Whatever your hobby or passion, from weaving to stargazing, from basket making to bread baking, from computer programming to duplicate bridge, you can do it here and find like-minded folks to enjoy it with you. The university's proximity and an open-minded attitude toward learning new things gives zest to community life. The Harn Museum of Art showcases the university's collection, student works and special traveling exhibitions. For a change of pace, consider a visit to the Gainesville Artisans' Guild Gallery. Whatever the venue or group, the Hippodrome State Theater, the Gainesville Community Theater, the Florida Players, the Players of Santa Fe, the Gainesville Community Play House, Dance Alive, Floridance Company, Danscompany of Gainesville, Dance Theatre of Santa Fe, Gainesville Ballet Theatre, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, the Gainesville Civic Chorus and the Gainesville Community Band all entertain and enlighten those who see them perform.
Special events occur on a weekly, almost daily, basis.
For the big-time calendar events, experience the Gatornationals every March, the Spring Arts Festival in April, Pioneer Days in High Springs during May, Newberry's Watermelon Festival in June. Summer is quiet, although not uneventful. There's a big mall in Gainesville. It's called Oaks Mall and is home to five anchor department stores and an additional 130 stores, specialty shops and restaurants. Also in Alachua County, Micanopy in the south and High Springs in the north are both famous all over the state as fun places to shop for antiques and collectibles.