GATORNIGHTS!
Free interactive games, comedy shows, live music, popcorn, refreshments, a midnight breakfast, arts and crafts and first- run movies await you at Gator Nights! every Friday during summer b, fall and spring. Open to anyone with a valid Gator 1 and a guest, it is the leading late night program in the Southeast. It festivities takes place in the J. Wayne Reitz Union from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Indulge in the thrills of its carnival, which takes place twice a year.
GatorNights! began on August 25, 2000 after the Student Activities staff attended WVUp All Night, a light night program at West Virginia University. Almost 1,800 students attended the first GatorNights! Since its founding it has become a staple for most students and families on Fridays, and still attracts on average 1,300 to 1,800 guests a week.
View GatorNights! schedule of events.
Is your bike tire flat? Would you really like to quit smoking? Perhaps you need some legal advice? University of Florida students can have all of that, plus more, for FREE. Check out some of the free resources that UF has to offer for students, faculty and staff.
- Bike repair
- Printing lab
- The Hub Computing Help Desk
- Tobacco Free Campus
- Computer labs
- Legal service
- Anti-virus software
- Rape Aggression Defense (RADD)
LEISURE COURSES
Aside from courses for credit, students can also enroll in leisure courses to learn painting, dancing, playing guitar and others. U.F. students receive a discount, but be sure to sign up early as spots fill up fast.
REITZ UNION CINEMA
For other days during the year, the Reitz Union cinema features films at various show times. Some weeks have cultural, social or charity themes.
ORANGE & BREW
Orange & Brew is a café in the Reitz Union that offers free entertainment including bands, comedians and contests.
CALENDARS
A calendar to check for local events:
Another way of finding things to do on campus is visiting this website. It lists events and locations for things happening on or around campus and is a great tool for when you can’t figure out what to do.
HARN MUSEUM OF ART
The Harn Museum offers free admission and is closed on Monday. Tours are offered Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. or with a three-week notice. Every Thursday is Museum Nights from 6-9 p.m. The website lists which art exhibitions are on display, past exhibitions and future exhibitions. The museum features global art as well as local paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics and many other mediums.
FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Florida Museum of Natural History is located next to the Phillips Center, across from Southwest Recreation Center. The permanent exhibits are free for all visitors, and UF students get a discount for the temporary exhibits and the attached Butterfly Rainforest. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Membership is also available, and be sure to drop by the Butterfly Rainforest when the butterflies are released.
ART GALLERIES
The galleries at UF feature art exhibitions and display the work of students. Most galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with weekend times varying.
ACCENT SHOWS
Student government invites new speakers and performers to visit UF every year. Check this site to see who is expected to visit this year. It’s a costless way to spend an evening watching a celebrity. Check out the list of guests from the past to get an idea of what to expect.
PERFORMING ARTS
UF’s college of fine arts also offers orchestra, dance concerts, recitals and theatrical performances put on by students. Check this calendar and get free or discounted tickets to see them.
UNIVERSITY BOX OFFICE
For other venues around and near campus, look up the university box office:
PHILLIPS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
The Phillips Center attracts performers from all over the world to showcase their talent. UF students have the benefit of purchasing tickets at discounted prices.