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
Dia de Los Muertos | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 2 p.m. | Bowen Yard, Winter Haven | Free+ | Enjoy family activities + delicious eats at this food hall, and add a photo to the community ofrenda.
Dia de Los Muertos Night Market & After Party | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 6 p.m. | Union Hall | Free+ | Latinas Profesionales In Action will host a free, family-friendly market, followed by a ticketed 21+ after-party.
Veteran’s Day Ceremony + Parade | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Park | Free | Honor veterans with a ceremony featuring Dr. Alan Snyder, followed by a downtown parade starting at 11 a.m.
Veteran’s Celebration & Appreciation Day | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Apostle Henry Ross Family Life Center | Free+ | Veterans are invited for a free meal, followed by a pinning ceremony + veteran’s resource fair.
Salvation Army Kettle Kick Off & Tree Lighting | Friday, Nov. 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Santa will arrive in the world’s largest Salvation Army kettle to light a new Christmas tree and begin the holiday donation drive.
Festival of Trees | Saturday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 23 | Times vary | Grove Roots Brewery, Winter Haven | Free+ | Browse a “forest” of decorated trees and take photos with Mr. + Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Secret Gift Shop.
Green Bean Snap | Monday, Nov. 24 | 9 a.m. | First Presbyterian Church | Free | This volunteer event before VISTE’s Thanksgiving meal delivery is perfect for all members of the family.
Terrace Thanksgiving Grand Buffet | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Terrace Grille | $45+ | Let expert chefs do the cooking for you with carving stations, a raw bar, a buffet of sides, and a dessert finale.
“Cirque Dreams Holidaze” | Friday, Nov. 28 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $48+ | Acrobats and circus artists will light up the stage with a Broadway-style performance.
Get social
Big C New Me | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 2-6 p.m. | The Well | Free | The Power Crew invites survivors of cancer and their caregivers to pamper themselves with makeovers, photography, and confidence-building.
Senior Prom – The Golden Age of Hollywood | Friday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Medulla Resource Center | Free | Guests 55+ can relive the magic of prom night with dancing and light refreshments — corsages and crowns optional.
The Greatest Showmutt: Auction for Animals | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 6 p.m. | SPCA Florida | $150 | This is the greatest show — join a seated dinner + auction to benefit displaced animals.
Wine, Chocolate & Cheese | Friday, Nov. 14 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $40 | Explore downtown to find wine pairings with chocolate and cheese at 40+ participating businesses.
Historic Walking Tour | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Munn Park | $10 | Local historians will teach you about Lakeland’s past as they lead you in and out of buildings in the Munn Park Historic District.
Enchanted Gardens Fantasy Ball | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 5-10 p.m. | Metals & Nature, Plant City | $75+ | Immerse yourself in a fairytale garden with costumed characters, themed food + drinks, and dancing under the stars in the greenhouse.
Lakeland Margarita Ball | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 8-11 p.m. | Lake Mirror Promenade | $45 | Held in benefit of local charities, including a toy drive, this one-night event features food, dancing, and, of course, margaritas.
Music
Concert on the Lot | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Bartow Ford | $30 | Country artists Chase Matthew and Alana Springsteen will bring the twang on stage, and one lucky winner will drive home in a brand-new F-150.
Big Daddy Weave | Friday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. | Victory Church | $28+ | Catch this band along with special guests Megan Woods and David Leonard.
Jazz Brilliance: Kenyatta Beasley | Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College | $5+ | This award-winning trumpeter will blend traditional jazz with modern music innovation.
John McEuen | Friday, Nov. 21 | 6 p.m. | Gram Parsons Derry Down, Winter Haven | $45 | Skip a night of “Fishin’ in the Dark” to see this Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member, joined by band co-founder Les Thompson.
Family fun
Doxapalooza | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | Have a paws-itively fun time raising money for Dachshund Adoption Rescue & Education with weenie dog races and costume contests.
RideSafe Fall Fest | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Get free bike helmet fittings, play interactive games, and pet animals from Hearts of Heaven Farm.
Girls Inc. of Lakeland Father Daughter Dance | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $60 | Girls and their father figures can dance the night away — the theme is “Boots & Beauties.”
Plant City Pig Jam | Friday, Nov. 21-Saturday, Nov. 22 | Times vary | 1401 Gordon Food Service Dr., Plant City | $5 | Pit masters will fire up their grills for two days of barbecue and family entertainment.
Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. when reservations open for this fast-selling meet and greet.
Arts
Depot Walk: Artwork Comes to Life | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Depot Arts District | Free | Dress as your favorite artwork to get a first look at this new creativity hub’s galleries and studios.
Bartow Chalk Walk | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 9 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Downtown Bartow | Free | Watch your step — chalk artists will paint the streets of Bartow, and you can vote for your favorite piece.
Art Crawl 2025 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Artists of all kinds will show off their work with booths, live performances, art demonstrations, and competitions.
Dixieland Art & Alley Fest | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Good Thyme and Concord Coffee Lot | Free+ | Artists, food trucks, musicians, and even Santa Claus will join forces for a neighborhood festival.
Markets
36th Annual Cypress Lakes Village Holiday Craft Fair | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cypress Lakes Village | Price of purchase | Start your holiday shopping with crafters selling everything from pastries and pottery to handbags and honey.
Gather & Grow Fest | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Parkesdale Farm Market, Plant City | Price of purchase | Ring in the harvest season by shopping a vendor market with Parkesdale milkshakes in hand.
The Gather Edit Sip ‘n Shop | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | 1833 Historic Venue | Price of purchase | Sip, shop, and celebrate the start of the holiday season.
Lakeland Holiday Craft Show | Saturday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 23 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | $5+ | Pro tip: Buy tickets to this huge craft show in advance and get two days of admission for the price of one.
Holiday Craft Bazaar | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park | Price of purchase | With 45 vendors filling the park, you’re sure to find a special gift for a loved one.
Get your aircraft in shape before SUN ‘n FUN in the spring.
Photo by @brookenoelle87
Sports + outdoors
Affordable Flying Expo | Thursday, Nov. 6-Saturday, Nov. 8 | Times vary | SUN ‘n FUN | $5+ | Home aircraft builders and sport aviation enthusiasts can get hands-on education from exhibits, presentations, workshops, and demo flights.
ProBox Main Event | Friday, Nov. 7 | RP Funding Center | $67+ | Heavy hitters take to the ring for an electrifying night of professional boxing.
AMA Partzilla Regional Arenacross Series | Friday, Nov. 14-Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $30+ | Jenkins Arena will become a proving ground for amateur and pro dirt bike racers.
PPA Tour: Veolia Lakeland Open | Tuesday, Nov. 18-Sunday, Nov. 23 | 8 a.m. | Beerman Family Tennis Center | $20+ | Amateurs can register to play on the same courts as the world’s top pickleball superstars, like Anna Leigh Waters, Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard, and Tyson McGuffin.
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.