Alachua Christmas on Main: tree lighting and Santa, Dec. 4

Christmas on Main, the City of Alachua’s holiday night on its historic Main Street, is Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. The event site lists free horse-and-carriage rides, a free train ride, stage shows and photos with Santa by reservation.

Last checked 2026-11-10.

Upcoming dates

• Fri. Dec. 4, 5 to 8 p.m.

The event schedule for the night:

• 5 to 5:25 p.m.: Alachua Elementary students sing
• 5:30 to 6 p.m.: Alachua Children’s Theater performance
• 6:30 p.m.: tree lighting at Skinner Field, next to Bev’s Better Burgers

The stage performances are next to the Ice Cream Vault on Main Street. Christmas on Main is one night a year; the city lists it with its other special events, and its Christmas on Main page sends visitors to the event’s own site.

Where it is and parking

Everything happens along historic Main Street in downtown Alachua, about 10 miles northwest of Gainesville; from town, take U.S. 441 or Interstate 75 north. The tree is lit at Skinner Field, beside Bev’s Better Burgers.

The city does not publish parking areas or street closures for the night. Plan to park a short walk away and come early for the 6:30 p.m. lighting. For road work on the way, see our road closures page.

Tickets and cost

No tickets are listed. The event site says the horse-and-carriage rides and the train ride are free, and it posts no entry charge.

Photos with Santa are booked by time slot on the Christmas on Main website: choose a time, give your email address and submit the form. The organizer asks for one reservation per household or email address.

What to know

• Arrive early for Santa. The organizer asks families to be there 15 minutes before their reserved time.
• No booking? Come anyway. If every Santa slot fills, families without a reservation are still welcome, and the organizer says it will do its best to work them in.
• The parade is a separate day. The Alachua Chamber of Commerce hosts the city’s Christmas parade on the second Saturday of December. It starts at 11 a.m. sharp, crosses U.S. 441 onto the north side of Main Street and runs down to Alachua Farm & Lumber.
• Who to call: City of Alachua Recreation & Culture, 386-462-0145; City Hall, 386-418-6100.

The next morning, Saturday, Dec. 5, Alachua’s Market on Main runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the same street. For more holiday outings, see our holiday lights and Christmas events, the Gainesville holiday parade and tree lighting and things to do this month. Thinking of moving north of town? Our Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry and High Springs comparison sets the four side by side.

Dates and venues as listed on the Visit Gainesville calendar and confirmed on the organizer’s site.

Frequently asked questions

When is Christmas on Main in Alachua?

Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. on historic Main Street. The tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. at Skinner Field, next to Bev’s Better Burgers.

Is Christmas on Main in Alachua free?

The event site lists the horse-and-carriage rides and the train ride as free, and it publishes no entry charge.

How do I book photos with Santa at Christmas on Main?

Pick a time slot on the Christmas on Main website and enter your email address; one reservation per household. Arrive 15 minutes early. If every slot fills, families without a booking are still welcome and will be worked in where possible.

When is the Alachua Christmas parade?

The Alachua Chamber of Commerce holds the city’s Christmas parade on the second Saturday of December, starting at 11 a.m. on Main Street.