Bo Diddley Plaza events & schedule

About Bo Diddley Plaza

Bo Diddley Plaza is the City of Gainesville's open-air venue in historic downtown, on the corner of East University Avenue and SE 1st Street. It has a covered stage and a picnic and park area, with a restaurant and a cafe on site, and the city rents it out through the year for concerts, festivals, church gatherings and more. It was renamed in 2008 for Bo Diddley, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, guitarist and songwriter the city calls a local treasure.

Where it is

111 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601, at the corner of SE 1st Street and East University Avenue in historic downtown.

On site

A covered stage, a picnic and park area, and a restaurant and a cafe.

Regular series

The Free Fridays Concert Series runs here. The city describes it as the region's longest-running and largest free outdoor concert series, showcasing local and regional acts across classic rock, reggae, R&B, soul, ska, funk and blues.

Typical use

The city lists the plaza as suitable for concerts and plays, parties and celebrations, and group fitness and dance.

Rentals

The plaza is available to rent from the city for concerts, festivals and gatherings.

Verified August 7, 2026 against gainesvillefl.gov, the venue's own site. Policies change, so confirm before you go. Event listings below update nightly.