The Fest 23 takes over Gainesville, Florida from October 24 to 26, 2025, and the city is gearing up for another wild weekend of noise and community.
Now in its twenty-third year, The Fest has grown into a full-blown punk rock reunion. More than 300 bands are set to hit downtown Gainesville across multiple venues, keeping the spirit of independent, DIY music alive and loud. No corporate fluff, no inflated prices—just pure punk energy.
This year’s lineup is loaded. The Get Up Kids will perform Something To Write Home About in full. Dillinger Four, Jeff Rosenstock, RX Bandits performing The Resignation, Fucked Up, Bane, Coalesce, Drug Church, and plenty more are confirmed. Some bands are also doing special sets that longtime fans won’t want to miss.
A handful of full-album performances are on the bill, including Shelter celebrating 30 years of Mantra, Underground Railroad to Candyland performing Birds Rough, Assholeparade revisiting Bury You, and sports. playing Demon Daze. These are the deep cuts that make The Fest such a standout every year.
Bo Diddley Plaza serves as the main hub while shows take place throughout bars, clubs, and halls across downtown. The real magic happens in motion—running between venues, discovering new favorites, and soaking in the Gainesville atmosphere that gives The Fest its identity.
Three-day passes are already over 90 percent sold out, so if you plan on going, don’t wait. Single showcase tickets and Thursday kickoff passes are also available.
The Fest weekend fills downtown Gainesville with music fans from around the world, bringing together a community that returns each year for the same reason—to celebrate underground music and the people who live it.
Parking and public transportation are available in the downtown area, and most venues sit within walking distance of each other, making it easy to move between shows.
The Fest 23 runs October 24 through 26 in downtown Gainesville. Three days, hundreds of artists, and the kind of punk rock energy that can only come from The Fest.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
