Top Gainesville Venues

• Spaces for 600 Guests

Hilton Ocala is a full-service hotel and conference center set on six acres of woodlands and beautifully landscaped hills in the heart of Florida's horse country. The property offers more than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, accommodating gatherings from intimate ceremonies to large-scale receptions of 700 or more guests. The venue's grounds provide several distinct settings for celebrations: an outdoor courtyard for evening receptions under the stars, towering giant oaks for open-air ceremonies, and an elegant ballroom with a dance floor. Couples have arrived at their receptions by horse-drawn carriage, and the property's resident Clydesdale, Buddy, adds a memorable touch unique to the setting. On-site, the Hilton Ocala operates two dining outlets — Market Kitchen & Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant, and Arthur's Bistro — alongside an outdoor pool and 196 guest rooms, making it a practical choice for multi-day event stays.

• Spaces for 150-500 Guests
• 3 Outdoor Spaces
• 1 Barn
• 4 Total Spaces

The Putnam County Fairgrounds and Expo Center is a non-profit agricultural fairgrounds in East Palatka, Florida, operated by the Putnam County Fair Authority, Inc. since 1950. The facility serves as both the home of the Annual Putnam County Agricultural Fair — which draws over 30,000 attendees each year — and as a year-round rental destination for weddings, banquets, fundraisers, expos, markets, livestock shows, and community events. The anchor rental space is the Expo Hall, a 5,300-square-foot fully enclosed and air-conditioned building completed in 2015. It accommodates up to 240 guests and includes a separate conference room, a fully equipped kitchen with multiple stoves and ovens, private restrooms, and a stock of round and rectangular tables. Two open-air pavilions offer additional covered space: Pavilion 1 (4,900 sq ft, up to 150 guests) features a stage, while Pavilion 2 (10,125 sq ft, up to 299 guests) is suited for larger markets and company events. The Tilton Arena, a covered arena with moveable grandstands, accommodates up to 500 guests for livestock shows and festivals. Full-grounds buyouts are available for large-scale festivals and car shows.

• Spaces for 150 Guests

Eagle Landing Golf Club sits within Oakleaf Plantation in Orange Park, Florida — a master-planned community built around an 18-hole, 7,037-yard championship course designed by Clyde Johnston. The course weaves through native Florida landscape, with golf and water views, towering pine trees, and a colorful floral setting that makes it a natural backdrop for events. The clubhouse has become one of the area's preferred settings for weddings, corporate banquets, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties, and retirement gatherings. The Landing Bar & Grill looks out over the fairways and water, offering indoor dining alongside a scenic veranda for al fresco service. The culinary team works from customizable menus with the flexibility to match different event formats and guest preferences.