Five years... So many basketball games, gymnastics tournaments--and now this unforgettable moment:…read morewatching my son walk across the stage of the O'Connell Center to receive his master's degree. What a thrill to witness the Warrington College of Business graduation. UF makes it truly special--each graduate's name lit up on the scoreboard, a professional photographer capturing that proud walk across the stage, and a celebration that honors every achievement. UF really does it right--this was so well organized and there was plenty of parking available. What an incredible way to mark this milestone!

Was an Amazing Concert and Night of Worship at the Tim Tebow and Zach Williams Break the Chains…read more Entry was very smooth and easy. Staff was friendly and helpful guiding us to our seating area. Vendors were well laid out for you to buy swag. Concessions ran smoothly as well. Bathrooms were very clean and in working order. I would recommend this Venue , if there is a concert, Collegiate game here, it will be organized, clean, and well ran. When we left the staff were still super friendly and asked me to do a QR Code survey for the event and how it was run.

I love the fairgrounds! They are a really wonderful venue for many of the amazing events that come…read moreto Gainesville. The fairgrounds host the Annual Hoggtowne Fair, the Alachua County Fair and most recently the Inflatable 5k! The Fairgrounds themselves aren't much to look at, but they are well maintained, and I am so grateful that we have the space! I do wish it wasn't right next to the Jail, Grace Marketplace and the Airport, but what can you do.

From the owner: We are a event facility with multipurpose rental space.read more

This was my first time visiting the World Equestrian Center, and even though we were in a rush, I…read morewas so impressed. We stopped by last minute to take a few graduation photos of my niece before heading to her ceremony, and the grounds made the perfect backdrop. We didn't have much time to explore because we were trying to get to graduation, but everywhere we looked was beautiful. The property is well maintained, clean, and full of gorgeous photo opportunities.

UPDATE (July 2026): I also posted this review on a wedding review website. Approximately 18 months…read morelater, The World Equestrian Center disputed that review and asked the platform to remove it. I provided documentation supporting the factual statements in my review, yet it was still removed based on a technical eligibility determination, not because my experience was found to be untrue. Based on the platform's published review policies and the timeline of my case, I believe the review was removed in error. In my opinion, this is another example of WEC choosing to challenge customer criticism rather than take accountability. It only reinforces the lack of professionalism we experienced throughout our wedding planning process. I stand by every word of my original review and hope other couples will carefully consider our experience when choosing a wedding venue. - original review- Brides and grooms, beware. My fiancé and I signed a contract with the World Equestrian Center in December 2023 for our wedding ceremony in the Chapel and our reception on the Stirrups Terrace. We were thrilled, believing we had secured our dream wedding. However, just 41 days before our big day, I discovered on WEC's website that they were hosting a Grand Prix event in the main arena and selling tickets for a dining experience on the Stirrups Terrace where our dream reception was to take place. Learning about this significant change online, rather than through our WEC representative, highlights their unprofessionalism--unacceptable for a venue of this caliber. When we confronted WEC, they admitted to being aware of the conflict but insisted we relocate our reception to another area. All that was offered to my fiancé and I for this massive inconvenience was a 40 x 40 tent for 74 guests. Since we were unwilling to move our reception to a new location, WEC cancelled our contract with 37 days to go before our wedding date. They also refused to mass cancel our room block so my fiancé and I had to contact every guest that booked at the hotel to call and cancel. This breach of contract has utterly ruined our wedding day. It feels like a blatant bait-and-switch, driven by greed; they clearly prioritize making money over honoring commitments to their clients. They will toss aside your wedding contract if a better offer comes along. I strongly advise prospective couples to consider other options before trusting the World Equestrian Center with such an important occasion.

Love cheering on the ladies at Katie Seashole Pressly stadium. Don't work about regular seats - get…read moregen admission tickets, bring your chair and sit under the oaks. So relaxing and laid back. Go Gators!

I love this stadium and UF Softball! It had been a while since I had been to a game, but I used to…read morebe at this stadium every weekend for a few months out of the year! The stadium itself is fairly small, especially as softball is becoming more popular and UF is playing better. They have devised a new system, where only season ticket holders can sit in the assigned seats on the benches and the general public sits in the grassy areas. I don't mind this, however, you really need to get there 45 min-1 hr before the games starts if you want a decent spot, and even then prepared to be close to your neighbors! Parking fill up quickly, another reason to get there early. I usually just park in the parking garage cross the street and walk. The stadium is well maintained and usually has clean bathrooms, and overpriced concessions - if you need them!

I moved to Jacksonville recently from California and I am always on the lookout for new places to…read morecheck out. There is a building I pass every day near my home which caught my eye right away. Its stone façade and bright yellow sign flanked by two Medieval Knights, with the words "The Arena" across it in large block lettering stood out in comparison to its neighbors, a church and a discount furniture store. I quickly put on my detective cap and began scouring the internet for any explanation or reviews but information was sparse. I eventually found the website... The Arena | Jacksonville's Premiere Concert Venue... "The Arena is definitely one of Jacksonville's premiere and edgiest night scenes. With four stages, and full audio-surround sound, you will be blown away..." I ear marked it as a place to check out in the future. As Halloween grew closer The Arena began to look more and more like an off-beat community haunted attraction. A giant, ominous, clown face appeared over the door along with some additional lights and carnival décor. A new sign was added, "Carnevil". Of course I got back on the internet and found, "Welcome to Carnevil! The darkest and final act of the circus empire..." From the description it sounded pretty scary, I don't really do scary, but it was Halloween and we had no other plans and it was FREE. Now let me tell you, the free thing immediately set off some red flags, nothing is free but curiosity got the best of us. We invited some friends, put on our costumes and headed to the Arena but it was completely full and they sent us away with priority tickets for the next showing. Sunday night just my fiancé and I went back. Like I said, I don't really do scary well and as I stood in line my heart was racing. They announce that we are about to go in and once we are inside we will not be allowed to leave until the end. Honestly, we were half convinced that this place lures unsuspecting people in and keeps them forever... how else does a "Premiere Concert Venue" have almost no internet presence and NO reviews? The whole experience started off great. Creepy ghosts shambled through the lines, small groups were let into the theatre at a time, entering through a miniature haunted maze with all the scares and screams as a professional haunted house. There were plenty of scares for the audience while we waited for the show to start. The play had a great campy/spooky community theatre feel complete with frightening clowns, quality makeup, sound and lighting effects. Over and over I kept thinking, "How is this free?" and then it started... "drugs", "sex", "rebelling against authority"... "sin". Suddenly I realized I was at church. A preacher dressed as a cop stood center stage asking the audience to raise their hands, come up and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to avoid a hell worse than the clown camp we just witnessed. I want to be clear... I do not have a problem with this being a church function; I appreciate the local church for pulling together a great community event... I do have a problem with being completely ambushed. Nowhere on TheArenaJax.com does it mention its affiliation with Victory Church. To solicit itself as one of the country's premier, edgy music venue, "showcasing a spectrum of internationally renowned artists" is more than slightly misleading. I have to say, I felt a bit violated to be lured into what appeared to be a fun community theatre, told I could not leave until it was over and then force fed a religious message while adults in scary masks and makeup stood blocking the exit. Here is the TL;DR: The production quality is great for a free event. I really enjoyed the first hour and a half of my experience. I would even encourage people to check out one of their events but be advised... this is a religious venue affiliated with its neighboring church. You will be held inside the building and asked to approach the stage to accept their message.

I have seen the Carnevil show twice now and I absolutely love it. Yes, it wasn't for the faint of…read moreheart, but it was awesome nonetheless. I am not one to like scary things but after seeing the show I had to see it again. The storyline and characters are well-made and very nice people. They put all they had into making this show work and after the show you get to meet them and get to know them personally. The theatrics of it were stunning and very luring and the sound effects blew me away. I loved how well the actors dressed up and scared people. They'd pop out of the dark, they sang along to hit songs from Slipknot and they made it a very good memorable experience. Along with the thrills they made some funny remarks during the show which made it more enjoyable and fun. If they were able to keep the show going on for more days I would go to all of them. For free it was worth it- if I had to pay, it would've been totally worth it. At the end of the show there was a part where a character made a statement about being "lost" and how he was able to come to terms with himself. Yes, they help people to believe but even if you aren't into Christianity or religion at all it didn't matter. They wanted people to remember the show and to tell everyone else back home about it. They wanted to inspire people to not be afraid and to become more than what people think of you. They don't force any part of religion on anyone and they don't force people into a prayer at all. They merely want to help people and for the people who were just there for the show, they got to see how much hard work and dedication the actors put into this to make it fun and memorable and thrilling. I absolutely loved it and would go to many more shows for the rest of my life for the experience. Amazing job well done.

I think the only reason this place gets work is because nothing like this facility exists near…read moreorlando. Someone build in Orange county, and this place would no longer exist. Not a great experience for us parents during basketball tourney's. fights break out all the time.

Been coming here for years for basketball tournaments the staff is always pleasant and consistent…read morewith the rules! Whenever the games get out of hand they handle it swiftly and safely. Restaurant is reasonably priced and food is foodAlways a pleasure coming to play at the big house!

EverBank Stadium is honestly one of the easiest stadiums…read moreI've been to navigate. Getting around feels simple and efficient, and for a stadium, the food and drink prices really aren't nearly as outrageous as you'd expect. One thing I especially love is that it's actually IN Jacksonville instead of being built 20+ miles outside the city it's named after like so many other stadiums. The downtown location adds so much to the experience and makes game days/events feel connected to the city itself. Already excited to see what it looks like after the renovations because the future plans sound incredible. Also, huge shoutout to Steve C. in the Gallagher Club -- hands down the best bartender in the entire stadium. Friendly, fast, and always makes the experience even better.

I didn't get to view a game here or an event, but I didn't get to explore and walk around and check…read moreout the area. I did like to see all the cool things that offered a public art that sounds it. They were currently doing a renovation while I was there so I didn't get to do as much as I would like.

What an absolute masterclass in entertainment tonight! Even with a rainy Thursday evening in the…read more904, Barry Manilow brought pure sunshine and unmatched energy to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena for one last unforgettable night. I'll admit, I only knew a handful of his songs--all thanks to the office radio locked on Yacht Rock over the years. LOL. But honestly? That was more than enough to be completely swept away by the nostalgia, dazzling showmanship, and incredible production. Seeing him light up that stage at 83-yrs young, looking so vibrant and completely owning the choreography after everything he has faced with his lung cancer recovery, is nothing short of inspiring. *:｡ﾟ \ (･‿･) /ﾟ*:｡ﾟ May we all have that kind of grace, talent, and energy to rock sparkly jackets and shoes at his age! Thank you, Barry for stopping by "The River City" one last time on this farewell journey!

I attended a graduation and the one thing I like about this venue is the proximity to the parking…read moregarage. Parking cost $10 but it was worth it to be so close. They also have good accesibilty with elevators and escalators. There are several good food and options added since I was there last. Overall, great venue