What is GatorNights?
GatorNights is where students go to have fun, make memories, and enjoy FREE events with their peers! Hosted throughout the semester, every GatorNights features activities that foster community, creativity, and adventure in a safe, welcoming environment. Whether you’re looking to meet new people at one of our themed GatorNights, showcase your talents at Gator Idol, or make memories with friends during a movie screening or at the annual Friendsgiving event, GatorNights has something for everyone and is the perfect place to connect, explore, and enjoy campus life together.
Fall Festival
The Fall Festival event was held to celebrate all things fall! Students picked their own pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and got to decorate them, got stunning henna designs, rode a mechanical spider, made their own candles, enjoyed delicious fall themed food, and had a surprise visit from a scarecrow on stilts!
Singo: Record Rush
Singo was a fun musical twist to Bingo! Students in attendance received bingo cards with songs on them, and songs were played at random. Each round, students had to complete a unique shape, and if they shouted SINGO, they got to pick an album to take home from the prize table.
There’s No Place Like GatorNights
GatorNights transformed the Grand Ballroom into a Wicked-inspired experience featuring activities, entertainment, and opportunities for students to meet new people.
Amazing Race
Collaborating with Inter-Residence Hall Association, the Amazing Race event took place around UF campus. Students were split into teams and were given maps of campus where they could find up to 10 spots that had unique challenges. Groups who found and completed 8/10 challenges received an Amazing Race t-shirt!
Paint the Reitz Orange & Blue
One of GatorNights Great Gator Welcome events. Late-night activities included tie-dye, a splatter room, airbrush hats, silent disco, two color-by-number murals, stuff-a-gator, and even a caricature artist!
Silent Disco
Silent Disco is one of many activities you may find at any GatorNights event. Students put on headphones and dance the night away on a light-up dance floor!
“Being a student in GatorNights has been one of the most rewarding involvements of my college career. I have been able to strengthen my professional communication, time management, and budgetary skills through fulfilling the essential duties the role entails. But the most rewarding experience has been taking a leading role in planning events that foster community on campus.”
– Andreana Antoniou, Chair, 2025-2026
Fall 2026 GatorNights Events
Aug 28
7 PM – 10 PM
Never-Ending Summer
Reitz Union | Part of Great Gator Welcome, come hang out with GatorNights for an event full of activities and free food!
Sept 17
7 PM
Moonlight Movie
Reitz Union North Lawn | Movie: Jurassic Park | A movie night under the stars with light refreshments!
Oct 7
12 PM
DIY Craft Bar
Reitz Union | In collaboration with the Arts & Crafts Center, design your own tote bag or shirt using exclusive GatorNights patches and an assortment of additional patches. You can also paint your own pot and take home a succulent!
Oct 27
11 AM
Fall Festival
Reitz Union North Lawn | Get into the fall and Halloween spirit with fun activities, GatorNights merch, and light refreshments.
Dec 2
11 AM
Destress Fest
Reitz Union | Right before the semester ends, come out to enjoy different activities and light refreshments to help prepare you for finals and the break ahead.
Check-in locations will vary by event. However, this station will typically be located in the Outdoor Tabling Area or at the Information Desk on Level 1 of the J. Wayne Reitz Union.
GatorNights events are for currently enrolled UF students.
The University defines current student as a student registered for classes or a student who remains in good status with the University to take classes in future semesters. GatorNights participants include students at all class levels. So, whether you are a first-year student or graduate student, we would love to see you at the GatorNights program!
Lost items will be turned into the Information Desk on Level 1 of the J. Wayne Reitz Union facility. Items may be retrieved any time during regular operating hours.
GatorNights is a large production that requires many of the J. Wayne Reitz Union teams and campus members to ensure its weekly success. Here are the units you’re likely to see at a GatorNights event:
- GatorNights Planning Committee Members
- GatorNights Student Employees
- Student Organizations
- Reitz Union Game Room Team
- Reitz Union Audio Visual Team
- Reitz Union Productions Team
- Reitz Union Building Supervisors
- Aramark
- Campus Partners
Throughout the semester we work with many departments and student organizations.
GatorNights began on August 25, 2000, after the student activities staff attended WVU All Night (the late-night program at West Virginia University). Almost 1,800 students attended the first GatorNights and it has been a Gator tradition ever since! The average weekly attendance at GatorNights is about 1,500 students and our largest night had an attendance of 4,303 students. As a result of the popularity, several other universities have visited GatorNights in an effort to implement a similar program on their campuses. The popularity of the program has also led to several changes in the number of services and programs that we provide. Each week we strive to balance the night with entertainment, activities, and novelties.
To make sure you are up-to-date with all things GatorNights, make sure to follow our Instagram page! @ufgatornights
“Being a student leader has had such an amazing impact on my college experience. Through GatorNights, I’ve had the opportunity to grow both technical and personal skills, including event management, budgeting, leadership, and communication. It’s been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences watching events come to life for the student body to enjoy!”
– Alice Zhang, Chair, 2026-2027
Want to help plan GatorNights?
Apply today to be a part of the GatorNights Planning Committee and help come up with the themes, activities, entertainment, crafts and everything else that makes up each GatorNights event.
Email gatornights@ufsa.ufl.edu for more info!
Feedback
Let us know how we’re doing or if you have an idea for how we can make GatorNights even better.
Email gatornights@ufsa.ufl.edu to provide feedback!
Collaborate
Want to collaborate with GatorNights for an event your organization is hosting or need some sponsorship money for an event on a Friday night in the Reitz Union?
Please email gatornights@ufsa.ufl.edu no later than six weeks before the date you would like to host an event! Thank you for your interest.