Light Up Tioga

Photograph of Christmas Tree with people standing around

About Light Up Tioga

This year’s Light Up Tioga will be held Saturday, December 5th from 5-8pm, and all proceeds will benefit United Way North Central Florida!

As always, this event is free, and open to the public! The magical setup from ThemeWorks is back, so don’t miss your chance to take a picture on the rooftop with Santa, and climb up to the chimney for an extra special photo opp you won’t see anywhere else! Plus, the Holiday Market is back! There will also be Local Vendors with Prizes & Giveaways, Free Family-Friendly Activities, Festive Characters, Naughty & Nice Lanes, Face Painting, Balloon Artists, Music from our friends at Kiss 105.3, Food Trucks, of course the Tree Lighting, and so much more to enjoy for everyone! Plus, many of the amazing Tioga businesses, shops, bars, and restaurants will be open. Come explore, and experience magic around every corner with us at Light Up Tioga 2026!

Fill the Sleigh for United Way NCFL

It’s also the Season of Giving! Help us create impact for United Way of North Central Florida as we ‘Fill the Sleigh for United Way’ once again. We invite you to contribute by donating new, unwrapped books and toys for children of all ages. Wishlist items include Puzzles, Crafts, Sports Equipment, Board Games, Bicycles, Scooters, Art Supplies, Books, Journals, Toys, S.T.E.A.M Kits, Electronic Accessories, Clothing Accessories, Hair & Beauty Products, and Fragrance Kits (male & female). Donated items will be distributed by UWNCFL to families in need this holiday season. Broken or used toys will not be accepted. Thank you in advance for you participation and for helping us spread joy and create impact for our community together this holiday season! It takes all of us working together to create a seamless tapestry of support to build a better and more resilient community.

Make a Difference This Holiday Season

United Way North Central Florida (UWNCFL) seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around North Central Florida to advance the common good. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in North Central Florida can reach their full potential. UWNCFL serves a six-county area (Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy and Union). In addition, United Way is a natural leader and convener of broad community building. UWNCFL engages within our community to find long-term solutions for issues impacting all residents in the areas of Health, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security and Community Resiliency. UWNCFL is committed to collaborating with all segments of the community to build partnerships and help fill the needs in our community.

Get involved and help us make a difference! Volunteer here, or Donate here!

Become a Sponsor

Each year, Light Up Tioga draws thousands of attendees from Greater Gainesville and beyond, providing businesses with a premium marketing and brand awareness opportunity. In addition, Tioga Town Center will promote your participation through website, email, social media, radio advertising, digital advertising and more. Place your business front and center at this year's Light Up Tioga. 

Sponsor Information

Sponsors are responsible for their own tent, table, and setup. Power will not be available, so please plan for power and lighting accordingly. Business & Market Sponsorships include a 10' x 10' exhibitor space. Food Truck Sponsorships include a 10' x 20' space. Business Vendors: In order to participate in this event, you must provide a free family-friendly holiday activity or giveaway. Tioga Town Center reserves the right to refuse vendors and will limit the number of vendors, and crafters selling similar items, on a first come, first serve basis. There is a $95 Sponsorship Fee for Business & Market Vendors and a $125 Sponsorship Fee for Food Trucks. 100% of Sponsorship Fees go directly to United Way North Central Florida.

Please Note: Completing the Form below is an application to exhibit ONLY and is NOT a guarantee of your acceptance to participate. Tioga Town Center will reply to your application within 5 business days at which time you will then be asked to pay your Sponsorship fee. DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IS NOVEMBER 14, 2026. For questions, please call (352) 331-4000. Once approved, you will be contacted for payment. The Sponsorship Fee is non-refundable in the case of Event Cancellation or Rescheduling due to weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

 

2026 Sponsorship Application Form

Please list name as you would like for it to appear in marketing efforts.
Select Sponsorship Type
$95 due upon approval
$95 due upon approval
$125 due upon approval
Event Rules

 

  1. All transactions between the Vendor and customer are the responsibility of the Vendor. Vendors must have their own change funds. The customer has the right to request and receive a receipt. The collection and remittance of Florida Sales Tax is the responsibility of each exhibitor. Sales tax questions should be directed to Florida Department of Revenue, 386-418-4444.
     
  2. Exhibits must be set by event opening and staffed by individuals over the age of 18 until event closes. Vendors must use the loading, unloading and parking areas designated. Blocking of the loading/unloading area or parking in customer parking will be considered a violation of Event Rules.
     
  3. All merchandise and display equipment must fit in the marked space of the booth (10’ x 10’booth). There will be no storage area supplied. Vendors must ensure there are no disruptions emitting from their booth. Vendors ARE NOT ALLOWED to block the sidewalks by sitting outside of their booth space, please plan your layout accordingly knowing you need to sit/stand within your space.
     
  4. Misuse/abuse of the Tioga Town Center, its staff, or any of its equipment will be grounds for immediate dismissal.
     
  5. Rules are subject to change. Continued participation of the Vendor is at the discretion of the event staff.
     
  6. Vendor shall protect, maintain, save and hold harmless the Tioga Town Center, Tioga Center LLC, or Hankin Group, their officers, agents, servants and employees from and against any and all claims, demands, expense and liabilities arising out of injury or death to any person, or the damage, loss or destruction of any property which may occur in or about the venue (including any portion thereof which vendor has not been given the right to occupy or use pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or which may arise or in any way grow out of any act or omission of vendor, its agents, invitees and patrons’ use and occupancy of venue. FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES/REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL AND WILL FORFEIT FUTURE PARTICIPATION. 
By signing, you agree and understand each exhibiting business is a vendor at will and will not hold Tioga Town Center, Tioga Center LLC, or Hankin Group, liable for any damages to persons or products which might occur during this event. You also agree to and understand all Event Rules above.

United Way North Central Florida is recognized under the IRS as exempt under section 501c3 and is registered with the Florida Division of Consumer Services, license number CH471. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800- 435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

 

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