Dozens of floats, bands and dancers are gearing up to march down West University Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 6, to commence the holiday season with Gainesville’s third annual “A Very GNV Holiday Parade.” 

The parade will kick off at noon from the NW 6th Street and West University Avenue intersection, with award-winning saxophonist Emmanuel Garilus and producer, director and theatrical creator Marion J. Caffey at the helm as co-grand marshals. 

Star Center Theatre will make an appearance among the parade’s 112 participants as the organization celebrates its silver anniversary, marking 25 years of empowering and teaching young performers in the community. 

The parade will cross Main Street and finish at the Alachua County Public Schools’ district office in time for families to head over to Bo Diddley Plaza for a kids’ dance party slated from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Horse-drawn carriage rides and luminaries from the Duckpond Neighborhood Association will permeate the Thomas Center Gardens during the annual lights celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. 

The 2025 “A Very GNV Holiday Parade” is the city’s third since resurrecting the tradition it hadn’t celebrated since the 1990’s. 

Former Florida Gators head football coach Steve Spurrier acted as the inaugural grand marshal in 2023, followed by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal in 2024.  

The city encourages anyone attending Saturday’s events to post photos and videos to social media tagging @gainesvillefla on Instagram, @GainesvilleFL on Facebook and #GNVHolidayParade.