New Horizons Fest brings a week of jazz and adventurous music to Gainesville

January 16, 2026

Press release from New Horizons Fest

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – New Horizons Fest is a week-long celebration of jazz and adventurous music, taking place February 23 through March 1 at venues across Gainesville. The festival brings together local, regional, and nationally recognized artists for a series of concerts, showcases, film screenings, and late-night explorations that highlight the city’s vibrant creative music community and concludes with a performance by the luminary drummer and producer, Makaya McCraven.

Spanning intimate club performances, outdoor concerts, and special one-night events, New Horizons Fest emphasizes boundary-pushing jazz, improvised music, and cross-genre experimentation. The festival is designed as a city-wide experience, encouraging audiences to move between venues and discover new artists, collaborations, and spaces throughout the week.

Festival Schedule

Monday, Feb. 23
Chris Cogburn, Mike Khoury, and Hesham Abedi — Hippodrome Cinema 7:30pm
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Jazzology at the Bull — The Bull – 8pm
Baby J’s Jazz Standard Tuesdays — Baby J’s 8pm
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Luke Schneider + Mike Baggetta + J. Eel — Loosey’s 7:30pm
Thursday, Feb. 26
Kristen Warren + Creek — Baby J’s- 8pm
Friday, Feb. 27
Abstract Citizen, Katara — Loosey’s- 8pm
Saturday, Feb. 28
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État — Hippodrome Cinema 7pm
Dionysus with AGPA DJ Set — Baby J’s – 8pm
Sunday, March 1
NCFBS presents Mud Morganfield & Little Mike and the Tornadoes (Matinee) — Heartwood Soundstage 5pm
Makaya McCraven (Evening show with Sunshine Records DJ) — Heartwood Soundstage 9pm

Additional event details, set times, and ticket information can be found at Pulparts.com/newhorizons