City of Gainesville planning underway for third annual A Very GNV Holiday Parade
Press release from the City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Planning is in full swing for the third annual A Very GNV (GEE-en-vee) Holiday Parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The popular event once again will bring music, color, and celebration to downtown Gainesville beginning at noon, followed by a holiday dance party, tree lighting at the Thomas Center, and carriage rides through the Duckpond neighborhood.
Since its debut in 2023, A Very GNV Holiday Parade has grown into a signature seasonal tradition. Last year’s festivities featured more than 110 entries, including floats, dance troupes, school bands, and faith-based and civic organizations. The family-friendly event drew thousands of spectators to University Avenue, where volunteers and community groups brought holiday cheer to life.
As this year’s planning continues, the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce is again serving as fiscal agent and managing sponsorship registrations. Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels, with recognition opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who want to contribute to one of Gainesville’s most visible and joyful community celebrations.
Organizations and businesses can learn more by visiting the Chamber page for parade support and sponsorship opportunities.
Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut, who led the effort to create the holiday parade and now serves as its champion, emphasized the community spirit the event fosters.
“This parade has become a beloved part of our holiday season,” said Commissioner Chestnut. “It’s a celebration of everything Gainesville has to offer — families, students, churches, schools, and businesses all coming together. It’s about joy, pride, and visibility, and it’s the most unifying event we host all year.”
In addition to its community impact, the parade provides a timely boost for downtown merchants, restaurants, and local service providers. With thousands of visitors arriving to celebrate, the area receives higher levels of foot traffic and exposure while the holiday season gets underway.
“Events like this don’t just build memories — they help build our local economy,” said City Manager Cynthia W. Curry. “When people come downtown to enjoy a free, community-centered event, they also discover shops, dine out, stop at food vendors, and share the experience with others. The impact is wide-reaching.”
Manager Curry added that under her direction, City departments are working to fine-tune logistics and safety measures to ensure a smooth, accessible, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is coordinating a full calendar of holiday programming to complement the parade. Live performances, youth activities, lighting displays, and other winter festivities are in the works, with more details to come later this year.
As a fiscally responsible municipality, the City of Gainesville relies on community donations and business sponsorships to bring the parade to life. Those interested in supporting the event are encouraged to get involved early to secure sponsorship benefits and help shape one of Gainesville’s most meaningful seasonal traditions.
Those wishing to appear in the parade procession can register their entry through a form available on the parade website.
“GNV (GEE-en-vee)”
We are witnessing peak idiocracy
G could be Gays. V could be Vagrants. Still trying to figure out N.
“A Very GNV Holiday Parade”
Now….can you imagine what a ‘very GNV parade’ would look like.
Bums, and fruits & nuts ending in section 8 gunfire.
Ah. The parade where you can’t say Christmas.
Why are the Democrat politicians so against the words ‘Christmas Parade’? Do they think it would cause a riot? I can’t even think of another city that has a city parade, but not call it a Christmas Parade.
Being leftist, pro-trans, pro-groomer, anti-Christian (sometimes practicing Satanists), anti-borders, anti-male, and anti-patriotic all go in the same bucket. The city shoots off fireworks on NYE and never on Independence Day -same idea.
Perhaps the parade could stop at McPherson park where thousands could participate in riots and shootings
Speaking of TB McPherson Park, any updates on the Easter Day murder investigation? Justice for Ontaria Baisden!
Clear picture of shooter but no one knows him. Thousands of thugs running but no one recognizes him.
Free? Whats this party costing the tax payers? I would rather have Christmas lights at major intersections around the city…like Univ & 13th, etc.
This is a press release from the city, yikes! Way to pat yourselves on the back. I almost thought a journalist wrote this. Let’s see, $35,000 for a holiday parade, $130,000 for the medevial festival, gee that’s only $165,000 squandered. Wait they also have dropped a cool million or two suing ourselves over GRU. Oh my gosh, imagine if it was just the make believe GRU money then it would only be, wait for it, $2,165,000 of our taxpayers money down a crap hole. These people need to go.
Gee, all the civic pride from the haters here is overwhelming, as if Gainesville isn’t among the most educated cities in America and accordingly also has among the most educated, sophisticated, and diverse populations in the country and the state. We also have championship level collegiate sports teams to follow in almost every season and spin off cultural events – many free – along with the state’s Museum of Natural History, a delight for kids and adults. All of this also means spin-off businesses of varied and unique focus, not to mention highly educated young people, many of whom choose to never leave.
But hey, Ocala and Lake City are just up and down the road, so take off if you don’t like it here.