FAQ
- THE FEST – GENERAL INFORMATION
- COVID, REFUNDS, AND MORE
- NAVIGATING GAINESVILLE
- HOTELS & TRAVEL
- CAN I PLAY FEST?
- SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- GETTING INVOLVED
Where do I pick up my FEST pass?
Check out the REGISTRATION page for location/dates/hours. There will not be any other opportunities to get your pass.
Which FEST venues are all ages?
HERE IS A LIST OF VENUES AND THEIR AGE RESTRICTIONS.
- BOXCAR/ DEPOT PARK (FEST REGISTRATION): ALL AGES- 201 SE Depot Ave
- BO DIDDLEY PLAZA: ALL AGES (OUTSIDE) – 111 E University Ave
- HEARTWOOD: ALL AGES (OUTSIDE)- 619 S Main St
- THE BACKYARD @ BOCA FIESTA: ALL AGES (OUTSIDE)- 232 SE 1st St
- PALOMINO: 18+ – 19 SE 2nd Pl
- VIVID MUSIC HALL: 18+ – 201 W. UNV AVE.
- LOOSEY’S: 18+ – 120 SW 1st Ave
- THE WOOLY: 18+ 20 N Main St
- VECINOS: 18+ 208 W University Ave
- HIPPODROME: ALL AGES- 25 SE 2nd Pl
- THE BULL: ALL AGES (OUTSIDE) – 18 SW 1st Ave
- HOW BAZAR: ALL AGES- 60 SW 2nd St
- THE UNIVERSITY CLUB/ UC: 18+ 18 E University Ave
- THE ATLANTIC: 21+ – 19 W University Ave
- CIVIC MEDIA CENTER: ALL AGES 433 S Main St
- BABY J’S: SATURDAY NIGHT IS 21+ / SUNDAY IS ALL AGES – 7 W University Ave
- FIRST MAGNITUDE BREWERY: ALL AGES
*Please contact the venues to see what their policy is on letting minors into venues when accompanied by parent or legal guardian.*
All of the venues are within walking distance of each other. These are all walking blocks. Gainesville has a very small downtown.
We advise you look up the addresses below and look at the most accessible routes to and from each venue.
What should I bring?
EVERYONE ATTENDING FEST MUST HAVE A VALID ID WITH BIRTHDATE TO GET INTO ANY OF THE VENUES. NO EXCEPTIONS! IF YOU ARE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, PLEASE BRING YOUR PASSPORT TO EACH VENUE.
OTHER COUNTRIES’ DRIVER’S LICENSES WILL NOT WORK AT THE VENUES.
If you don’t have a driver’s license, then you must have a legal ID or Passport. College IDs will not work. This is not the ’70s.
WHAT IS ALLOWED / NOT ALLOWED IN ALL FEST VENUES?
NO
- Chairs
- Blankets
- Bags LARGER than 15 inches x 15 inches x 6 inches. ALL BAGS SUBJECT TO SEARCH.
- Animals (except service animals to aid guests with disabilities)
- Outside Alcohol
- Outside Food
- Illegal or Un-prescribed Drugs
- Weapons of Any Kind (e.g. guns, knives, sticks fireworks, mace and/or pepper spray)
- Professional Cameras / Video Cameras (detachable lenses, tripods, boom / selfie sticks )
- Bikes
- Skateboards, Skates or Rollerblades
- Electronic Equipment… including laptop computers, iPads, audio recorders
- Musical Instruments (WE HAVE BANDS PLAYING. LEAVE YOUR JAMS AT HOME)
- Gifts for the Band
- Coolers of Any Kind (including small soft pack coolers)
- Personal Property that is a potential hazard to others (e.g. chains, wallet chains or spiked jewelry)
YES
- Empty Water Bottles
- Bags 15 inches x 15 inches x 6 inches or smaller. ALL BAGS SUBJECT TO SEARCH.
- Baby Strollers
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Hand sanitizer (8oz or less)
- Sanitary wipes
- Medications in your name. Will have to show ID to prove they are yours.
Can I buy a FEST PASS for just one day?
Nope. However, some showcases will have an individual ticket price that allows you to just pay to attend that show only instead of having to buy a three day pass to FEST. These tickets will be limited to 10% of the capacity of the venue and can be purchased in advance. These will be available for purchase when we announce the FEST 23 schedule. Please check the TICKETS page for more details and follow FEST on all social media accounts for updates and announcements.
What is the age cutoff to purchase a ticket for children?
All children age 5 and younger are allowed inside Bo Diddley Plaza and Heartwood without having to purchase a ticket and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has purchased a ticket or FEST 23 three day pass.
The Bull and First Magnitude Brewery shows are FREE to the community. They are outside and all ages.
How do I change the name on my pass?
Contact See Tickets Customer Service (NOT FEST Customer Service) to change the name on your pass.
Email: help@seetickets.us – Phone: 855-976-2544
Hours: Phones 8am-12pm (PT), Chat 1pm-5pm (PT)
You MUST email to change the name on your pass by TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST. We will not be able to process name changes after that date.
If you miss registration check in, you will NOT be able to pick up your info or wristbands at the venues.
The FEST is not responsible for anyone who buys a 3rd party ticket. Please use your best judgment when buying tickets to avoid scammers.
If you don’t have a friend that can pick up your pass on Friday, then come to Registration Lite! Reg Lite will take place on Saturday October 25th at Bo Diddley Plaza front gates from 12pm (noon)-2pm (Time subject to change). Wristbands will be available for pick up during these times ONLY! You will not be able to attend Friday’s shows if you don’t pick up your wristband during Registration on Friday.
What is the COVID protocol at FEST?
*We reserve the right to update these requirements between now and the event*
FEST is NOT requiring proof of vaccination or requiring that you wear a mask during FEST 23 (2025).
We DO highly recommend that you do NOT ATTEND any large gathering indoors or outdoors without being vaccinated and boosted. We also recommend that you further protect yourself and others by wearing a well fitted mask inside venues and while in line. We also suggest that you stay home if you are running a fever or show symptoms of COVID or any other illness.
GET THE TEST BEFORE YOU FEST. We strongly encourage everyone, including those who are vaccinated to check their covid status before attending FEST. For a list of FREE community-based testing sites near you, check the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- Please follow the CDC isolation guidelines if you have been exposed or have tested positive for Covid-19.
Other COVID-19 Safety Protocols at FEST 23
FEST will follow all CDC and local guidelines for the fall of 2025. We are also requiring all FEST venues to put out additional sanitation for attendees and make sure bathrooms are cleaned and restocked regularly as well as high touch areas.
At the event we encourage all attendees to:
- Wear a mask at all times if you are unvaccinated
- If you are unvaccinated or at high risk for severe COVID-19, avoid crowded areas of the festival and stay at least 6 feet away from other groups
- Avoid physical contact with people outside of your party
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or with hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
- Limit consumption of substances. Consuming alcohol or substances may make you less likely to follow COVID-19 safety measures
- Please follow the CDC isolation guidelines if you have been exposed or have tested positive for Covid-19
After the event:
- Remember that shows outside of the festival may have different COVID-19 protocols
- Outdoor music events are safer than indoor events
- Outdoor dining options are safer than indoor dining options
- If you are attending an indoor event and are unvaccinated, wear a mask and maintain 6-foot distance from other parties at all times.
When you get home:
- Stay home and get tested if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated
*We reserve the right to update these requirements between now and the event.*
What is the refund policy for passes I have for FEST?
**FEST 23 PASS REFUND POLICY**
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON FOR ALL FEST 23 3-DAY PASSES AND INDIVIDUAL SHOW TICKETS.
If we have to cancel FEST 23 (2025) for any reason then we will give you the options to either get a refund (minus processing fees & GRACE MARKETPLACE donation) OR to carry your pass over for any new postponed dates we set.
Due to a recent change from our credit card processing company- ALL refunds will be processed and returned to the original payment method minus 3.5% credit card processing fee for domestic orders and a 5% credit card processing fee for international orders. We will not be able to refund the ticket fee from See Tickets or the donation to GRACE MARKETPLACE ($1/ticket).
**Bender Biz Inc. takes no responsibility for anyone not being admitted or rejected by any venues at the FEST 23.
***YOUR PURCHASE WILL SHOW UP AS BENDER BIZ, INC ON YOUR BANK/CREDIT CARD STATEMENT…IT WILL NOT SAY “THE FEST”.
Contact See Tickets Customer Service to change the name on your pass.
Email: help@seetickets.us – Phone: 855-976-2544
Hours: Phones 8am-12pm (PT), Chat 1pm-5pm (PT)
If you miss registration check in, you will NOT be able to pick up your info or wristbands at the venues.
The FEST is not responsible for anyone who buys a 3rd party ticket. Please use your best judgment when buying tickets to avoid scammers.
Hotel Room Cancellations Policy: Please see the hotel website you purchased your room from for their refund policies.
Are FEST venues handicap accessible?
All the venues in Gainesville are ADA compliant, however many are small capacity and one level, so viewing may be obstructed. Bo Diddley Plaza is our largest venue and does have a raised up area for better viewing. FEST does not provide wheelchairs or walkers so please bring what you need. For more specific information please contact each venue to get a better understanding of their layout.
What are the drinking laws?
21 and up can drink at the venues.
Currently if you are 21 and up can drink in the Gainesville Downtown Entertainment District while walking. More info and map can be obtained on GainesvilleFL.gov.
Package liquor can be purchased between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., packaged beer and wine may be sold between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., any day of the week, and beer, wine and drinks at a bar can be purchased between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Where do I eat? Drink? Buy my favorite…?
All that info will be stashed in your official FEST guidebook. We will also be updating the LOCAL EATS section of the site as information becomes available.
Where do I stay in Gainesville for FEST? Will there be an official FEST HOTEL this year?
Yes! Go to THE FEST HOTELS PAGE for more information! We have several hotels to choose from.
How do I get there? Rental cars? Flights? Greyhound?
The Gainesville Regional Airport is a quick cab ride to downtown. They use Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte and Dallas as hubs. DELTA and AMERICAN are their carriers. Sometimes it is actually cheaper to fly direct into Gainesville rather than travel from Jacksonville, Tampa, or Orlando. GNV airport also has car rentals available!
Gainesville also has a Greyhound station that is walking distance from downtown.
Where do I park in downtown Gainesville?
Please visit gvilleparking.com for updated information on parking passes and rates in downtown Gainesville.
Are you full? Can my band play?
WE ARE FULL!!!! Please do not ask us to play. I repeat, please do not ask us to play. We get way too many emails so if you did not get a reply back about your request it is just because there is not enough time in the day to email everyone back. Thanks for understanding. Time saved = More time to plan FEST.
How do I become a FEST sponsor or take out an ad in the Official Guidebook?
For sponsorship/guidebook-ad inquiries, email RANDY (sponsorthefest@gmail.com).
*Please include a link to your company because we are kinda picky about who we associate with.*
Can I table or distro at FEST?
Yes! Please e-mail Randy at sponsorthefest@gmail.com for more details.
Can I be an official FEST Photographer / Videographer?
Please read over the FEST PHOTOGRAPHY page on the site!
How can I volunteer for FEST to get a free pass?
If you live in the Gainesville area or if you have moved away from Gainesville and volunteered for FEST before and did a good job in the past we would love your help making FEST awesome!
Please visit the VOLUNTEER PAGE for more information and sign up/informative meetings in Gainesville.
