UF graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Gainesville

7 to 8 May 2027 · ExpectedGainesville, United States

University of Florida Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Gainesville for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Gainesville Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the O'Connell Center

Gainesville (GNV) has flights to Atlanta and Charlotte; Orlando and Jacksonville are 2 hours.

Campus parking and RTS buses.

Public transport directions to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the O'Connell Center

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Archer Road chains	Near campus.
Mid-range	Midtown	Near the stadium.
Splurge	Hilton UF Conference Center	On campus.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn and Suites Gainesville-Downtown
Mid-range: Hyatt Place Gainesville Downtown
Splurge: Hilton University of Florida Conference Center

Links search the nights from 6 May to 9 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for 7 to 8 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 6 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeLake Alice alligators.
EatThe Top Downtown

Ceremony day

Friday 7 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatSatchel's Pizza Quirky pizza garden
Easy outingGinnie Springs or Ichetucknee tubing Half day · Family
Float clear spring rivers.

The day after

Sunday 9 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayPaynes Prairie wildlife walk Half day · Family
Bison, wild horses and alligators.
EatThe Top Downtown

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickSt Augustine day trip Full day
1.5 hours east.
Rain or heat backupHarn Museum of Art (free).

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Ginnie Springs or Ichetucknee tubing

Float clear spring rivers.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Paynes Prairie wildlife walk

Bison, wild horses and alligators.

See times and prices

Florida Museum of Natural History butterfly rainforest.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day

St Augustine day trip

1.5 hours east.

See times and prices

After dark

Midtown bars.

3 tours worth booking for UF

Tour	Length	Good for
St Augustine day trip	Full day	Everyone
Ginnie Springs or Ichetucknee tubing	Half day	Families
Paynes Prairie wildlife walk	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

The Top Downtown
Satchel's Pizza Quirky pizza garden

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Harn Museum of Art (free).

Getting around on event days

RTS buses; a car for the springs. Hotels for commencement weekend often sell out a year ahead and require two- or three-night minimums. Book as soon as the date is posted.

Day trips from Gainesville

Ichetucknee Springs: 45 minutes
St Augustine: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for UF.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Florida Commencement 2027?

The next edition is 7 to 8 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the O'Connell Center?

Gainesville (GNV) has flights to Atlanta and Charlotte; Orlando and Jacksonville are 2 hours. Campus parking and RTS buses.

Where should I stay for University of Florida Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Midtown: Near the stadium.

What else can we do around University of Florida Commencement?

Good short outings in Gainesville include Ginnie Springs or Ichetucknee tubing, Paynes Prairie wildlife walk. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near University of Florida Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Ginnie Springs or Ichetucknee tubing, Paynes Prairie wildlife walk. Florida Museum of Natural History butterfly rainforest.

How far is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the O'Connell Center from Gainesville centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Campus parking and RTS buses.

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