Make your to-do list, check it twice, and plan ahead for these local closures on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31), and New Year’s Day (Wednesday, Jan. 1).
City + county services
City of Lakeland offices — including Lakeland Electric — and Polk County offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
City trash collection will happen on your usual day. Polk County will shift Wednesday-Friday pickups one day later.
All Polk County Tax Collector offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 23-Wednesday, Dec. 25 and on New Year’s Day.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Polk County Public Schools students will start the spring semester. Teachers and staff will return earlier in the week.
Shopping
Publix stores will close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and stay closed on Christmas Day. They will also close early on New Year’s Eve + New Year’s Day.
Walmart will be open on Sunday, Dec. 24, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., but closed on Christmas Day.
Target has extended its shopping hours until 12 a.m. up until Christmas Eve, when it will close its doors at 8 p.m. All stores will be closed on Christmas Day.
Aldi will close early at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Both Lakeland stores will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Recreation + dining
City libraries, recreation centers, and parks will follow different closure schedules, so check before you head to your favorite space. Most county recreation spots will be open on holidays, though offices will be closed.
Bonnet Springs Park will open for its normal hours + Light Up BSP event on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. On Christmas Day, the park will be closed.
Not feeling the traditional dinner? Head to one of these restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day, from the all-you-can-eat dinner at Sushi Masa to tried-and-true diner fare at Cozy Oaks.
Take in the lights by foot or in a drive-through experience.
Photo by @cnc.photos
What to do
If you’re entertaining family (or need a break from them), we recommend a trip to one of these top attractions for holiday lights. Don’t forget to mark these final days to visit so you don’t get caught in the cold.
- Snowy Nights at Lakeside Village | Saturday, Dec. 21
- Thormeier Family Christmas Lights | Saturday, Dec. 21
- Ariana Village Christmas Lights | Monday, Dec. 23
- Christmas Lane | Tuesday, Dec. 24
- Christmas Hayride | Tuesday, Dec. 24
- The Wonderland of Lights | Sunday, Dec. 29
- George Street Christmas Lights Tours | Monday, Dec. 30
- Light Up BSP | Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Santa’s House by the Bigda’s | Tuesday, Dec. 31
Lakeland is full of experiences that just get even more special around the holidays, so save our guides to dining, the outdoors, shopping, and events. We also love taking a quick drive to explore our nearby cities — or a road trip to live out our dreams of a “Christmas Vacation.”
