Arts

The Wish Farms stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds
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.
January 27, 2026 02:18 PM
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Staff
Slideshow of photographs and paintings by Imogen Cunningham and Steven Kenny
Sponsored
👀 Inside two new exhibitions coming to the Polk Museum of Art this spring + summer
Lakelanders can see the stunning works of Imogen Cunningham now through July 15 and Steven Kenny now through August 6.
Sponsored by
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Sponsored
Mayfaire by-the-Lake is back
The free, two-day festival is a staple of the Florida art scene and has ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years running.
Sponsored by
A white fountain moves water from pool to pool, framed by palm trees.
Culture
Lakeland is in its Eras era
We’ve matched some of Taylor Swift’s lyrics to our favorite local sites and stories.
April 11, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
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Arts
Asked: Where would you put Lakeland’s next mural?
Where do you think an artist should pull out a paintbrush next?
April 3, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
A conductor stands before the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, baton raised.
Arts
Holiday performances in Lakeland, FL
A guide to holiday concerts, shows, ballets, and performances around Lakeland, Florida.
November 22, 2022
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Sponsored
Get to know the Polk Arts + Cultural Alliance
Sponsored by
An aerial view of the South Lake Morton neighborhood, featuring a large lake surrounded by a street, homes, and a church
Real Estate
Neighborhood Guide: South Lake Morton
From a swan-filled lake to mid-century modern architecture, see why South Lake Morton was named one of Lakeland’s top neighborhoods.
September 2, 2022
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Connor Jacobson
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Food
The Art & Wine Walk in Lakeland, FL
November 13, 2020
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Katelyn Lewis
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Culture
Polk Museum of Art’s newest exhibit: Hindsight 2020
October 13, 2020
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Kaylee Holland
Screen Shot 2019-08-07 at 3.03.07 PM
City
West Lake Parker Drive’s historic art walk in Lakeland, FL
August 8, 2019
 · 
Kaylee Holland
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More from LALtoday
A decorative wooden frame covered with a variety of orange, white, and gray pumpkins, with a sign reading "FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE."
Culture
Fall fun around Lakeland: Corn mazes, pumpkin patches + haunted houses
Ring in the season with a trip to one of these fall-exclusive spots for the whole family.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A statue of the headless horseman on a black horse in front of the entrance to a "Legends of Halloween" haunted hayride.
Events
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail returns to Plant City
Halloween lovers and scaredy-cats alike will find something to enjoy at this popular Plant City attraction.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The one-story warehouse-style building with a white exterior, multiple large garage doors, and a parking lot that will be Baseline pickleball
Business
Baseline pickleball + dining concept coming to Lakeland’s East Main District
Hit the courts and grab a bite at this development, helmed by local entrepreneurs and pickleball fanatics.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
By the numbers: Lakeland’s 2026 fiscal year budget
The City of Lakeland has finalized its 2026 budget before the next fiscal year begins — let’s take a look at the $815 million bottom line.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
What we “unfortunately do love” in Lakeland
From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, the “unfortunately do love” social media trend is taking over the internet — and we want your input.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
Two pumpkin spice lattes in mugs on table with a pumpkin muffin
Food
Where to find all things pumpkin spice in Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice or fall-flavored treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial satellite image above Lakeland. Green land and lakes surround the city, which is labeled with a blue arrow. There are blue lines heading in each direction — north, east, south, and west_ stretching out beyond the edges of the map.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Lakeland’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of LAL, cities across the world await.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
An aerial view of the Eaglebrooke Golf Course in Lakeland, FL. There is a green in the foreground and sand traps, water hazards, and trees in the background.
Experience
Tee it up at these Lakeland golf courses
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Cat George
Four runners sprint quickly on a track as a spectator watches from behind a fence. The runners are wearing athletic gear and competitor number bibs.
City
3 interesting facts from the Polk County Community Health Assessment
Polk Vision published the assessment in June 2025 after 18 months of data collection.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A bright, sunny photo of the Subs 'n Such restaurant sign, a local business with an old-fashioned feel.
Food
Dine on history at Lakeland’s oldest restaurants
Take a bite of Lakeland’s past at these restaurants that have stood the test of time.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson