Daily
Gainesville
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 3rd of December.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Two new ALDI grocery stores opened in Gainesville on Nov. 20 at 300 SW 16th Ave. and 791 NW 120th Terrace—one replacing a former Winn-Dixie and the other located near the Noble on Newberry apartment complex. Both stores are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are part of ALDI’s plan to reach 800 locations nationwide by 2028, with grand openings featuring gift bags and a sweepstakes for early shoppers. The Gainesville Sun
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Fe College students will present Holiday at Santa Fe on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall with performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.—featuring live drumming, West African dance, and family activities including a cameo by Ol’ Saint Nick. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ How Bazar will host the Bazar À La Carte night market Dec. 6 from 6-11 p.m. in downtown Gainesville at How Bazar—featuring over 100 artisan makers, musical performances, live circus arts, a car show, and local food trucks. The event marks the statewide tour's final stop after visits to other Florida cities and celebrates Gainesville’s creative community. Alachua Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Alligator is recruiting reporters, editors, photographers and others for its spring 2026 team covering UF and Gainesville community stories. Applicants must submit materials by Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m.—staff meet in-person with weekly print production—and join a newsroom that values precise reporting. The Independent Florida Alligator
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Gainesville will host the A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 6 starting at noon along University Avenue—featuring over 100 floats, dance troupes, marching bands and community groups with co-grand marshals Marion J. Caffey and Emmanuel Garilus. Other planned events include a Holiday Kids’ Dance Party at Bo Diddley Plaza and a Holiday Lights Celebration at the Historic Thomas Center, while road closures and transit delays are expected for parade participants. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida is expected to hire Kentucky's Brad White as its new defensive coordinator under coach Jon Sumrall and GM David Caldwell. White spent eight seasons as Kentucky's outside linebackers coach and seven as its defensive coordinator and will join Florida's staff in Gainesville. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ The University of Florida named Jon Sumrall its new head football coach after he signed a six-year, $44.7 million contract that gives him $7.45 million a year plus bonuses and a $16.3 million yearly staff reserve—athletic director Scott Stricklin will meet with him twice a year to review resources. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Gainesville-area high school football teams will play state playoff games this week. On December 5, Hawthorne will face Blountstown for the Rural State Championship at 7 p.m., Buchholz will host West Broward in the Class 6A State Semifinals at 7:30 p.m., and Fort White will play Port St. Joe for the Rural FIT State Championship at 1 p.m., with Buchholz set to meet the winner from Armwood or West Boca Raton on December 12. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida's swim and dive teams are traveling to Austin, Texas to compete at the Toyota US Open Championship starting tomorrow at 4 p.m. The teams have entered 50 events and will try to secure a spot at the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming Championships. WRUF
- ➤ Today, the Gainesville Sun holds its weekly Athlete of the Week poll for high school sports and invites coaches, administrators, friends, or family to nominate students in football, basketball, and soccer. Nominations are due Monday morning — voting for the poll will close at noon on Saturday. The Gainesville Sun
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Thornebrook Holiday Market
5-8 p.m. — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Experience a winter wonderland with local vendors, food trucks, and festive tree lighting.
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Newberry's Tree Lighting Ceremony
6-8 p.m. — City of Newberry — Free entry — Celebrate the season with Santa photos, hot cocoa, and fun kids activities.
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Florida Gators Women's Basketball vs. South Alabama
2-4:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Check website for ticket info — Cheer on the Gators as they face off against South Alabama in a thrilling basketball matchup.
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Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Hippodrome Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the magic of Christmas through beautiful string renditions of your favorite holiday carols in a candlelit setting.
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Gainesville's Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
4:30-9:00 p.m. — Silver Q Billiards & Sports Bar — Tickets required — Dress in your ugliest holiday sweater for a night of festive fun with games, contests, and prizes.
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Florida Gators vs. St. Francis (PA) Red Flash
7 PM — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting NCAA basketball matchup featuring the Gators and the Red Flash.
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Dance Alive National Ballet - The Nutcracker
7:30-9 p.m. — Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of The Nutcracker with live music by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
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Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social
1-5 p.m. — Haile Plantation — Free entry — Celebrate the season with a family-friendly 5k jog followed by festive food and games.
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Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Florida Gators Women's Basketball
2:45 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Tickets available — Cheer on the Gators as they face off against Tulsa in women's basketball action.
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Dartmouth Big Green vs. Florida Gators Basketball
6-7:30 p.m. — Stephen C. O'Connell Center — Admission varies — Watch the Gators take on Dartmouth in an exciting basketball showdown, followed by postgame layups!
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
~ Robert Frost
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