Celebrate the Season with Holiday Events in Gainesville and Alachua County 2023

Stroll among twinkling lights, watch special holiday performances, find unique gifts at holiday markets. Explore local shopping destinations for selfie-friendly light displays and seasonal sales. Plan your holidays with our list of festive upcoming events in Gainesville and Alachua County.

A History of Kwanzaa at A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center
Wednesday, December 27, 7 p.m.

Tu Fiesta Radio Presents New Year’s Eve Eve with Elio Piedra at Tioga Town Center
Saturday, December 30, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Sparks in the Park New Year’s Eve Celebration at Depot Park
Sunday, December 31, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Downtown Countdown at Bo Diddley Plaza
Sunday, December 31, 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Spark Wonder at the Cade
Sunday, December 31, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

2nd Annual New Year’s Eve Dance Party with DJ A-Train at Heartwood Soundstage
Sunday, December 31, 7 p.m.

Party Like a Champion at Visors Rooftop
Sunday, December 31, 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Ball with the Savants of Soul at The Wooly
Sunday, December 31, 8:30 p.m.

Midtown Git Down New Year’s Eve Country-Themed Bash at Social at Midtown
Sunday, December 31, 7 p.m.

Pop Punk Emo Night New Year’s Eve Party at High Dive
Sunday, December 31, 8 p.m.

Electronic Music at Midnight Mass at Simons and Signal
Sunday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Party at Local Provisions
Sunday, December 31, 10 p.m.

New Year’s Day Free 5K parkrun at Depot Park
Monday, January 1, 7:30 a.m.

PAST EVENTS

Songs of the Season at Santa Fe College Jackson N Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Friday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Light the Tree at Celebration Pointe
Friday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.

A Magical Cirque Christmas at UF Phillips Center
Sunday, November 19, 6 p.m.

Cane Boil and Fiddlefest at Morningside Nature Center
Saturday, November 25, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Big Band Holidays Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at UF Phillips Center
Wednesday, November 29, 7:30 p.m.

Tree Lighting and Holiday Market at Shoppes at Thornebrook
Friday, December 1, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

A Very GNV Holiday Parade in Downtown Gainesville
Saturday, December 2, 12 p.m.

Holiday at Santa Fe at Santa Fe College Jackson N Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Saturday, December 2, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Sycamore Lane Vintage Christmas Market
Saturday, December 2, 2 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Light Up Tioga Town Center
Saturday, December 2, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

5th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Newberry
Saturday, December 2, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Holiday Lights Celebration at The Historic Thomas Center
Saturday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

2023 Craft Festival at Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Saturday, December 2 – Sunday, December 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

27th Annual UF Environmental Horticulture Club Poinsettia Sale
Thursday, December 7 by appointment, Friday, December 8, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. or sellout

Outdoor Movie Night with The Santa Claus at Tioga Town Center
Friday, December 8, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Micanopy 3rd Annual Holiday Stroll in Micanopy Downtown Historic District
Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

City of Alachua Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 9, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Christmas at Butler
Saturday, December 9, 4 p.m. -7 p.m.

Annual Holiday Party at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
Saturday, December 9, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

2023 High Springs Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 9, 6 p.m.

Christmas in High Springs Lights Display at the High Springs Civic Center
Sunday, December 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Snow, Balloon Animals, Face Painting and More at Holiday Kids Day at 4^th Ave Food Park
Sunday, December 10, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Santa at the Square in Waldo
Thursday, December 14, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Museum Nights: Holidays in the Tropics at the Harn Museum of Art
Thursday, December 14, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Grand Chanukah Celebration and Lighting of the Giant Menorah at Bo Diddley Plaza
Monday, December 11, 5:30 p.m.

Symphonic Season’s Greetings with The Gainesville Orchestra at Santa Fe College Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Friday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.

Dance Alive National Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at UF Phillps Center
Friday, December 15 – Sunday, December 17

Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Class with Clara at UF Phillips Center
Saturday, December 16 – Sunday, December 17, 4 p.m.

Dashing Through History at the Matheson History Museum
Saturday, December 16, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Operation Santa Delivery at Santa Fe College North Field
Saturday, December 16, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Holiday Pop-Up Market at The AUK Market
Saturday, December 16, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Holiday Marketplace at Swamp Head Brewery
Saturday, December 16, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Christmas in the Park at O’Leno State Park
Saturday, December 16, 1 p.m.

Newberry Main Street Gingerbread Contest
Saturday, December 16, 3 p.m.

Newberry Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 16, 5:30 p.m.

7th Annual Christmas on the Square at CountryWay Town Square
Saturday, December 16, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Weekends of Lights Displays, Music, Visits with the Grinch, Professional Photos and more at Christmas in High Springs
Saturday, December 16 – Sunday, December 17 and Saturday, December 23, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Winter Flavor Night at Sweet Dreams Ice Cream
Sunday, December 17, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Currys Christmas at Heartwood Soundstage
Thursday, December 21, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged) at the Hippodrome Theatre
Now through December 23

A Christmas Carol at the Hippodrome Theatre
Now through December 23

Holiday Night Sip and Stroll at Main Street Alachua
Friday, December 22, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Ceramic Christmas Art Night with DIY Wood Signs at Island Grove Wine Company
Friday, December 22, 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Walk or Ride Tours at Carson Springs Wildlife
Saturday, December 23, 10 a.m. and Monday, December 25, 1:30 p.m.

Brunch with Santa at Metro Diner
Saturday, December 23, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Downtown High Springs Art Walk
Saturday, December 23, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play at 4th Ave Food Park
Saturday, December 23, 3 p.m.

Pre-Fixe Short Rib Dinner at Haile Village Bistro
Sunday, December 24, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.