woody Guthrie. For ongoing events, visitors can tour the Retirement Home for Horses and feed treats to the rescued horses every Saturday. The Community Nights at South Main Station offer free live music, drink specials, and a variety of activities each Wednesday. Looking ahead, the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre will present "The Drowning Girls, " a darkly poetic true-crime drama based on Edwardian-era murders. The Dance Alive National Ballet will perform "Ocean Voyage – Immersive Concert III, " plunging audiences into the depths of the sea with underwater visuals and music. The Gainesville Community Playhouse will stage "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, " a darkly comic adaptation of Ken Kesey’s iconic novel. The Hippodrome Theatre will present "Some Enchanted Evening, The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, " featuring hits from the golden age of Broadway. Afrofuturism Week will include a variety of events, such as a kick-off party, a concert and cipher, a book club meeting, and a fashion show. The week aims to explore the possibilities and skepticism of new technologies in the context of Afrofuturism. Finally, the Dance Alive National Ballet will present "Swan Lake" at the Phillips Center, featuring DANB Principal Dancer Carla Amâncio as the Swan Queen. The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts will take place in April, featuring 100 artists and benefiting local nonprofit organizations.