Culture

A sign showing a vintage label for Moccasin Brand citrus with a drawing of a boot. Decorative oranges line the sign.
City
Your roadmap to the Polk County Citrus Label Tour
Take a bite out of the local citrus industry’s history with a self-guided tour of labels found around Polk County.
March 18, 2026 12:25 PM
 · 
Kaylee Holland
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
A woman stands on the shore of Lake Morton in Lakeland, FL feeding the swans.
Sponsored
‘Greater Lakeland’ episode 2 is swan of a kind
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Brick condo building with large windows, gabled roof, surrounded by palm and oak trees, located near Lake Morton.
Real Estate
See inside 3 condos coming soon by Lake Morton
The couple behind this new condominium building are looking for the perfect buyer + neighbor to fill the final floor in Lake Morton Place.
May 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a Publix supermarket features a green, lit sign, outdoor seating area, and a sunset sky in the background
Business
How would Lakelanders make Publix shopping better?
We’re giving Lakelanders the reins to dream up their own store features and items that would make shopping at Publix more of a pleasure.
May 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior view of the Lakeland Amtrak train station
Travel and Outdoors
Pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland
Get our best tips to navigating the Amtrak station, finding routes, and buying tickets.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the Lakeland Fishing Outfitters Tackle Shop which was the original location of Red Lobster, viewed from the parking lot.
Business
How Red Lobster got its start in Lakeland
As the seafood chain announces plans to close restaurants nationwide, take a look back at how Red Lobster first started in Lakeland, FL.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
New Publix store under construction at Lake Miriam Square, with wood framing, concrete walls, parked vehicles, and equipment.
Business
Lakeland’s ‘prototype’ Publix: What’s coming to Lake Miriam Square
See what’s planned for Publix’s newly rebuilt store that could give us a glimpse into the future of grocery shopping.
May 12, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the RP Funding Center, viewed from in front of rose bushes.
Experience
15+ upcoming concerts headed to Lakeland
AC/DC tribute? Check. Marshall Tucker Band? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
May 12, 2025
LAL-Mister-Fish-laltoday
Food
Get a taste of the sea at these Lakeland area restaurants
Whether you’re making dinner plans and craving lobster rolls or looking for your local fish market, check out this list of seafood eateries and distributors in and around Lakeland.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Pastel storefront of "Bloom Shakalaka" and "East of These" with pink awning, green doors, and vibrant pink floral decor.
Sponsored
Pass the mic: 3 questions with Lakeland’s small business owners
We’re rounding out a week of small business features by asking owners what it’s like to live + work in Lakeland.
Sponsored by
Pole dance studio with wood floors, mirrored wall, neon signs, and chrome poles evenly spaced throughout.
Sponsored
Try this: 12 unique Lakeland small businesses worth experiencing
While we love our Lakeland small biz staples, think outside the box and check out these 12 small bizzes that are carving their own path.
Sponsored by
Shoppers browse fine art at an outdoor art festival. Each artist is set up in a small white tent with a domed top set up in the grass by a road.
Events
Headed to Mayfaire by-the-Lake? Save these pro tips.
From where to park to must-do activities, here are the top things you need to know if you’re planning to attend the Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival.
May 7, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms