Events in Gainesville today

Undivided Waters 2026 is a morning of water fun and races at Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. Arrive for shirt pickup at 6:30 AM, get boards down to the water at 7:00 AM, then the paddle boarding race begins at 7:30 AM. The swimming race starts at 7:45 AM, followed by a children’s fun race at 9:00 AM. Awards ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM.

This Park Lecture offering, Ancestral Lineage Healing: A Path to Multigenerational and Cultural Repair, will be held at Grace Episcopal Church. Banta Whitner, MSW, an integrative psychotherapist, ritualist, circle keeper, and grandmother, leads a guided practice focused on cultivating relationships with wise and loving ancestors. Participants consider how this work can repair wounds carried across generations, shift inherited patterns, and foster healing for individuals and communities. The experience is open to those with extensive or limited knowledge of their family history, and it offers a welcoming route to greater belonging, purpose, and cultural restoration. Tiered admission of $10, $20, or $30 includes lunch.

Learn to streamline your sketchbook practice while capturing the grace of orchids in a welcoming workshop led by Beatriz Maliszewski. Explore how to reduce complex blooms into simple shapes, polish your line quality, and gain confidence with clean, expressive drawings. Practice both pencil sketches and watercolor studies to see how line and color work together to bring the subject to life. Personalized guidance is provided throughout. The fee is $65, and all supplies are included. Open to all levels, from beginners to experienced artists seeking a fresh approach.

Simplify Your Sketches is a beginner-friendly workshop focused on capturing the elegance of orchids in your drawings. It’s designed to help you learn practical sketching techniques in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.

Founded in 2009 as a signature project, this women’s tea and luncheon supports the For Her Glory Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps provide wigs and prosthetics to women with cancer who could not otherwise afford them. Over time, the gathering has grown in profile and attendance, becoming a sought-after community lunch and raising more than $100,000 for the cause. The occasion underscores an ongoing commitment to uplifting organizations that serve women and reflects a continued effort to make a positive difference in the community.

Jeep Night hosted by Mountain Top Jeepers and Taco Mac brings together Jeep owners and fans to connect, admire custom builds, and swap ideas for future upgrades. The Wellness Armory team will be featured, highlighting its mission to support first responders and veterans with mental health resources and opportunities to thrive in the community. The event includes food and beverages along with a 50/50 cash raffle and door prizes.

Catch metalcore and hardcore sounds with The Tarnished live at Blackstrap Rock Hall in Gainesville. Doors open with the show starting at 7:00 PM, with tickets available through Bandsintown and listed as on sale via Spotify’s ticketing partners.

A Mississippi-born comic with a big heart and a bigger mouth brings stand-up rooted in hard work, close friendships, and unfiltered honesty. The show leans into true-to-life stories and the same no-nonsense voice seen on social media, keeping it real and keeping the laughs coming. Expect sharp jokes, a little plainspoken wisdom, and a few tales best not repeated to grandma. Beyond the stage, he leads Triple B Outdoors to share a passion for hunting, fishing, and life outside. When not traveling, he is in the woods or on the water and focused on building his businesses. The aim is straightforward... tell the truth, entertain, and maybe inspire along the way.

Presented by Die Laughing, this weekly open mic at Blackstrap offers a chance to take the mic, try fresh material, and get the room laughing. Admission is free, the atmosphere is friendly, and the laughs keep coming every Sunday.

Monday Night Commander is a free, relaxed Commander meet-up where players can jump into pods and play games with friends, including both newcomers and experienced players. The event runs for the evening, starting at 6:00 PM, and you’ll just need an authentic Commander deck to join. Registration is required using a valid Wizards of the Coast account, and proxies or counterfeit cards are not allowed.

This exhibition presents a dozen folk sculptures by Alfred Glover, drawing on sights from his travels and recollections from his childhood. The works are built with materials suited for the outdoors, including wood and recycled aluminum sourced from fuel tanks. Animals mingle with vivid foliage, fruit, and bright flowers, all shaped into metal trees, trellises, and garden gates. The tree forms are alive with playful birds, fish, snakes, dogs, and other creatures, nestled among the sculpted branches.

Experience a welcoming poetry session focused on writing in response to artwork at the Quinlan, open to the public and suitable for all levels of writers and poets. Ekphrasis, a term rooted in Greek, refers to a vivid verbal portrayal of a visual artwork. Pieces created in this style might closely depict what is seen, share the writer’s mood, build metaphors inspired by the piece, or weave in personal memories shaped by the art. Participants can experiment with approaches such as describing observed details, imagining what lies beyond the edges of the scene, speaking in the artist’s voice, giving a character in the image something to say, or explaining their own reaction to the work. The Q continues to inspire artists, writers, readers, and poets, with gallery strolls revealing new nuances each time. Quinlan staff can provide chairs for anyone who wishes to write near the artworks. The Sculpture Garden offers a fresh-air setting, and taking a photograph of a piece to write at one’s own pace is also encouraged.

KHB will be at the Hall County Farmers Market collecting recyclables and sharing information about recycling in Hall County. Attendees can bring single use and rechargeable household batteries such as AA, AAA, and 9 volt, with the exception of large tool batteries. School supplies in good condition are welcome, including books, notebooks, markers, pencils, and pencil cases. Paper, plastic, and metal will be accepted for recycling. Food waste and vendor samples can be added to the worm composter, also known as a vermicomposter. This activity is part of KHB’s effort to support recycling at farmers markets throughout the summer.

Enjoy casual sand volleyball at Roper Park in a welcoming, low-pressure setting. Players of any experience level are encouraged to take part. Come with friends or on your own, then rotate into games as teams mix between rounds. Whether you want a competitive matchup or a laid-back rally, there is space on the sand for everyone.

An informal coffee gathering at the American Legion in Gainesville, GA brings Marines together for conversation and camaraderie. Share sea stories, reconnect with fellow service members, and spend time with others who have served. This recurring meetup generally runs as planned, with rare interruptions during extreme weather or holidays.

Engage young children with nature-inspired stories followed by hands-on sensory play. Storybook Time is held on the terrace attached to the Visitor Center, and a sensory bin station is available in the Children’s Garden before and after Storybook Time from 10:00 AM to noon. It’s designed for ages 1 to 4, runs rain or shine unless weather makes outdoor programming impractical, and admission is free with admission. Guests are admitted while spots are available.

Warhammer 40k Wednesdays is a weekly Wednesday night get-together for Warhammer 40,000 players at Meeple Madness. Games start at 5:00 PM, and you can bring your army for battles on dedicated Warhammer tables. New players are welcome too, with a friendly learn-to-play session available for anyone who wants help getting started.

This free, casual pick-up sand volleyball session at Roper Park welcomes players of any experience level. Teams rotate to keep games moving, making room for both competitive play and relaxed rallies on the sand. Participants may attend with friends or on their own.

The Rocket Man Show, a tribute to Elton John, comes to Gainesville for a two-night run at The Hall at Bourbon Brothers. It presents back-to-back evenings dedicated to his music.