Visiting Gainesville & Northeast Florida

Visit north Florida this season, events from Florida Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at Jacksonville’s Florida Theatre; the excitement of the 2012 Gator Bowl at EverBank Field in Jacksonville; or a dynamic performance of Carmina Burana at Gainsville’s Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, it’s the ideal time to visit Florida’s northlands. Local sports enthusiasts enjoy the excitement of Jacksonville University sports at Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena, while EverBank Field hosts NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguar games through New Year's Day. Seen a Lacrosse game? Catch the NALL Jacksonville Bullies at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for a game of professional indoor Lacrosse.

Jacksonville’s 2012 New Year begins with the excitement of championship football at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The fun “kicks-off” at 1 pm January 12th at EverBank Field in downtown Jacksonville. The 2012 event is the 67th anniversary game, featuring a match-up between teams from the Southeastern Conference and BIG 10 Conference. Be sure to see the Hometown Gator Bowl Parade New Year's Eve through downtown Jacksonville, get some exercise at the VyStar5K run at Jacksonville Landing and join the fun at the Budweiser Tailgate Party on game day. Start the New Year off right at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville music fans take note – Winter Jam 2012 Tour Spectacular comes to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena mid-January. Join Christian music’s largest annual tour January 13th. Performers from Kari Jobe and Dara Maclean to Peter Furler and Sanctus Real, make Winter Jam one of the top attended concerts in the US.

Gainesville, Florida’s capital city, is always happening. Sport fans never lack for events, with University of Florida O’Connell Center hosting current season's volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball. Called the O’Dome, the center is just west of “the Swamp”, now wrapping up the Gators 2011 regular football season. Enjoy Gator gymnastics and indoor track in spring at the O’Dome.

Gainesville hosts the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in March. Gainesville Raceway is the place to be March 8th through the 12th for 2012 Gatornational events. NHRA Gainesville Raceway is north of Gainesville and Gainesville Regional Airport off County Road 225 – Catch the excitement of Hot Rod racing in North Florida.

Starke, located between Gainesville and Jacksonville in Bradford County, may have the “Sweetest Strawberries this side of heaven”, and celebrates the fact each April. Nestled among the lakes and wildlife of North Florida, Starke is one of many quaint Florida small towns. Home of Camp Blanding – Starke is proud to serve the Florida National Guard members and families that pass through Camp Blanding. From Starke’s hometown Christmas on the Square beginning December 3rd with the 2011 “An Old Fashioned Christmas” theme parade, to monthly Friday Cruizin auto shows and April's Strawberry Festival, Starke makes a wonderful getaway.

Gainesville & Northeast Florida Hotel Map