Events in Columbia County, FL

Enjoy free, live team trivia featuring general knowledge questions for players of all ages. Play with friends, coworkers, or family, or meet others and join a team. Compete for $100 in prizes each week and put your knowledge to the test.

A multi-day celebration of Tom Petty’s music unfolds at Heartwood with performances on both indoor and outdoor stages and a welcoming community vibe. The weekend begins with a Diamond & Gold VIP only pre-festival dinner featuring special performances, then opens to general admission with a kick-off concert on the outdoor stage, followed by two full festival days across both stages. The lineup includes Stan Lynch & The Speaker Wars, White Denim, Jake Thistle Band, Joe Crookston, Asydequest, Nancy Luca Band, Have Gun, Will Travel, Spencer Thomas, Mike Boulware and the Gaines Villains with a Byrds tribute, Kristopher James, Nolia Joy & The Ramblers, PK Yonge Band, The Shambles, Keith Eveland, Barry Sides, Couch Messiahs, Bohemian Sunshine, Driving November, Shiloh, Rob Peck & The Matanzas AllStars, and Thomas Allain, with MC Gregg Jones and additional artists to be announced. What began as a local tribute at Heartwood Soundstage grew into a tradition that draws thousands of fans from around the world to share in the camaraderie and the songs that defined the Heartbreakers and Tom’s enduring legacy. All ages are welcome, kids 18 and under are free, and lawn chairs are permitted as space allows. Funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.

The third annual Children’s Miracle Network Dash & Bash supports pediatric trauma services at UF Health with a campus 5K at the University of Florida that passes UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and is followed by a post-race bash. Partners and community members will cheer along the route at dedicated sections to keep spirits high. The bash features entertainment, hands-on activities, and participation from community safety partners. In collaboration with the Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach team, the celebration also highlights National Trauma Awareness Month. The day includes on-site registration, pre-race remarks, the 5K start, an awards ceremony, raffle announcements, and a wrap-up for the bash.

The City of Lake City hosts the Growers and Makers Market on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. This community-focused market offers a welcoming place to shop directly from local growers and makers. Visitors can explore handmade arts and crafts, find farm fresh goods, and enjoy a variety of options from food trucks.

Enjoy a friendly, competitive morning of adult mixed doubles tennis at Youngs Park Tennis Courts. Players of all skill levels are welcome, and there is no cost to play. Come meet new tennis partners, improve your game, and get matched with a partner if you don’t have one.

Create a custom candle by pouring soy wax into a one-of-a-kind vintage glass vessel and choosing a fragrance. Decorate it with real crystals, dried botanical herbs, and charming accents for a personal touch. The class costs $25, and spaces are limited because each vessel is unique.

Enjoy an evening of good, clean comedy with KILLER BEAZ. A special dinner is available before the show, featuring shrimp scampi with garlic butter sauce over rice, Caesar salad, a roll, and dessert for $15 per person. Dinner and the comedy show are open to the public, and dinner tickets are limited.

This gathering centers on the joy of giving through collaborative quilting. Participants work together to create beautiful quilt tops, and no experience is required. Every stitch, every helping hand, and every moment of time makes a meaningful difference. The purpose is to stitch love, honor, and healing... one quilt at a time.

Warm up your swing for a lively morning that includes activities and chances to win prizes. Expect a friendly atmosphere that gets the day started on a fun note. All proceeds will support scholarship awards.

Enjoy a relaxed, 420-friendly painting session with opportunities to create and connect in good company. All painting supplies are included, and artists of any experience level are welcome.

Florida Gators Football takes on the Vanderbilt Commodores at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Stadium gates open an hour and a half before kickoff. Express Entry registration is available for attendees. Tickets will be delivered on a scheduled release date, and they will not be available to view or manage until they are issued.

Bring two friends and tee off for a meaningful cause at this golf tournament. Teams are made up of three players, the cost is 75 dollars per person, and lunch is included. It is planned as a fun day on the course with a purpose that goes beyond the game. Player signups, team entries, and sponsorships are being accepted.

Farm Share, a Florida nonprofit food bank dedicated to feeding communities and preventing food waste, is hosting a free food distribution at Lake City Police Department - Lcflapd. Everyone is welcome, with no income or household size requirements. Distribution is first come, first served and continues until supplies run out.

Enjoy some pre-Christmas fun at this event. Admission is one new unwrapped toy per family, and the public is welcome and encouraged to visit to see Santa.

The City of Gainesville presents an outdoor movie night at Bo Diddley Plaza featuring a screening of Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille. This free, open-to-all gathering offers a relaxed evening watching a film under the stars. The story follows Remy, a rat with big dreams of becoming a chef, who heads to Paris and secretly teams up with the inexperienced kitchen worker Linguini to cook in a bustling restaurant while staying out of sight. Their unusual collaboration sparks plenty of laughs and builds to a chance to impress a formidable food critic.

Satchel's Pizza hosts live music from Old Souls, with Jenu Six and Chantal Lynn bringing dive bar sounds rooted in the Appalachian Mountains. Their performance draws on a shared love of country and life on the road, shaping haunted tales and many hard won miles into song. Made for sinners and honky tonk angels who crave something genuine.

Experience a bustling marketplace that celebrates the creativity and flavors of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The event features more than 150 vendors across multiple buildings, with a new building added for 2026, showcasing artisanal pottery, woodworking, glasswork, textiles, home decor, jewelry, and other locally made pieces. Enjoy live music and tented outdoor spaces, plus food trucks on both days offering baked treats, fudge, nuts, specialty foods, beverages, and local wines. Admission includes a bracelet valid for the entire weekend. Cash is recommended for easier purchases, and only service dogs are permitted inside the buildings.

A three-day dirt road bikepacking tour traces the Suwannee River Valley and centers on the Dead River Sink, with scenery that includes springs and long stretches of unpaved roads. Now in its fourth year, the ride is guided by Graham Partain and heads to a new camp in the Jennings Bluff tract, where participants can explore the Dead River Sink, a rare place where the Alapaha River slips underground and returns miles downstream in two separate outlets. A highlight of the route is visiting the spots where the river disappears and reemerges. The second night is based at Camp Suwannee, with the option to camp or stay in the communal bunkhouse. Both overnight locations provide hot showers, potable water, and electricity, and each rider receives a commemorative patch. Daily mileage is planned at approximately 60 miles on day one, 68 miles on day two, and 60 miles on day three. Tires 50 mm wide or larger are strongly recommended for the mixed-surface terrain. A short video is available for a preview of the experience, and yurts can be arranged at the first-night camp by contacting the organizer for pricing.

Whiskey Outlaws brings a live band performance to Halpatter Brewing Company.

A pet vaccine clinic will operate in the parking area at Pine Grove Apartments, a senior housing complex. Services are open to senior and military pet owners, as well as those facing financial limitations, with verification requested through a photo ID and, when applicable, documentation from programs such as SSI, SSDI, or Food Stamps. Vaccines are offered for $22 and nail trims for $15. Additional options include exams, microchipping, heartworm testing, and flea and heartworm prevention.

Celebrate the season at a lively kids dance party featuring DJ E-Lo spinning upbeat tunes for dancing and sing-alongs. There is no admission fee and all are welcome. Food trucks will be on site with snacks and meals available for purchase.

Celebrate the holiday season with a spirited party built around classic rock and blues. Festive energy and good cheer set the tone for a fun, music-filled gathering.

This seated show spotlights violinist and songwriter Philip Bowen, bringing together folk, Americana, and indie rock with striking violin work for a sound that feels both classic and fresh. Recognized for high-energy performances and heartfelt writing, he has earned a dedicated following through a boundary-pushing style. Jordan Foley sets the tone with thoughtful, reflective songs delivered with a gentle touch, a natural fit for an intimate, attentive room.

Come together to create quilt tops in a welcoming sewing class. No expert skills are needed, and every stitch, helping hand, and moment of time contributes to making quilts that share love, honor, and healing.

Celebrate the holiday season at the sixth annual Christmas at the Cottage. Guests are welcome to stop by briefly or stay for the evening, and friends and family are welcome. Attendees can enter drawings for free services and products by signing the guest book and including a phone number. Light refreshments and sweets will be provided. Donations are being collected through the local American Legion to support the nation’s heroes. Requested items include personal hygiene and grooming products, men’s clothing and shoes, and non-perishable food. Donations can be brought to the gathering or provided beforehand.

Hosted by First Horizon Christian Academy, this golf classic brings players together for a day on the course in support of the school and the children it serves. The tournament uses a three person scramble format with a shotgun start. Entry is $80 per player, hole sponsorships are $75, and event sponsorships are $250. Lunch is included. Teams and sponsors are welcome, and all participation helps fund opportunities for students. For registration and details, contact Jill Hardin at (386) 965-0313. The event will be held at Quail Heights Golf & Country Club in Lake City.

An annual holiday market brings the spirit of the season to life with local vendors offering handcrafted gifts, festive décor, and delicious treats. Browse to the sound of live music and enjoy plenty of food as you search for that just right present. Families are welcome to explore together, with a warm community vibe and plenty of one of a kind finds.

Caribbean Street Fest transforms Oaks Mall Gainesville into a lively celebration of island culture, filling the space with vibrant music, bold flavors, and spirited performances. The air carries the scent of jerk smoke while plates feature jerk chicken, curry goat, festival, plantains, and chilled island drinks, all moving to the rhythms of reggae, soca, calypso, and live drum circles. Fire dancers light up the scene and limbo lines invite playful competition. Vendors offer a wide range of finds, including handmade crafts, island spices, art, candles, jewelry, sea moss, herbs, sweet treats, and boutique treasures. Admission is free. An RSVP on the event page enters a drawing for a $25 gift card to spend at the fest. Vendor opportunities are available for food trucks, dessert makers, candle and jewelry creators, boutiques, sea moss and herb sellers, and other handmade goods.

Downtown's Veterans Park hosts Last Call Holiday Haul, an evening made to spark the holiday spirit. Browse a variety of vendors for those last-minute gifts, try fun games, enjoy cheerful seasonal music, and grab a bite from tasty food trucks. With activities suited for all ages, it brings a bright Christmas atmosphere to the heart of downtown.

Everyone is welcome to attend and show support for Voices for Children with a bit of pre-Christmas fun. Bring the kids to see Santa. Admission is one new, unwrapped toy.