The Fest 2026 in Gainesville: Oct. 23-25, passes, venues

The Fest 24 brings more than 300 bands to downtown Gainesville Oct. 23-25, 2026. Online pass sales end Oct. 18; the kickoff show is Oct. 22.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. Facts come from the organizer’s site, thefestfl.com, and its ticket, registration and FAQ pages, linked below. This page is updated for each year’s Fest at the same address.

The Fest 24 fills downtown Gainesville with more than 300 bands from Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Shows run in more than a dozen clubs, bars and outdoor stages within walking distance of each other, from Bo Diddley Plaza to First Magnitude Brewing. The band list includes Bouncing Souls, PUP and Lagwagon. A ticketed kickoff show opens the weekend Thursday, Oct. 22, at Bo Diddley Plaza.

Updated Oct. 14: online pass sales stop Sunday, Oct. 18, the organizer says; the lineup now tops 300 bands; kickoff show added.

Know before you go

When: Oct. 23-25, 2026; kickoff show Thursday, Oct. 22

Buy online by: Sunday, Oct. 18, when online pass sales stop

Where: downtown Gainesville; Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave., is the largest venue

Passes: three-day only; buy a Fest 24 pass

Registration: noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at First Magnitude Brewing Company

Pass questions: See Tickets customer service, 855-976-2544 or help@seetickets.us

Passes and prices

The Fest sells a three-day pass that gets you into every show at the official venues, according to its ticket information page. It does not sell single-day tickets.

Sale period	Price per pass
April 24 to May 31	$220
June 1 to July 16	$250
July 17 to Oct. 18 (online sales stop)	$300
Walk-up sales on Fest weekend, if not sold out	$330

Prices do not include service fees and taxes. A limited number of single-show tickets, capped at 10% of a venue’s capacity, go on sale at select venues once the schedule is out; holders skip registration and are on the will call list at the venue door. There are no refunds on passes or single-show tickets, the organizer says. The charge shows up on bank statements as Bender Biz Inc., not “The Fest.”

Kickoff show. The organizer’s home page lists an official kickoff show Thursday, Oct. 22, at Bo Diddley Plaza, sold as a separate ticket. Early blind tickets were $25 plus fees, rising to $40 plus fees once the bands were announced July 1. Kickoff tickets are separate from the three-day pass.

Registration: pick up your wristband

Every three-day pass holder must check in at registration for a wristband, guidebook and goodies, according to the registration page:

Friday, Oct. 23, noon to 7 p.m.: full registration and flea market at First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch St.
Saturday, Oct. 24, noon to 2 p.m.: late registration and customer service at the Bo Diddley Plaza front gates, 111 E. University Ave. Miss Friday and you miss Friday night’s shows.
Bring a photo ID or passport and your order confirmation number.
Can’t make it? A friend can pick up your pass if you change the name on it through See Tickets by Sunday, Oct. 18.

Everyone needs a valid ID with a birthdate to get into any venue. College IDs are not accepted, and visitors from abroad should carry a passport.

Venues and age limits

All venues are a short walk apart downtown, the organizer says. Ages as listed in the Fest FAQ:

All ages: Boxcar at Depot Park (registration area), 201 SE Depot Ave.; Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave.; Heartwood, 619 S. Main St.; The Backyard at Boca Fiesta, 232 SE First St.; the Hippodrome, 25 SE Second Place; The Bull (outside), 18 SW First Ave.; Bazaar 47, 60 SW Second St.; First Magnitude Brewery, 1220 SE Veitch St.
18 and over: Palomino, 19 SE Second Place; Vivid Music Hall, 201 W. University Ave.; Loosey’s, 120 SW First Ave.; The Wooly, 20 N. Main St.; Depot Village, 404 SE Second St.; The University Club, 18 E. University Ave.
21 and over: The Atlantic, 19 W. University Ave. Baby J’s, 7 W. University Ave., is 21 and over Saturday night and all ages Sunday.

Free shows. The shows at The Bull and First Magnitude Brewery are free to the community, outdoors and all ages. Children 5 and younger get into Bo Diddley Plaza and Heartwood without a ticket when they are with a parent or guardian who has a pass.

What to bring and what to leave home

Allowed: empty water bottles, bags no bigger than 15 by 15 by 6 inches (all bags are searched), baby strollers, sunscreen, bug spray, small hand sanitizer and medications in your name.
Not allowed: chairs, blankets, animals other than service animals, outside food or alcohol, coolers, bikes, skateboards and skates, professional cameras and selfie sticks, laptops and tablets, musical instruments and weapons.
Drinking: 21 and over at the venues. The organizer points to the city’s sip and stroll map for drinking while walking in the Downtown Entertainment District.
Accessibility: venues are ADA compliant, but many are small and on one level, so views can be blocked. Bo Diddley Plaza has a raised viewing area. Bring your own wheelchair or walker.

Parking and getting there

The organizer has not published road closures or a parking plan for 2026. Downtown garages, lots and rates are on the city’s downtown parking page. Gainesville Regional Airport is a short cab ride from downtown, and the Greyhound station is within walking distance of downtown, the organizer says. Official Fest hotels are on the Fest hotels page.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Fest 2026 in Gainesville? The Fest 24 is Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at venues across downtown Gainesville.

How much is a Fest pass? Three-day passes are $300 online until sales stop Sunday, Oct. 18, and $330 at walk-up sales that weekend if they have not sold out, before service fees and taxes.

Can I buy a one-day ticket to The Fest? No. The Fest sells three-day passes only, plus a limited number of single-show tickets at select venues once the schedule is out.

Where do I pick up my Fest wristband? At registration, First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch St., from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, or at the Bo Diddley Plaza front gates from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Is The Fest all ages? Some venues are. Bo Diddley Plaza, Heartwood, the Hippodrome and Bazaar 47 are all ages; Palomino, Vivid Music Hall, Loosey’s, The Wooly and others are 18 and over, and The Atlantic is 21 and over.

What this means for you

Live or work downtown? Expect three busy days and nights around University Avenue, Main Street and Depot Park from Friday, Oct. 23.
No pass? The outdoor shows at The Bull and First Magnitude are free and all ages.
More October plans are in things to do in Gainesville this month.