Daily
Gainesville
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 6th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville will host its 3rd annual holiday parade today from noon to 1 p.m.—local talent Marion J. Caffey and Emmanuel Garilus lead a procession of over 100 floats and community groups, with families invited to enjoy a free kids’ dance party and holiday lights later this afternoon. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Celebration Pointe is hosting a festive holiday event today from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave—featuring live performances by Danscompany of Gainesville and the Joseph Williams Elementary Wildcat Chorus, food trucks, Coca-Cola tastings, and free Santa and Mrs. Claus photos from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Alachua Chronicle
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ WCJB TV20 has named Bradley Benoit as its new chief meteorologist after longtime forecaster Mike Potter retired; Benoit, who joined TV20 in April 2024 (and is a graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe), will deliver forecasts during the evening news and on digital platforms. WCJB
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville-based band The Nancys, rising from college gigs to sold-out shows in New York, are hosting their first concert at their new shared home today. The trio, known for their popular EP and energetic performances, plans to release more singles soon. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ On Dec. 4, 2025, members of Dance Alive National Ballet’s Next Generation studio performed scenes from The Nutcracker and decorated a tree (with tickets for area performances) at Gainesville Regional Airport to spread holiday cheer. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ University of Florida composer Nicolas Chalise and Morgan Vanderlaan present their original holiday musical cabaret The Reject Rockettes featuring festive numbers such as Hallmark Hates Me and We Three Queens — free to attend on Friday, Dec. 12 at The Bull in downtown Gainesville. Alachua Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UF approved a $2.7B plan for 700+ campus construction projects including a housing plan to add 10,000 beds and a $400M stadium upgrade — many projects will finish by 2028. The Board also began its search for a permanent president, with interim president Donald Landry set to apply. The Gainesville Sun
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City Commission is nearly finalizing a $5.5 million deal to sell Citizens Field to the school district, which plans to rebuild the stadium with turf. Officials also briefed plans for a $53.5 million redevelopment of the Southeast Eighth Avenue/Waldo corridor — a project to add sports and community amenities. The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Six former Gator softball players, including Kendra Falby and Korbe Otis, were chosen in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s second draft on Monday. Falby and Otis will join the Cascades in 2026 as the league expands to six teams after last summer’s inaugural season. WRUF
- ➤ Nick Zimmerman will become Florida’s new head soccer coach next fall following a successful run at Mississippi State; director of athletics Scott Stricklin announced the appointment on Friday. Zimmerman said he looks forward to building an attack-minded identity with the team in Gainesville. WCJB
- ➤ Buchholz High School played undefeated West Broward in the state semifinal on Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. ET as the Bobcats sought to break a streak of near-championship finishes — with Florida commit Justin Williams leading against top prospect Amir Sears. The Gainesville Sun
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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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Family New Year’s Eve Bash
4-8 p.m. — Dave & Buster's Gainesville — Tickets required — Celebrate 2026 early with food, games, and family-friendly countdown fun.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
~ Edmund Hillary
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