Key Takeaways
- The city is celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with a tea party featuring guest author Lauren Groff and Jane Austen-themed trivia and refreshments.
- The Gainesville Folk Festival will take place on January 10-11, featuring live music, dance classes, and workshops.
- The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 100 Year Tour to Gainesville on January 12, combining high-level basketball with entertainment.
- Afrofuturism Week will be celebrated from January 22-31, featuring a lecture, concert, and fashion show.
- The Dance Alive National Ballet will present "Swan Lake" on January 31, with additional performances scheduled in other cities.
Introduction to Upcoming Events
The city is gearing up for a exciting week of events, starting with a special tea party celebrating the 250th birthday of Jane Austen. The event will take place on January 9 at The Lynx Books and will feature guest author Lauren Groff in conversation about Austen’s work, including her introduction to a new edition of "Mansfield Park." Attendees can enjoy Jane Austen-themed trivia, scones, and Harney and Sons’ limited-edition Pemberley Grey tea. Period-inspired attire is encouraged, and RSVP is required.
Gainesville Folk Festival
The Gainesville Folk Festival will take place on January 10-11 at Heartwood Soundstage, featuring live folk, old-time Americana, and roots music alongside participatory dance classes, jam sessions, and workshops. The two-day celebration will bring together a variety of artists, including Andrea Von Kampen, Mariee Siou, and Wild Shiners, as well as kids’ showcases, clogging, and contra dance classes. Children 12 and younger are admitted free, and lawn chairs are welcome, space permitting. Tickets range from $30 in advance to $35 the day of the show, with discounted student, group, and supporter options available.
Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour
The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 100 Year Tour to Gainesville on January 12 at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The tour marks a century of the team’s global influence on the sport, combining high-level basketball with signature ball-handling, athleticism, and fan interaction. The Globetrotters’ performance will highlight both their history and their continuing role in shaping the game. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased online.
Afrofuturism Week
Afrofuturism Week will be celebrated from January 22-31, featuring a variety of events, including a lecture, concert, and fashion show. The week will kick off with a family-friendly celebration and introduction to Afrofuturism on January 24, followed by an afterparty with experimental music at The How Bazar. The week will also include a sci-fi and fantasy book club meeting, a lecture on Afrofuture spirituality, and a book party discussing "Technoskepticism: Between Possibility and Refusal." The week will conclude with a final celebration, fashion show, and costume contest on January 31.
Dance Alive National Ballet
The Dance Alive National Ballet will present "Swan Lake" on January 31 at the Phillips Center, with additional performances scheduled in other cities. The story of a prince whose fiancée has been transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, will be brought to life on stage, featuring DANB Principal Dancer Carla Amâncio as the Swan Queen. Tickets range from $35 to $70, with discounted rates for children, students, and seniors.
Ongoing and Upcoming Events
In addition to these events, the city will also host a variety of ongoing and upcoming events, including the Retirement Home for Horses, which provides lifetime care to elderly horses and allows visitors to tour the property and feed treats. Community Nights will take place every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at South Main Station and Heartwood Soundstage, featuring free live music, drink specials, and other activities. The city will also host the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts on April 11-12, 2026, in Cedar Key, featuring 100 artists and benefiting the Cedar Key Arts Center.