Culture

A crowd sits in camping chairs watching fireworks over Lake Mirror during Red, White & Kaboom Lakeland event. Trees and street lights block part of the view.
Events
Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
We’ve got the ultimate list of Lakeland events you don’t want to miss out on each year. Mark your calendar for these community celebrations.
January 16, 2026 01:47 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A photo of the exterior of Foster's Hollywood in Spain.
Food
Remembering Foster’s Hollywood, Lakeland’s taste of Tinseltown
While the restaurant only had a location in Lakeland for a little over a year, it made its mark on our readers + followers.
October 31, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An artist paints an abstract design on a large canvas at Art Crawl. The artist wears a bandana, glasses, and lanyard.
Events
Brush up on Lakeland’s Art Crawl festival
Here’s everything you need to know about Art Crawl, Lakeland’s free outdoor art festival for the whole family.
October 31, 2024
 · 
Staff
Exterior view of The Joinery decorated with fake skeletons climbing the walls
Culture
Lakeland’s most haunting Halloween stories
Get into the Halloween spirit with these terrifying tales from around Central Florida.
October 30, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Glow in the dark axes and targets at Ax Caliber
Culture
Six ways to spend an hour in Lakeland
Get active, learn something, or treat yourself — here’s how you can make the most of just one hour around Lakeland.
October 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL_lakemortonpumpkins_OCT2024
City
Lakeland neighborhoods as top Halloween candies
Welcome to Lakeland — Candy Land version.
October 25, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Screen Shot 2021-10-28 at 10.22.31 AM
Culture
Our readers’ Lakeland horror dating stories
We get it — dating is scary. Share your horror dating stories from around Lakeland that still haunt you to this day.
October 23, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
Culture
Haunted landmarks in Polk County
If you’ve ever felt a chill in your spine when frequenting these locales around Lakeland, there’s likely a good reason.
October 21, 2024
 · 
Kaylee Holland
Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 12.33.37 PM
Culture
Meet the three ghosts that haunt the Polk Theatre
If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the Polk Theatre, chances are you were simultaneously taking a ghost tour — and didn’t even know it.
October 17, 2024
 · 
Kaylee Holland
The exterior of the RP Funding Center, viewed from in front of rose bushes.
Culture
Celebrating 50 years of the RP Funding Center
With this local event venue reaching the 50-year mark, we’re looking back on the biggest acts to visit the RP Funding Center.
October 16, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Copy of LAL-Lead Story Image Crop.png
City
Voting in Lakeland on Election Day
Learn all about casting your vote in the upcoming elections, including voting locations and candidates.
October 15, 2024
 · 
Staff
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Travel and Outdoors
Celebrating Earth Day in Lakeland
From volunteer opportunities to special events, here’s how you can celebrate the planet around Swan City.
April 21, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Little Bus Books mobile bookshop
Culture
Local bookstore owners present the Lakeland Book Crawl
Finding our next read and supporting local independent book sellers? We’re in.
April 18, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
A rendering of modern multi-story townhomes with balconies and a car parked on the street.
Real Estate
Live in lakefront luxury with these upcoming Lake Hollingsworth condos
The Row on Lake Hollingsworth will consist of four units with premier views of Lake Hollingsworth + a private boat slip.
April 17, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The boathouse at Bonnet Springs Park
Travel and Outdoors
A beginner’s guide to Bonnet Springs Park
If it’s your first time visiting this award-winning Lakeland attraction, allow us to create your perfect park day.
April 17, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Two slices of pizza and garlic knots from Palace Pizza
Food
Eat down the street: Kentucky Avenue restaurants
Discover one of Lakeland’s hidden gems or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time on the next street in this series.
April 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Interior of Pressed Books with books on shelves and tables
An introvert’s guide to Lakeland
Want to be more social, but hate the idea of chatting up a stranger? Try these activities for introverts in Lakeland.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A bright blue, frame vernacular-style house in the Lake Morton neighborhood shaded by a tall tree under a blue sky.
Real Estate
Create your own Lake Morton Historic Home + Garden Tour
This year’s tour may have been canceled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore one of Lakeland’s oldest neighborhoods on your own.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Plates of barbecue meat with sides on trays
Food
Goodbye gluten: Lakeland restaurants with gluten-free options
No matter why you’re avoiding it, you can find new eats without gluten here.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Kaylee Holland
A photo of West Pipkin Road closed with barricades and cones due to construction.
City
What Lakelanders should know about the West Pipkin widening project
We’re breaking down the who, what, when, and why behind this major road construction project in southwest Lakeland.
April 11, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms