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.
Markets
Lakeland Record Fair, Vol. VII | Sunday, March 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lake Mirror Auditorium | $5 | Buy a ticket at the door for access to hundreds of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and memorabilia available for purchase.
Spring Obsession 2026 | Saturday, March 14 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park | Free+ | Shop for specialty plants in the park at Lakeland’s biggest garden event of the season.
Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Volume 12 | Sunday, March 29 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Release your inner punk rocker with bands and vendors from Lakeland and beyond.
See big-name musicians on the Florida Strawberry Festival stage.
Photo by @jkarr7
Festivals
Florida Strawberry Festival | Sunday, March 1-Sunday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, Plant City | $4+ | This annual festival keeps rolling into March — each day includes headliner concerts, midway rides, craft displays, and plenty more family fun.
Bartow Bloomin’ Arts | Saturday, March 7-Sunday, March 8 | Times vary | Downtown Bartow | Free+ | The streets will be filled with creativity, from vibrant art to entertainers to family activities.
Friday Fest: St. Paddy’s Unparade | Friday, March 20 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Bartow | Free+ | Get into the community spirit by marching together to the monthly downtown festival.
Bark in the Park | Friday, March 27 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Central Park, Winter Haven | Free+ | Bring your leashed pup for dog-centric shopping and entertainment, like the Annual Wiener Dog Race.
Get social
The Art of Tablescaping | Saturday, March 7 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Junior League of Greater Lakeland Building | $25+ | Learn how to be the host with the most at the Tablescape Designer Showcase — Dinner with the Designers and the Elevated Entertainers Workshop Series are also happening this weekend.
Lakeland City Commission SUN ‘n FUN Breakfast | Wednesday, March 11 | 7:30-9 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Skylight Hangar | $30 | Get a sneak peek of this year’s aerospace expo, and hear from guest speaker Colonel Mark W. Tillman, former Air Force One pilot.
Spring Break Line Dancing Party | Saturday, March 14 | 6-10 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $5+ | Kick off spring break with a night on the dance floor and tunes provided by DJ Gonzo — send in song requests in advance.
After Party Vol. 1 | Saturday, March 28 | 5:30 p.m. | Dixieland Relics | $10 | Phoenix5 and Julep Band will provide the evening’s soundtrack while you mingle with creatives + music lovers.
Mom Prom | Saturday, March 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Union Hall | $50 | Dress in your old prom dress and hit the dance floor at this fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida.
Arts
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra: Cookie Concert | Sunday, March 1 | 1-3 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern | Free | The only thing better than an orchestra concert is watching it with free Publix cookies in hand — arrive early for an instrument petting zoo.
863 Live! | Saturday, March 7 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | Free+ | Live musicians, including headliner Bryce Mauldin, will take the stage to support Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center while guests enjoy food + drinks.
Voices: Music for a Cause | Saturday, March 7 | 7 p.m. | Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven | $40+ | Tony Award winner Trista Dollison will bring Broadway-caliber performances in support of the Filling The Lane program for at-risk youth.
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra Concert: Rhapsody & Radiance | Saturday, March 7 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern | $30+ | LSO will perform fiery selections to dazzle and thrill the audience.
Dwight Icenhower’s VIP Weekend | Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15 | Times vary | Nora Mayo Hall, Winter Haven | $225 | This award-winning Elvis Presley impersonator will put on five shows, covering everything from the King’s gospel hits to his Las Vegas era.
“Video Games Live” | Saturday, March 14 | 2:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern | $75+ | Get your head in the game with an immersive concert + light show featuring songs from the world’s most popular video games.
”Swan Lake” Ballet | Wednesday, March 25 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $58+ | Fifty dancers from the World Ballet Company will be accompanied by a live orchestra for a powerful performance.
The 5th Annual Jazz Under the Trees | Saturday, March 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Historic Glover School, Plant City | $50+ | Bring a lawn chair for live performances, good vibes, and all that jazz.
Food
Central Florida Food Truck Rally | Saturday, March 7 | 4-9 p.m. | Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, George Jenkins Memorial Unit, Winter Haven | $13 | Let the best local food trucks handle dinner while you enjoy live music + entertainment.
Mulberry Chili Cook-Off | Saturday, March 14 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Badcock Commons Park, Mulberry | Free+ | Turn up the heat at the town’s second cook-off featuring a car show, live music, and bold recipes.
Spring Break Cooking Camp: Florida Sunshine | Monday, March 16-Thursday, March 19 | 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Plant Batter Bakery + Kitchen | $98+ | Young chefs will get up to four days of hands-on cooking experience with seasonal Florida produce.
Explore Bonnet Springs Park with your kids or your fellow runners.
Photo by @thehikerdad
Family
Spring Break at BSP | Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Bring the kids every day for fun STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — activities to try together.
Meet the Easter Bunny | Saturday, March 28 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Registration for this event opens on Saturday, Feb. 28, so hop to it if you want to snag a time slot.
Active
Relay for Life of Polk County | Friday, March 13 | 6 p.m. | Central Park, Winter Haven | Donations accepted | Walk to raise money for cancer research + patient care, join the Survivor Dinner, and dedicate a luminaria to lost loved ones.
Bonnet Springs Park 5K | Saturday, March 28 | 7:30-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | $48.70 | Run to sign up for this race around the park before all the runner spots fill up.
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.