We’re into the homestretch of 2024 and it’s time to fill up the last of your calendar with every holiday festivity both merry and bright. From parades and craft fairs to tree lightings and Christmas trains, North Central Florida is offering it all this season.
To find details on the regional events listed below, click on the links provided.
Friday, Dec. 6
Kirby Family Farm’s Christmas Train
Time: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-15, 20-23 and 26
Location: Kirby Family Farm, 19630 NE 30 St., Williston
Ebenzer Scrooge’s Big Gainesville Christmas Show
Times: 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 23
2 p.m. Dec. 8, 15, 22
7 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 18-19
Location: The Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2 Pl.
Time: 4-8 p.m. Dec. 6, noon-8 p.m. Dec. 7
Location: Blackadder Brewing Company, 618 NW 60 St., Gainesville
Time: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6.
Location: Shoppes at Thornebrook, 2441 NW 43 St., Gainesville
Time: 5-9 p.m. thru Dec. 24
Location: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Dr., White Springs
Time: 6 p.m. Dec. 6
Location: 321 N Marion Ave., Lake City
Time: 4:30-8 p.m. Dec. 6
Location: Main St., Alachua
Saturday, Dec. 7
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Gainesville Christmas
Time: 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 15 and 22
7 p.m. Dec. 5, 11-12 and 18-19
8 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 23
Location: The Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2 Pl., Gainesville
Time: 1 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 23
2 p.m. Dec. 20
4 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 23
7 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 17 and 22
Location: The Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE 2 Pl., Gainesville
The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon
Time: 2 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 22
7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 19-21
Location: The High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE 1 Ave., High Springs
Chiefland Christmas Festival, Rudolph Run and Lighted Parade
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., lighted Christmas parade at 6 p.m., Dec. 6
Location: Trailhead Park, 209 SW 1 Ave., Chiefland
Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Celebration United Methodist Chruch, 9501 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville
Hawthorne Christmas Parade and Festival
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Downtown Hawthorne
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Williston Horseman’s Park, 803 SW 19 Ave., Williston
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. thru Dec. 8
Location: Amber Brooke Farms, 3250 NE 140 Ave., Williston
Winter Wonderland Craft and Vendor Market
Time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 7, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 8
Location: Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville
Maker Workshops: 3D Modeling – Holidays
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: The Cade Museum, 811 S. Main St., Gainesville
Time: Noon
Location: University Ave. from W 6 St. to 620 E University Ave., Gainesville
Time: 2-3 p.m., 6-7 p.m.
Location: Santa Fe College’s Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83 St., Gainesville
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Location: Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1 Ln., Newberry
Time: 5:30-8 p.m., Dec. 7, 14-15, 19, 21-23
Location: Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180 Ave., Williston
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6 Ave., Gainesville
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Park, 116 N Main St., Williston
High Springs Christmas Tree Lightning Ceremony
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Farmer’s Market Pavilion, 23517 NW 185 Rd., High Springs
Sunday, Dec. 8
UF Carillon Annual Holiday Concert
Time: 1:55 p.m.
Location: Century Tower Carillon, 375 Newell Dr., Gainesville
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Location: 169 N Marion Ave., Lake City
Friday, Dec. 13
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, 15400 Peggy Rd., Alachua
Old Fashioned Christmas Festival
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: Trenton Train Depot, NW 4 Ave., Trenton
Saturday, Dec. 14
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Albert Ray Massey (Westside) Park, 1001 NW 34 St., Gainesville
Time: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: Cracker House Winery, 522 SE 897 St., Old Town
Amber Brooke Farms Winter Fest
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. thru Dec. 15
Location: Amber Brooke Farms, 3250 NE 140 Ave., Williston
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Main St., Alachua
Winter Wonderland Craft and Vendor Market
Time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 14, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 15
Location: Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd.
Swamp Head Brewery Holiday Marketplace
Time: Noon-5 p.m.
Location: Swamp Head Brewery, 3650 SW 42 Ave.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Blackadder Brewing Company, 618 NW 60 St.
Time: 5-7:30 p.m.
Location: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, 18700 S. CR 325, Cross Creek
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
Location: Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180 Ave., Williston
Sunday, Dec. 15
Christmas Extravaganza baby Pageant and Model Search
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Location: Prairie Creek Lodge, 7204 SE CR 234, Gainesville
Thursday, Dec. 19
Time: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21; 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22
Location: Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville
Friday, Dec. 20
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130 Way, Newberry
Saturday, Dec. 21
Winter Wonderland Craft and Vendor Market
Time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 21, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 22
Location: Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville
Time: 4 p.m. Dec. 21-22
Location: Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd., Gainesville
Time: 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. thru Dec. 23
Location: Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180 Ave., Williston
A Very Harry Christmas Trivia Night
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Blackadder Brewing Company, 618 NW 60 St., Gainesville
38th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, 4225 NW 34th St.
Sunday, Dec. 22
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: North Gainesville Baptist Church, 6203 NW 39 Ave., Gainesville
Friday, Dec. 27
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, 1013 NW 7 Ave., Gainesville
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Depot Park, 874 SE 4 St., Gainesville
Time: 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Location: Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave., Gainesville
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the play at The Hippodrome Theatre.
Yes Christmas 🎄 new year🎇🎆🎉