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.
For more great events and activities visit the Flagler Award-winning What’s Good weekly event guide.
The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged) at the Hippodrome Theatre
November 24 – December 23
A Christmas Carol at the Hippodrome Theatre
November 25 – December 23
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.
Light Up Tioga Town Center
Saturday, December 2, 5 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.
Annual Holiday Party at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
Saturday, December 9
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.
PAST EVENTS
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at UF O’Connell Center
Thursday, November 17, 7:30 p.m.
Light Up Celebration Point at their Annual Tree Lighting
Friday, November 18, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
31st Annual Tree Lighting at Shoppes at Thornebrook
Saturday, November 19, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cane Boil and Fiddlefest at Morningside Nature Center
Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The O’Connell Center Craft Festival 2022 at UF O’Connell Center
Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Holiday Mimosas Sip and Shop at Artisans’ Guild Gallery
Sunday, November 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
City of Alachua Tree Lighting at Skinner Field
Friday, December 2, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Self-Guided Holiday Art Tour at Artwalk Gainesville
Friday, December 2, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
“Holiday at Santa Fe” at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall
Saturday, December 3, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Holiday Lights Celebration at the Historic Thomas Center
Saturday, December 3, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Christkindlmarkt at Blackadder Brewing Company
Friday, December 2 – Saturday, December 3, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
High Springs Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 6 p.m.
Hawthorne Christmas Festival in Downtown Hawthorne
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Festival of Trees 2022 at Gainesville Woman’s Club
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sycamore Lane Vintage Christmas Market in Historic Downtown Newberry
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Operation Santa Delivery at Santa Fe College North Field
Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Holiday Party and Make Fest at Good News Arts
Saturday, December 3, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Fall Farm and Cane Festival at Dudley Farm
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kids Holiday Dance Party at Bo Diddley Plaza
Saturday, December 3, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
High Springs Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 6 p.m.
Parade of Lights at Archer Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.
City of Newberry Christmas Tree Lighting in the Gingerbread Village
Saturday, December 3, 6 p.m.
Carillon Studio Holiday Recital at UF Century Tower
Sunday, December 4, 1:55 p.m.
74th Annual UF School of Music Sounds of the Season at UF Phillips Center
Sunday, December 4, 7 p.m.
GLAM Craft Show at First Magnitude Brewing Company
Sunday, December 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
tenThing Brass Ensemble Holiday Concert at UF Phillips Center
Tuesday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.
2022 UF Poinsettia Sale at UF Horticultural Greenhouse
Thursday, December 8 – Friday, December 9, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Winter Choir Concert at St Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center
Friday, December 9, 7 p.m.
Danscompany presents Cinderella at UF Phillips Center
Friday, December 9, 7 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Holiday Market and Open House at Shoppes at Thornebrook
Friday, December 9, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
2nd Annual Micanopy Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Main Street Alachua Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10, 2 p.m.
High Springs Candy Cane Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10, 3 p.m.
Concierto de Navidad por la North Florida SDA Orchestra at Bo Diddley Plaza
Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m.
Concierto de Navidad por la North Florida SDA Orchestra at Bo Diddley Plaza
Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m.
Christmas at Butler at Butler Town Center
Saturday, December 10, 4 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Holiday Pride! at Pride Community Center
Sunday, December 11, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Light Up Tioga Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival at Tioga Town Center
Sunday, December 11, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Alachua County Youth Orchestra Winter Concert at UF Philips Center
Sunday, December 11, 7 p.m.
Young Annasemble Holiday Concert at The Historic Thomas Center
Monday, December 12, 7 p.m.
La Balooza Hot Air Balloon Festival at Gainesville Raceway
Friday, December 16 – Saturday, December 17
The City of Alachua and Dance Alive National Ballet Present Nutcracker Under the Stars at Legacy Park
Friday, December 16, 7 p.m.
A Christmas Story at High Springs Playhouse
Now through Sunday, December 18
Dance Alive National Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at UF Phillips Center
Saturday, December 17, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Ballet Dance Class with Clara
Saturday, December 17, 4 p.m., – Sunday, December 18, 4 p.m.
Downtown High Springs Holiday Artwalk
Saturday, December 17, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop, Dine and Stroll at Holiday Night on Main Street Alachua
Saturday, December 17, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
6th Annual Christmas on the Square at CountryWay Town Square
Saturday, December 17, 6 p.m.
36th Annual Veterans for Peace Winter Solstice Concert at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Saturday, December 17, 8 p.m.
Grand Chanukah Celebration and Giant Menorah Lighting at Bo Diddley Plaza
Wednesday, December 21, 5 p.m.
Christmas with the Currys at Heartwood Soundstage
Wednesday, December 21, 7 p.m.
Eat. Drink. Be Ugly. 6th Annual Ugly Sweater Contest at Blackadder Brewing Company
Thursday, December 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Murder for Two Holiday Edition at the Hippodrome Theatre
Now through Thursday, December 22
(sold out) Holiday Wine Pairing and Chef Dinner at The Fat Tuscan
Friday, December 23, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Christmas Tours at Carson Springs Wildlife
Saturday, December 24, 10 a.m., Monay, December 26, 1 p.m.
A History of Kwanzaa with Kali Blount at A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center
Tuesday, December 27, 5:30 p.m.
History and Holidays Guided Tours at Historic Haile Homestead
Saturday, December 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
