THE FEST is an independent multiple-day, multiple-venue underground music festival held annually in Gainesville, FL with support from the fine folks from VISIT GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA COUNTY. Established in 2002 with only 60 bands, four stages, and two days, THE FEST has experienced a massive growth rate, now finding the festival outgrowing the amazing city it was birthed in. In 2013, THE FEST celebrated 12 years and expanded to four days in Gainesville, FL and added two days for the first annual BIG PRE-FEST IN LITTLE YBOR in the historic Ybor City, FL (TAMPA). FEST 12 hosted 400 bands in four days while BIG PRE-FEST gave 100 of those bands and close to 1,000 attendees another two days to enjoy the party in a new city.

THE FEST 18 in 2019 hosted 319 musical acts, 29 comedians, and 50 professional wrestlers over three days at 18 venues in the heart of Gainesville, FL. The main stage was once again Bo Diddley Plaza and hosted bands such as Against Me!, Jawbreaker, Less Than Jake, JAWBOX, The Bronx and Stiff Little Fingers. 

Once again, adding Bo Diddley Plaza enabled FEST to step up production levels as well as enabled attendees to avoid lines and enjoy headliners in an amazing new atmosphere run solely in every way by FEST STAFF and FEST VOLUNTEERS.

At its most packed, our outside venue enabled 4,000 people to watch a band together.

TICKETS: https://thefestfl.limitedrun.com/tickets/