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
Three colorful cocktails sitting on a bar
Food
We tried July’s Cocktails for Charity at The Back Nine
A dollar from the sale of these cocktails will be donated to a different charity each month.
July 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Photo of Chalet Suzanne in 2009
History
The history of the now-extinct Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales
How one woman transformed a community, put Lake Wales on the map, and sent her soup to the moon.
July 5, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A sign showing a vintage label for Moccasin Brand citrus with a drawing of a boot. Decorative oranges line the sign.
Food
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.
July 3, 2023
 · 
Kaylee Holland
An unfinished digital jigsaw puzzle of the Red, Whit & Kaboom event in Lakeland, FL
Events
How fast can you solve this Red, White & Kaboom puzzle?
We’ve given you all the pieces you need for a challenge.
June 30, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland during an evening baseball game. A dark cloud lingers in the blue sky, blocking the sunset.
Sports
Summer baseball forecast
You won’t want to miss these upcoming baseball games from our local Minor League Baseball team, the Flying Tigers.
June 30, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Cloudy sky over downtown Lakeland, FL streets and businesses
City
Lakeland reacts to four-way stops downtown
The first round of intersection transformations took place in January 2023, and it looks like more could be on the way — here’s how our readers feel about the changes to driving downtown.
June 23, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A latte from Hillcrest Coffee
Food
LALtoday is hosting Drink Up Month in July to celebrate local beverages and beverage makers
Throughout the month of July, LALtoday will be sharing content celebrating the beverage industry in the Lakeland community.
June 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at sunset in Lakeland, FL
City
How do Polk County residents rate their quality of life?
The results are in from the United Community Needs Assessment — see how Polk residents rate their quality of life in different categories.
June 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Culture
The Wonder House — Polk County’s historic castle
This mystical Mann Road mammoth has an interesting history — learn more about its lore and how you can see it for yourself below.
June 7, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A bright blue ocean on a sunny day spreads before a mountain range in the distance.
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s 5 sister cities will surprise and inspire you
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in Japan or Jamaica.
June 7, 2023
 · 
Kaylee Holland
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More from LALtoday
A letter sign outside Andrew's Coffee at night reading "Creepy doll fall, coming soon."
Food
Fall + Halloween seasonal menus have arrived in Lakeland
Cozy new food + drink options are warming up at eateries around Swan City. Try these seasonal menus before they’re gone.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL_lakemortonpumpkins_OCT2024
City
Lakeland neighborhoods as top Halloween candies
Welcome to Lakeland — Candy Land version.
October 25, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Devin Stephenson poses with the school's Phoenix mascot.
City
Meet Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Polytechnic University President
Get to know the school + its new president, his goals for the institution, and the most surprising thing about being a new Lakelander.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A map showing which streets are open and closed during Lake Bonny flood mitigation
City
Relief coming for flooded Lake Bonny residents
The City of Lakeland is enacting a plan to pump out water, mitigating flooding for those living around Lake Bonny in east Lakeland.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
A hand holds a starfruit pastry in front of a paper bag with "Bandidas" written on it.
Food
Eat down the street: Edgewood Drive 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.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
LAL_hurricanemilton_OCT2024
City
“Insurance village” now open to help Lakelanders after Hurricane Milton
Insurance representatives will be available to assist with filing claims daily at the RP Funding Center until further notice.
October 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms