Big: Culture & Arts Festival Proved Florida’s Got Something to Say During Three-Day Celebration of Creativity in Downtown Gainesville
The organizers of Big built the festival as a grassroots, community-minded platform encouraging collaboration and creative expression. Attendees know: Big isn’t a music festival where you plan to alternate between sitting and standing in a grassy field — it’s a moment in time when the barriers separating artistic mediums no longer exist, an environment where lines blur among attendees and artists, and an opportunity to dream new artistic visions and watch them come to life on-site.
The festival also featured contributions from muralists, sculptural artists, filmmakers, circus performers, skaters, fashion designers, models and photographers, most of whom call Gainesville or Florida home. With 23 hours of live programming spread over eight stages, four venues, and one 155,000-square-foot, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood lot, Big proved that Florida’s creative communities have got something to say.
And what exactly are they saying?
Inspired by the Big Patchwork Wall — an on-site installation by Florida designer Last Call that wove together disparate fabrics into one unifying artwork — below is a chorus of diverse voices recounting the Big moments and memories that they still hold close to their hearts today:
“As I arrived at Big: Culture & Arts Festival, I was greeted by bustling streets alive with reverberating beats. The rhythms and melodies saturated the air, breaking down social barriers and bringing people from all walks of life together. It was like a universal language — the vibrations forged new connections and created a vibrant community. The scene blended the infectious sounds of house music with the vibrant energy of Afrobeats, mixing hip-hop’s raw edge with eclectic punk and indie vibes. As there was something for everyone, this was a haven for those who love discovering new music and crafting fresh playlists each week.”
“Big: Culture & Arts Festival conjures up a playground for creatives to explore countless wonders. From a drive-in movie theater and bizarre circus performances to an indoor skate park, a street fashion show and a diverse lineup of music acts, the festival pulses with creativity at every turn. It’s a celebration of artistry and community, offering unforgettable experiences for every kind of festival-goer.”
— Cleveland Rowe/ @papicleve/ @citrusrap
(Photo of Big Patchwork Wall courtesy of Christian Scaff/ @caniacsfilms)
“One memory from Big that I love is when Pink Siifu arrived in Gainesville. His flight landed super early, so he was just hanging out around the festival grounds before things got started. He was talking to people about how excited he was to be there, and that it was his first time in Gainesville. It was his first time seeing Spanish moss! His excited energy confirmed why we do Big in the first place: to create this ecosystem of dope artists, cool music, and cultural and artistic exchange.”
“After the festival, a lot of the artists reached out to us, saying that they were really happy about it, and that it felt like summer camp. It was so nice to see artists from all over the country enjoy Gainesville, from trying our local food to hitting the trails and seeing our local gators.”
— Laila Fakhoury/ @the.how.bazar/ @bigcaaf
“The scene I witnessed was nothing short of breathtaking. Against the backdrop of the night sky stood a beautiful full moon. It beamed its light and aura down onto the swampy canopy of live oak trees sheltering young people reciting lyrics in unison with MIKE. The voices echoed through the night under the pale moonlight like a ritualistic chant in a moment of collective catharsis.”
“Taking everything in during this moment made the evening seem almost mystical, as if the full moon’s presence represented a sort of cosmic alignment of the universe that allowed this magical event to happen in the first place. Big felt like a festival built by the people, for the people, and witnessing this magical moment made me grateful to have experienced it all.”
— Alejandro Hernandez/ @realonesshow
(Photo of MIKE by Elise Norman/ @elisenormanphotography)
“One of my favorite moments was getting a chance to walk around and look at what was actually going on and feel the energy of the festival. It was a very special feeling, full of beauty, great energy, a bunch of people really enjoying themselves, and a lot of beautiful artistic backdrops.”
“I can't get over the community stage. It felt like a true liminal space. I know our team spent an insane amount of time sewing the curtains we used for the backdrop and sound dampening. Being in that space, you feel the intention. You feel a real sense of community involvement, and just how much people are pouring into this.”
— Jahi Khalfani/ @diondiarecs/ @bigcaaf
(Photo of Big Community Stage by Christian Scaff/ @caniacsfilms)
“As a photographer, I wanted to capture as much of the festival as I could. There’s only so much you can capture through a lens; you really had to be there for the feeling and energy. I witnessed people making new friends and meeting up with old ones. During the last few, big performances of the night — Pink Siifu, Navy Blue, WIKI, The Alchemist and MIKE — the energy was indescribable. The cheers were deafening, and I could feel how excited everybody was to just be there and witness the amazing artists who took the time to bring their talent to Gainesville.”
“Everyone knew how special this was because something like this had never been witnessed in Gainesville, let alone in Florida. I remember my friend and I telling each other, ‘I can’t believe we’re in Gainesville right now.’ Big has transformed what the city means to people. It has lit a spark in a city that has been forever known as the college town of the Florida Gators.”
“Big didn’t feel like a festival that was only in its third year. The festival knows who it is and what it wants to be for other people. It feels human, authentic, fun and unique. Both the people who have brought the festival to life and the attendees contribute to this. Most importantly, it’s the best thing that has happened to the Gainesville music community. I am beyond excited to see how it continues to grow in the coming years. Big is only getting bigger, after all.”
— Words and Photo: Tiffany Fang/ @tiffanymfang
“I remember the first event I attended that Dion Dia and How Bazar organized. It was a hip-hop networking event in a cozy book and music store tucked away in Gainesville’s warehouse district. My friends and I performed that night, and even then, the focus on community was front and center. On the drive back to Jacksonville, I told them, ‘This is going to grow into something special.’
“What I hadn’t realized at the time was that we were witnessing the early foundation of what would eventually become Big. Much like that first experience, what stood out most at Big 2025 was the intentionality behind every detail.”
“The team’s vision created a space where artists felt genuinely seen, heard and celebrated. It’s rare to come across an event so dedicated to spotlighting local talent — not just the musical acts, but the circus performers, fashion show models, and even the photographers capturing it all. From the community stage to the Boiler Room-inspired Rhythm Room, every part of the festival pulsed with creative energy. And seeing Big Noyd make a surprise appearance during The Alchemist’s set? Unreal. Big was more than a festival—it felt like a monumental block party.”
— Christian Sanchez/ @cobainlame/ @theburbs.jpg
(Photo by Elise Norman/ @elisenormanphotography)
For more information about Big: Culture & Arts Festival, visit bigcaf.com. View a gallery of images available for press usage here.
ABOUT DION DIA AND HOW BAZAR
In 2018, Dion Dia was born as a movement in the form of a record label. From inception, Laila Fakhoury, Jahi Khalfani and Khary Khalfani intended the entity to drive cultural change by establishing sustainable alternatives to exclusionary elements of most events, programs and systems in Gainesville and beyond. In six short years, they’ve produced more than 200 events—and the community took note. The city of Gainesville decreed March 17, 2022, as Dion Dia Day, while the Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board presented them with the Business Arts Award.
Dion Dia’s brick-and-mortar headquarters, How Bazar, 60 S.W. 2nd St. in downtown Gainesville, is a worker-owned, multi-purpose space. By day, it’s a creative hub and clothing store offering apparel and accessories paired with pop ups from local makers. By night, it’s a bar and nightlife venue bringing together Gainesville’s community for celebration. Its bi-monthly artisan markets featuring DJs, musical performances and street performers have provided more than 1,500 creators with a high-reward, low-risk environment in which to exchange goods.