Daily
Gainesville
Thursday, December 4th, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 4th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Alachua County Public Schools launched its annual Holiday Food Drive to support families during Winter Break. Food donations drop off at Westwood Middle School and the District Office until Dec. 12 while monetary gifts are accepted until Dec. 15. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ Gainesville hosts holiday events: A GNV Holiday Parade on Dec. 6 starts at West University Ave. & a dance party at Bo Diddley Plaza, UF lights the Holiday Gator on Dec. 5, & a burrowing owl walk in Newberry and a burn ban until Dec. 9 round out the schedule. The Gainesville Sun
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Holiday events brighten Gainesville with the Alachua Christmas Tree Walk (20 decorated trees at City Hall through Dec. 30), the Harn Museum unveiling French Moderns exhibit until Jan. 4, and Newberry hosting its Light Up competition from Dec. 5 to 16. The Gainesville Sun
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Alachua County will mark 25 years of its Forever conservation program with a guided hike at Mill Creek Preserve on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. A county arborist will lead a 2- to 3-mile tour (bring water and insect repellent) to highlight local ecology. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida secured 11 commitments on Dec. 3 during Early Signing Day, capturing four-star recruits (Malik Morris, Justin Williams, and offensive tackle Tyler Chukuyem) who chose the Gators over multiple offers; more updates are expected as the signing period continues. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Florida football head coach Jon Sumrall expects to hire former Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White as the team prepares for the upcoming season. White (who served with the Indianapolis Colts) helped rank defenses among the nation’s best and will work with Sumrall to boost the team. WRUF
- ➤ Today, Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall is leading a busy National Signing Day as the team signs 16 recruits to boost its roster, including local standout Justin Williams (a record-setting high school receiver) who will add extra firepower for next season. WRUF
- ➤ John Sumrall, hired Sunday as Florida's next head coach, will continue coaching Tulane in its championship game against North Texas on Friday. He insists on finishing his current role before moving to his new challenge with Florida. WRUF
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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
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~ Albert Einstein
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