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Lights surrounding Lake Mirror at night time in Lakeland, FL
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.
October 30, 2025 02:37 PM
 · 
Staff
A photo of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, except a swan from Lakeland is the centerpiece of the Tom Turkey float.
Culture
Our Lakeland take on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
We’re re-imagining this annual parade to be entirely themed after the Swan City.
November 22, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Lights surrounding Lake Mirror at night time in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Embrace your inner night owl: Late night Lakeland activities
Who says there has to be sun to have fun in Swan City?
November 6, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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
A lake at dusk in Lakeland with night lights illuminating and city buildings in the background.
Culture
Lakeland’s hottest trends for summer 2024
“brat summer” is unofficially over, so we’re looking back on what was really hot in Lakeland thanks to Google Trends search results.
September 6, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
The exterior of a white and black building on North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. A sign reads "The Yard on Mass."
Real Estate
What should come next to the former Yard on Mass space?
The City of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is on the hunt for the next tenant to take over the space on North Massachusetts Avenue.
August 30, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Long jumper Monae' Nichols poses on a boat on the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sports
Dreaming of gold: Olympians with ties to Lakeland competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Swan City is well represented on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — these are some local Olympians to watch.
August 7, 2024
 · 
Staff
A graphic reading "lakeland" in black text on a bright green background
Culture
What’s a “brat summer” and how do I have one in Lakeland?
Thanks to Charli xcx’s hit pop album, we’re here to decode why “brat” is all over the airwaves, internet, and right outside your front door.
August 7, 2024
 · 
Madison McMillen
A tour buis colored in red and blue ombre wrapping with the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" logo on the side, as seen through a rainy car windshield.
Culture
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” bus spotted in Lakeland
The home renovation show is making a comeback this year — and it looks like the team could be kicking things off in Swan City.
August 6, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Lightning in dark cloudy sky over trees and streetlights on a rainy day in Lakeland, FL
Travel and Outdoors
The best way to spend a rainy day in Lakeland
Florida Thunderstorm Season runs from May 25 to Oct. 10 in West Central Florida. You don’t have to stay inside when rainy days come — keep exploring Lakeland with these indoor activities.
August 5, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A path through Hollis Garden with trees on either side
Culture
Spend a day like a Bridgerton in Lakeland
If the newest season of “Bridgerton” has you wishing for a bygone era, allow us to impart wisdom on how to recreate a Regency-inspired day in Swan City.
June 25, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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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