Good morning, Gainesville.

Downtown Gainesville is hosting a seven-week winter market series starting today at the Streatery with 26 local vendors, live music, circus performers, and a car show.

The event aims to boost community engagement and highlight local arts for residents.

UF/IFAS Extension hosted the Peanut Butter Challenge where local residents donated 32,773 jars totaling 44,564 pounds in October (some collections extended into November), enough to feed over 10,000 people during the winter holidays; Orange County led by donating 5,186 pounds, officials said.

Palms Medical Group provided 120 North Central Florida children with Christmas gifts in High Springs through partnerships with Guardian ad Litem (covering Levy and Gilchrist Counties) and Partnership for Strong Families.

Ashley Chesney said the gesture brings genuine holiday magic to the community.

Several local artisans offered handcrafted holiday gifts at November market events including the 4th Ave Food Park’s '$25 and Under Market'—a popular local venue—and the Gator Market, featuring items ranging from crocheted stuffed animals and stained-glass decor to memory quilts made from sustainable materials.

16-year-old director Nathan Wynn will helm Mary Poppins with Ripple Theatricals from March 13 to April 4 as he builds on successes including the ongoing run of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The show will showcase community talent at the permanent venue on SW 63rd Blvd (a local arts hub).

An appellate court has maintained a UF (University of Florida) law student's ban while his appeal over antisemitic posts continues, leaving him subject to a trespass order as he files his response by Friday.

Buchholz High School teacher Christin Vinson was named The Gainesville Sun’s Amazing Teacher of the Month for December (announced on Dec.

11 at 12:15 p.m.) as part of an award program sponsored by Florida Credit Union and the newspaper in Gainesville.

Santa Fe College pinned over 100 new nurses during its fall commencement ceremony on Dec.

11 at its Gainesville campus+ family and faculty gathered to honor the graduates.

Oak Hall School broke ground on Thursday, Dec.

11 for a $6 million donor-funded project to build two gymnasiums (22,000 sqft for upper and middle school and 7,000 sqft for lower school) to expand athletic and community event facilities with an opening scheduled for August 2026.

Gentle weekend rain did not restore low groundwater levels in our area as water management officials report critical flow shortages in the Floridan Aquifer; a burn ban is in effect in Alachua County & planned prescribed burns have been delayed.

Noticias WUFT’s series Viviendo con la Tierra examines Florida’s rapid urban sprawl transforming historic farmland, revealing how residents, scientists, and farmers are using new technologies such as vertical farms + space research to protect natural resources.

The SEC Power Rankings show Florida's preseason Gators struggling with an 0-2 start and Kentucky's Wildcats barely avoiding the bottom, with records updated through Dec.

10. The rankings reflect challenging seasons and close calls that could shift team standings.

Florida freshmen Vernell Brown III and Jayden Woods earned Freshman All-SEC Honors when the conference announced the selections on Dec.

11 at UF — Brown secured three honors for different positions while Woods recorded 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his debut season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.