Where to spend your weekend in Gainesville

With Spring Break a thing of the past and finals on the horizon, just six weeks remain until another semester comes to a close. Luckily for students and locals alike, there’s still plenty to do in Gainesville before we head home for the summer. In addition to the other events we’ve covered this week, here’s where to spend your weekend.

Sprang Break @ The Atlantic – March 23

Spring Break may be over, but Sprang Break is just beginning at The Atlantic. Hosted by Tonight’s The Night GNV, this tropical-themed event will bring Florida bands Pearl & The Oysters, Cabo Boing and DirtBike to perform at 9 p.m. Channeling breezy yet experimental sounds that don’t take themselves too seriously, each of these bands will bring their own flare to the show. Entry is $5.

TEDxUF @ Hippodrome State Theatre – March 24

In a move downtown, TEDxUF will be held at the Hippodrome on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The theme is expectations, and each speaker will explore how our expectations influence everything around us. For those that didn’t get tickets, there will be a live stream at Bryan Hall, located at 1384 Union Road. After the event concludes, head over to High Dive for the official after party from 8 p.m. to midnight where local performers will bring their talents to the venue. Tickets are $8 and available at HighDiveGville.com.

Spring Garden Festival @ Kanapaha Botanical Gardens – March 24 and 25

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens will host its Spring Garden Festival. The event features around 150 vendors “offering plants, landscape displays, garden accessories, arts and crafts, educational exhibits and, of course, foods,” according to the Facebook event page. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-13, with a $2 discount for Kanapaha members.

Sofar Sounds Gainesville – March Show @ Secret Location – March 27

Although not this weekend, this event is absolutely worth attending. Sofar Sounds, a new concept for Gainesville, will host its second show on March 27. With a secret lineup and location announced on the day of the show, those who want to attend can apply for a ticket lottery on sofarsounds.com/gainesville. If selected, attendees can purchase one or two tickets and will be informed of where to go that day. Once there, concertgoers experience performances from three artists in a no-phone, no-talking environment. Last month’s performers included talented locals flipturn, Sooza and Ricky Kendall. Make sure to sign up soon; the lottery closes five days before the event.