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.
Bonnet Springs Park says Caribbean Carnival is its biggest event of the year.
Photo by @bonnetspringspark
Festivals
Spirit of the Buffalo Multicultural Festival and Pow Wow | Sunday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | International Market World, Auburndale | $4+ | This event returns for two weekends packed with intertribal dance competitions, historic village displays, and interactive workshops.
Strawberry Bash | Saturday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 22 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | It’ll be one sweet weekend filled with family activities, shortcake eating contests, U-pick berries, and much more.
Caribbean Carnival! | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 3-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free+ | Bring the whole family to enjoy island vibes, food vendors, and Caribbean music from headliner Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers.
Florida Strawberry Festival | Thursday, Feb. 26-Saturday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, Plant City | $4+ | It’s all about the berries at this annual festival — each day includes headliner concerts, midway rides, craft displays, and plenty more family fun.
Get social
An Evening of Stars Fundraiser | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6 p.m. | Academy Prep Center of Lakeland | $100 | Enjoy an elegant evening with live entertainment and inspiring stories of Academy Prep’s impact on education.
Game Night at the Museum | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $90 | Feel like a kid again with a night of adults-only gaming and refreshments.
TEDx LakeAlfred | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1-4:30 p.m. | Mackay Gardens & Lakeside Preserve, Lake Alfred | $53 | Catch the first TEDx speaking conference in Lake Alfred, featuring speakers from Polk County and beyond.
28th Annual Mustangs & Mustangs...Legends Havin’ Fun Show | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free+ | All are welcome to browse hundreds of Ford-powered vehicles — register your own for $30+.
Holidays
Galentine’s Brunch | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Smith’s American Tavern | Price of purchase | Let the mimosas flow as you brunch and shop with your pals — reservations recommended.
Galentine’s in the Vines | Friday, Feb. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Celebrate friendship in the winery with a curated Girls’ Night Out Market.
GAL-entine’s Comedy Weekend | Friday, Feb. 13-Saturday, Feb. 14 | 8-10 p.m. | Laugh Out Lounge, Winter Haven | $20 | Laugh along with two nights of stand-up by hilarious women in comedy.
13th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding Ceremony | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 12 p.m. | Polk County History Center, Bartow | Free | Be a guest at 30 weddings in one day as the Polk County Clerk & Comptroller performs a group ceremony on the steps of the History Center.
Valentine’s Day: A Four-Course Love Story | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 4-10 p.m. | Terrace Grille | $125 | Be wined and dined with a romantic prix fixe experience curated by the chef.
Cupid’s Night Out | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free+ | Celebrate Valentine’s Day with photo ops, a flower bar for the first 200 guests, interactive stations, romantic music, and a local vendors’ market.
Valentine Night Market | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free+ | Walk hand-in-hand as you pick out gifts with your significant other and take photos with Cupid.
Valentine’s In The Vines | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $75 | Follow up a four-course dinner with a visit to the dessert bar in the Overlook Pavilion.
A Proper Valentine’s Day with Proper Wednesday | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Union Hall | $13+ | Spend Valentine’s Day on the dance floor with this local band providing the live tunes.
Seasoned dancers from “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance” will step to it at Florida Southern.
Photo by Chris Hardy
Arts
“A Taste of Ireland” | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Branscomb Memorial Auditorium | $41+ | Jig along with world champion dancers at this off-Broadway show, called an “Irish music and dance sensation.”
Gallery Concert Series | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | $60 | Indulge in an intimate concert by the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra among the AGB’s art galleries.
A Tribute To Bob Marley | Friday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall | $13+ | Firelight will have you asking, “Is this love?” as they perform Marley’s biggest hits.
Gaither Vocal Band | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m. | Victory Church | $39+ | This award-winning band will visit Lakeland on their “Then Came the Morning Tour.”
LKLD Indie Women’s Bash | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 12 p.m. | Union Hall | $13+ | Women-led indie bands and local artists will show off their talents all day long.
Sports
22nd Annual Rotary Twilight 5K | Friday, Feb. 6 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park | $45 | Take a scenic run around the lake to raise money to support Common Ground Playground.
Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 1:05 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $24+ | Don’t miss the Tigers’ spring training home opener in Lakeland.
Polk Senior Games Opening Ceremony | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 8:45 a.m. | All Saints Academy, Winter Haven | Free | Kick off this sports series with an Olympics-style ceremony, featuring a torch walk + goodie bags.
Parents will get a free ticket to FSC’s men’s basketball game to see their little cheerleaders perform at halftime.
Photo by Florida Southern Cheerleading
Family
African American Heritage Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1-3 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $16+ | Pay tribute to the trailblazers of history with live performances and a children’s artwork gallery.
Florida Southern Cheerleading Mini Mocs Cheer Clinic | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College | $50 | Kids ages 5-12 can work on their cheerleading skills — participants will perform with FSC cheerleaders at that evening’s basketball game.
14th Annual Planes. Trains & Automobiles | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Plant City Airport | $8.50+ | This local favorite event will feature plenty of planes, tons of trains, and countless cars — plus, celebrity appearances.
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.