Christmas in Gainesville

Parades, tree lightings, Santa visits, holiday shows and markets across Gainesville and Alachua County, gathered from local calendars. Shows with several dates are listed once. Part of the full Gainesville events calendar.

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Parades & tree lightings 2 events

Christmas on Main Street Tree Lighting

Friday, December 4, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Main Street Alachua

CommunityVisit Gainesville
Light Up Tioga

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

CommunityTioga Town Center

Week of November 2 1 event

First United Methodist Church Holiday Marketplace

Nov 6 – Nov 8 · 3 dates · First United Methodist Church

Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8

CommunityAlachua Chronicle

Week of November 30 14 events

Recycled Graphic Novel Holiday Globes

Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Tower Road Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Baby DJ Holiday Toy Drive Happy Hour

Thursday, December 3, 2026 · The Umansky Law Firm

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
ArtSpace: Holiday Gift Making Workshop

Dec 3 – Dec 5 · 2 dates · Waldo Branch

Dec 3 Dec 5

LearningFreeAlachua County Library District
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”

Dec 3 – Dec 20 · 10 dates · Acrosstown Repertory Theatre

Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 11 Dec 12
+4 more
Dec 13 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

Arts$10Visit Gainesville
High Springs Museum Christmas Train Display and Visit with Santa

Friday, December 4, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · St Bartholomew’s Church Hall

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
Fall-La-La: A Holiday A Cappella Showcase

Friday, December 4, 2026, 7:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage

MusicHeartwood Soundstage
Holiday Market with Local Artisans and Crafters

Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Gainesville Garden Club

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
Celebration United Methodist Church Annual Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Celebration United Methodist Church

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
A Christmas Carol

Dec 5 – Dec 20 · 6 dates · Hippodrome Theatre

Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 19 Dec 20

ArtsHippodrome Theatre
Holiday at Santa Fe

Saturday, December 5, 2026 · 2 performances · Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall

Dec 5, 2:00 PM Dec 5, 6:00 PM

Arts$10–$20Santa Fe College Fine Arts
Santa Claus at the Library

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM · Hawthorne Branch

LearningFreeAlachua County Library District
Holiday Pet Pageant

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Swamp Head Brewery

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
A Twistmas Carol

Dec 5 – Dec 21 · 11 dates · Hippodrome Theatre

Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 12 Dec 13
+5 more
Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21

ArtsHippodrome Theatre
Country Christmas Music with Cliff Dorsey

Sunday, December 6, 2026 · 2 performances · High Springs Civic Center

Dec 6, 1:00 PM Dec 6, 5:00 PM

Music$20.00Visit Gainesville

Week of December 7 11 events

Snowflake Factory

Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM · Newberry Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Holiday Choral and Orchestral Music at the 4th Annual Unity Concert

Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

CommunityFreeVisit Gainesville
Yuletide Craft Extravaganza

Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM · Millhopper Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Adult Craft Club: Holiday Cards

Friday, December 11, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM · Millhopper Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

Friday, December 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM · The Hippodrome Theatre

Music$34.94Visit Gainesville
AAS Holiday Social

Friday, December 11, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA

CommunityAlachua Audubon Society
Holiday Harmonies XIII: A Story of Holly and Ivy A Cappella Concert

Saturday, December 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Grace Presbyterian Church

Community$15Visit Gainesville
Winter Holiday Crafts for Kids

Saturday, December 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Micanopy Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Santa Brunch @ Local

Sunday, December 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

FoodTioga Town Center
ACT Holiday Mingle 2026

Sunday, December 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Prairie Creek Lodge

OutdoorsAlachua Conservation Trust
Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Jackson Sasser Hall, Santa Fe College

MusicFreeGainesville Community Band

Week of December 14 11 events

The Currys Christmas Show 2026

Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6:00 PM · Heartwood Soundstage

MusicHeartwood Soundstage
Holiday Jazz

Friday, December 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Millhopper Branch

MusicFreeAlachua County Library District
ArtSpace: Ceramic Holiday Tree Painting

Friday, December 18, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Waldo Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Music show: Train Bug Home 4 the Holidays Tour

Friday, December 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

MusicCivic Media Center
Spirit of the Horse Holiday Equestrian Show

Dec 18 – Dec 20 · 3 dates · Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center

Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

Community$80Visit Gainesville
Dance Alive National Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”

Dec 18 – Dec 20 · 3 dates · Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Dec 18 Dec 19, 8:00 AM Dec 19, 2:00 PM Dec 20

Arts$42 – $62Visit Gainesville
Movie: The Grinch with Live Character Meet & Greet

Friday, December 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

ArtsTioga Town Center
Candlelight: Christmas Classics Holiday Concert

Friday, December 18, 2026, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM · The Hippodrome Theatre

Community$38.70Visit Gainesville
Fold and Chat: Holiday Crafts & Cards

Saturday, December 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Micanopy Branch

ArtsFreeAlachua County Library District
Outdoor Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

MusicFreeGainesville Community Band
THE NUTCRACKER with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM · Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

MusicUF Performing Arts