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A downtown Lakeland street lined with tents selling farmers market goods. Trees hang over the street.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Lakeland
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
August 27, 2025 03:03 PM
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Staff
Actor and wrestler John Cena is seen on set of a commercial being filmed in Lakeland. He wears a blue bathrobe, white shirt, dark pants, and holds a coffee mug. Production workers stand around him behind a short hedge, and they're surrounded by lighting rigging.
Culture
John Cena visits Lakeland for a commercial shoot
The actor and wrestler stopped by a Swan City staple to fuel up before heading to work.
February 7, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
History
A brief history of Frank Lloyd Wright’s relationship with Florida Southern College
You probably recognize some of these silhouettes from Lakeland tea towels and keychains, but do you know the history of how they came to be?
January 4, 2024
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Rilee Delgado
A sunset over Lake Bonny in Lakeland, FL with a palm tree silhouette in the foreground
Culture
Try this: LALtoday’s Picture of the Year contest
We’re commemorating 2023 the best way we know how — highlighting local photos through our LALtoday Picture of the Year contest.
January 2, 2024
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Emily Shea-Owen
A sunset over Lake Mirror with the downtown Lakeland skyline in the background
Culture
That’s a wrap: LALtoday’s top stories of 2023
We’ve brought you Lakeland’s top stories all year long, but which articles were you most interested in? See what took the top spot in categories like development, food + drink, real estate, and more.
December 21, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
Dixieland
Real Estate
Neighborhood guide: Dixieland in Lakeland, FL
From historic homes to a flourishing small business scene, there’s something for residents and visitors alike to explore in Dixieland.
November 15, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
A portrait of artist Ahmad H. Taylor
Culture
10 questions with artist Ahmad H. Taylor
We sat down with Ahmad to learn about his local roots, latest ventures, and what he would do to spark Lakeland’s arts scene.
November 13, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
A concert taking place on an outdoor stage at Bonnet Springs Park
Culture
Our readers plan their dream Lakeland music festival
If Lakeland hosted your dream music festival, what would it be like? Our readers put on their event producer hats and share their ideal scenarios.
November 9, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
The band Canned Heat performs onstage at a music festival
Culture
Looking back on the Florida Sunfest music festival of 1977
Did you know that Lakeland once hosted the largest music festival in the state? Learn the history of 1977’s Florida Sunfest, plus a reader’s own story of how it all went down.
October 16, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
Two women look at a featured painting at The Polk Museum of Art.
Sponsored
Your weekend assignment: Explore The Polk Museum of Art
Sponsored by
People dressed in retro attire dancing under neon lights
Culture
Dance the night away at these Lakeland spots and events
In the mood to bust a move? Shimmy down to these local spots and events for open dance floors, performances, and dancing lessons.
May 23, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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A hand holds a cruffin topped with cream and chocolate chips in front of a lake
Food
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts
When cravings hit, level up your dessert game at one of these local sweet shops and makers in Lakeland.
June 5, 2025
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Rilee Delgado
A loggia with gated arches and columns on the Frances Langford Promenade under a clear blue sky.
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s most iconic landmarks
We’re giving you the 411 on the 863’s landmarks — from the Southgate Sign to “Sputnik.”
June 4, 2025
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Staff
Several RVs parked in the trees surrounding a pond at Flamingo Camping Site in the Everglades National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Take an ad-van-ture to these RV camping spots around Lakeland
Get a taste of the camping life with these seven RV parks + campgrounds around Swan City.
June 4, 2025
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Amelia Grooms
LAL_west_pipkin_road_widening_APR2025
City
Decide what’s next for Polk transportation
Join the Polk Transportation Planning Organization’s Envision 2050 meeting to help plan the future of local transportation.
June 3, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
People attend a Polk Pride event with a rainbow Polk Pride FL banner in the background
Culture
Polk Pride is back: Here’s the 2025 event roundup
Check out the event lineup, from family-friendly events in the park to interfaith celebrations and dance parties.
June 2, 2025
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Staff
Palm trees blowing in hard wind in the foreground, with a dark cloudy sky and the Summit Building in downtown Lakeland in the background.
City
Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland
Hurricane season officially begins on Sunday, June 1 and will run through Sunday, Nov. 30. We’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready in Lakeland.
May 30, 2025
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Rilee Delgado
Ducks and birds on grass in foreground with Lake Mirror and Lakeland skyline
New to Lakeland
What’s new and coming soon to Lakeland
As Lakeland continues to grow, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming developments and recently opened businesses.
May 30, 2025
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Staff
Screen Shot 2020-05-05 at 4.28.47 PM
Experience
Museums in Lakeland
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or aviation fan, these nine museums around Lakeland have it all.
May 30, 2025
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Staff
Two hands toast with a glass of margarita and a glass of sangria on an outdoor patio.
Food
Celebration-worthy Lakeland restaurants
From graduations to rehearsal dinners to corporate parties, we’re sharing the top reader recommended spots for celebration-worthy eateries.
May 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Screen Shot 2020-01-28 at 9.02.23 PM
Culture
Polk County’s historic theatres: Smelling bananas, Wayne Brady, and 35 cents
Look back on the first places to catch a movie on the big screen or see a live performance at these historic theatres around Polk County.
May 29, 2025
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Kaylee Holland