Lucky you. You just found LALtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place in and around Lakeland each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.
Seasonal events
Harvest, Hoops and Boots | Friday, Sept. 5 | 4-8 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Break out your boots and bring the sparkle with cider sipping, line dancing, and shimmering cowgirl fun.
First Friday: Septober Fest | Friday, Sept. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free+ | Turn up the polka beats for this festive block party.
Historic Bartow Ghost Stroll | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7 p.m. | Unfiltered Coffee House, Bartow | $20 | Stroll downtown Bartow’s historic streets and learn about its paranormal past.
Bienvenido a BSP - Hispanic Heritage Celebration | Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 27 | Times vary | Bonnet Springs Park | Free+ | This event is expanding to two days of family activities and live entertainment, with headliner Cortadito — new this year, $10 preferred parking inside the park.
More than 70 vendors and rock bands will be at this fall’s Punk Flea.
Photo by @lakelandpunkflea
Markets + shopping
Orchid Jungle Show and Sale | Saturday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland | $5 | Shop for orchids + plant supplies, and browse beautiful floral displays.
A Bewitching Ladies Night | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 5:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $10 | Businesses will stay open late for shopping, sipping, and socializing — tickets include a complimentary glass of bubbly.
Punk Rock Flea | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Shop all things counter culture and rock out to live music at this family-friendly event.
There are plenty of opportunities to race around Lake Hollingsworth this month.
Photo by @bigmanadventures72
Get active
Leading Edge Take Heart 5K | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 7-9:30 a.m. | Lake Mirror Promenade | $45+ | Run an updated route around downtown Lakeland, or opt for the new 10K race to get more steps.
RCE Foundation 2025 Pickleball Unites Event | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Grasslands Golf & Country Club | $25+ | Smash for a cause and raise money for Pickleball Unites — the winner of the Champions Bracket will net $1,000.
Tour de Tow Cycling Event | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | Front Page Brewing, Bartow | $30+ | Take a ride down Bartow’s most scenic roads to raise money for bikes for kids in need.
POWer in Pink 5K | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7:30 a.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland | $35 | The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida hosts its first 5K since becoming a fully independent nonprofit organization.
2025 Tick Tock Ultra | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7 a.m.-7 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park | $100+ | Log as many laps around Lake Hollingsworth as you can within six or 12 hours.
The Lakeland Center, Lakeland Civic Center, RP Funding Center — whatever you call it, celebrate its history this month.
Photo by @lakelandgov
Get social
50th Anniversary Open House | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 1-5 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free | Celebrate half a century of memories at this venue with interactive booths and family activities.
LKLD Lindy Hop Presents Lindy Ball at Union Hall | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m.-2 a.m. | Union Hall | $20+ | Show off your moves on the dance floor with LKLD Lindy Hop and the band Blues N’A Suitcase.
Get Lucky with Rotary | Friday, Sept. 12 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $50+ | Try your luck with high-energy bingo while raising money to fund Rotary projects for Lakelanders in need.
Sit. Stay. Laugh: Comedy to the Rescue | Friday, Sept. 19 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall | $36+ | Raise money for the nonprofit clinic Paws Plus Veterinary during a mingle hour and comedy show with nationally touring comedian Clay Foley.
Kick it back to the 1970s at Disco Fever and the RP Funding Center’s 50th anniversary events.
Photo by @evrnest + @werlostboysmedia via @buenamarket
Disco Fever | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Union Hall | $15+ | The disco inferno will stay lit thanks to themed food + drinks, a funky dance floor, and interactive experiences.
Central Florida Business Expo | Wednesday, Sept. 24 | 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $99+ | Hobnob with the business world’s brightest at trade shows, panels, workshops, and networking events.
15th Annual Mayors Roundtable | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Polk State College Center for Public Safety, Winter Haven | Free | Leaders from each Polk County municipality will meet to discuss local issues impacting the area’s future.
Honky Tonk | Friday, Sept. 26 | 5-10 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | Go country with line dancing lessons, live music, and mechanical bull rides all night long.
Walk the Swanway Wedding Fashion Show Affair | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 1-4 p.m. | Black Swan Venue | $5+ | Indulge in champagne + hors d’oeuvres, and enter to win a free wedding dress or honeymoon.
Family fun
Minis Meet-Up on The Lawn | Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Let the little ones play while you connect with other grown-ups.
Girls in Aviation Day | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Florida Air Museum | Free | RSVP to meet women in aviation, test your skills in a flight simulator, and bring the bling with creative activities.
Pull up a seat and sip selections from Oregon’s wine country at the Terrace Grille.
Photo via @terracegrillelakeland
Food + drink
Kölsch Day | Sunday, Sept. 7 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Sip $5 Kölsch beers, dine on food specials, and test your strength in stein hoisting competitions.
Academy Prep Center of Lakeland’s Cookin’ for Kids | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Academy Prep Center of Lakeland | $100 | Chefs Tina Calhoon + Dorcas Crumbley will cook alongside local “celebrity chefs” to create the best dish, decided by VIP judges.
Lake Mirror Room Wine Dinner: Oregon Harvest | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 6 p.m. | Terrace Grille | $150 | Welcome the first official week of fall with seasonal cuisine + wine pairings.
Arts + music
Drinks with the Interim Director LIVE | Thursday, Sept. 4 | 6-7 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | Hear Dr. Daryl Ward share about the connections between visual art + literary works, then make your own art.
Gallery Series Concert: Brass Quintet | Thursday, Sept. 11 | 7 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | $60 | The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 60th season with an intimate concert and cocktail hour.
Marshall Tucker Band - “All Our Friends” Tour | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 8 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $23 | These Southern rock icons return 50 years after their first performance at the Lakeland Civic Center.
New York Bee Gees Tribute Show | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $29+ | The Bee Gees’ greatest hits are “Stayin’ Alive,” thanks to this traveling tribute band.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.