Arts

Entrance to Munn Park with trees, benches, and signage
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.
February 25, 2026 02:30 PM
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Staff
Screen Shot 2019-07-22 at 2.33.19 PM
Culture
Give these Lakeland live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
April 30, 2024
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Ben McBee
Entrance to Munn Park with trees, benches, and signage
Experience
Spring events happening in and around Lakeland
Check out spring and flower-themed events happening in and around Swan City in this seasonal guide.
February 29, 2024
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Brianna Williams
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
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More from LALtoday
A Christmas parade float is decorated with red and white glitter, realistic looking reindeer, and a sleigh. Santa and Mrs. Claus sit in the sleigh, waving to guests above and below the float.
Events
Our Lakeland Christmas Parade pro tips
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Check out what you can expect for the 44th annual parade, taking place Thursday, Dec. 4.
December 1, 2025
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Staff
The Wish Farms stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds
Culture
The stage is set: Florida Strawberry Festival’s 2026 entertainers
See who will take the stage in Plant City when the festival returns in February 2026.
November 26, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
The open door entrance of a small business, with a "SHOP SMALL" welcome mat and shelves of merchandise visible inside.
Business
Our Lakeland-based Small Business Saturday shopping picks
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
November 25, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
An aerial photo of a crowded fall street festival with white tents, vendors, and people walking in downtown Lakeland.
City
Look back on fall in Lakeland’s photo archives
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive autumn memories from years gone by.
November 24, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
Swan City Improv's future building, a white and turquoise painted church with a gray roof and a spire against a clear blue sky.
Culture
Swan City Improv opening a comedy club in downtown Lakeland
The Comedy Cathedral is set to open by spring 2026 with entertainment, classes, and community events designed to keep Lakeland laughing.
November 20, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
A silhouetted runner on Lake Hollingsworth at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Turkey Trots and Thanksgiving runs around Lakeland
You won’t find an official Turkey Trot in Lakeland, but there are plenty of fun runs and nearby races to break a seasonal sweat.
November 20, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
The Terrace Grille's dining room has plush orange chairs, large windows, and two glasses of white wine on the table.
Food
Dine in or carry-out Thanksgiving dinner in Lakeland
Here’s a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
November 17, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
The front exterior of the Spanish Colonial-style Ludd Spivey House with a stucco facade, arched windows, and a terracotta tile roof.
Real Estate
Influential Lakelander’s home hits the market
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
November 11, 2025
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Connor Jacobson
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City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
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Staff