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.
Holiday events
Meet the Magic: Dancing Lights Nights | Monday, Dec. 1-Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Watch thousands of lights synchronized to music around the brand new Christmas tree.
Wonderland of Lights | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 28 | 6-9 p.m. | International Market World Flea and Farmers Market, Auburndale | $30+ | Drive through hundreds of light displays to see shimmering tunnels and illuminated sculptures.
City of Lakeland Christmas Parade | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Floats and marching bands will bring the merry from the RP Funding Center to Lake Mirror and back.
The Sugar Plum Promenade - A “Snowy” Holiday Experience | Friday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 27 | Times vary | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $5 | Walk through a wintry snowscape to find photo ops and candy stops.
Sir Henry’s Haunted Christmas | Friday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 14 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, Plant City | $35+ | Take a “slay ride” and walk through holiday-themed haunted houses.
Christmas Boat Parade | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Chain of Lakes, Winter Haven | Free | The Chain of Lakes comes alive with festively decorated boats traveling from Lake May to Lake Howard to Lake Shipp.
Jingle and Mingle | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 11 a.m. | Polk County History Center, Bartow | Free | Munch on cookies while the Frostproof High School Chorus sings carols at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the Berkley Charter Elementary School Chorus performs at 12 p.m.
Lakeland Menorah Lighting | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 5 p.m. | Kryger Park | Free | Light up the night with Chabad of Lakeland’s giant menorah, treats, and family activities.
Community Menorah Lighting | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Keep an eye on Temple Emanuel’s website to see where it will hold this event on the first day of Hanukkah.
North Pole Night: A Holiday Experience | Friday, Dec. 19 | 6-10 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $5 | The campground will transform into the North Pole for an immersive shopping and entertainment experience.
Yuletide: A Starlight Celebration with The Byrne Bros. | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales | $10+ | Welcome the winter solstice with a concert by The Byrne Brothers, a stroll down a luminary path, and a moonlit carillon performance.
Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration | Friday, Dec. 26 | 5 p.m. | St. Mark United Methodist Church | Free | This year’s theme is “It’s Our Time,” featuring speaker Abre’ Conner, Esq., community prayer, African dance, and a candle lighting.
Arts + music
Artful Bowl | Friday, Dec. 5 | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Junior League Building | $150+ | Join Platform Art for its annual fundraiser party and celebrate with nontraditional entertainment.
“The Nutcracker” Presented by The International Ballet of Florida | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 2 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $25+ | The International Ballet of Florida and international guest stars will showcase breathtaking choreography.
Joy to the World! A Sacred Celebration | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $15+ | Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker will perform with her musical children, powerful vocalists, and University of Central Florida ballet dancers.
“An American Christmas” - Florida Philharmonia Orchestra | Friday, Dec. 19 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | St. Paul Lutheran Church | Donations accepted | Sing along to classical music by composers like Leroy Anderson, S. Coleridge-Taylor, and more.
’Tis the Season: Holiday Concert | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Enjoy an enchanting evening of holiday cheer, including live music, storytime with Santa + Mrs. Claus, festive treats, and even a little snow.
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra: Toast to the Holidays | Saturday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College | $30 | Guest conductor Rob Lambert will lead the orchestra in seasonal selections, from “The Polar Express” to “Sleigh Ride.”
An Elvis Gospel Christmas | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Gem Theater, Mulberry | $20+ | Tribute artist Dwight Icenhower will perform gospel + holiday classics as the King.
Toby - A Tribute to Toby Keith | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 7 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $20+ | Lift up those red Solo cups and sing along with country tunes performed by Hollywood Yates.
Markets + festivals
Jingle Mingle Christmas Market | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free+ | Shop through local vendors’ handmade + sustainable holiday items.
Holidays on Central | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Central Park, Winter Haven | Free+ | Don’t miss Winter Haven’s largest holiday event, featuring 100+ vendors and an Elvis tribute by Dwight Icenhower.
Camphor Heights Holiday Festival | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Dobbins Park | Free+ | Hop on the Trolley Train and ride around to shop for crafts and art at this neighborhood festival.
The Gather Edit Sip ‘n Shop | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | 1833 Historic Venue | Price of purchase | Sip, shop, and celebrate the start of the holiday season.
Silver Jubilee Plant Sale | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Hollis Garden | Free | Wish Hollis Garden a happy 25th birthday by shopping from specialty plant vendors — a portion of proceeds will benefit the Hollis Garden Perpetual Care Fund.
Holiday Night Market | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop ‘til you drop with five blocks of local vendors + extended hours at your favorite shops and restaurants.
Make like Rudolph and fly to ACE for this family event — tickets are sold at the door.
Photo via @aerospacecenterforexcellence, Ron Stiltner + Tommy Tompkins
Family fun
Selfies with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Polk County History Center, Bartow | Free | Call to reserve a timeslot for photos with Santa and his elves.
Holidays at LEGOLAND | Saturday, Dec. 6-Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Legoland Florida, Winter Haven | $59+ | Build a bricktastic holiday with Lego decorations and festive entertainment included with park admission.
The Flight Before Christmas | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 4-7 p.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence | $5+ | Walk through a maze of twinkling lights with hot cider in hand, and find Santa to hand over your wish list.
Blinky’s Snow Ball | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $35 | Blinky the Alligator invites you for a kid-friendly dinner, family photos, dancing, and wintry decor.
Winter Fairy Fest | Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales | $10+ | Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy Godmother and be enchanted by aerial fairy dancers + ballerinas.
Movie on the Lawn: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” | Friday, Dec. 19 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Cozy up in the park for a free screening, crafts, and an appearance from the green guy himself.
New Year’s Eve parties
Noon Year’s Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Family Fun Center | $24.99 | Go wild with unlimited attractions, face painting, and a balloon drop at 12 p.m.
New Year’s Jammin Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $16+ | Kids can party in their pajamas and celebrate with a ball drop at 12 p.m.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Legoland Florida, Winter Haven | $79 | End the year with a bang, all without missing bedtime — special events are included in park admission.
Noon Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library | Free | Countdown to a midday New Year’s celebration with crafts and a dance party for kids 2-10.
New Year’s Eve Dinner & Celebration at The Terrace Grille | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 4 p.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland | $50+ | Ring in the new year in style with fine dining, a Champagne toast, and a popping dance floor.
New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Wine Garden | $200 | Reserve a spot at this seven-course dinner, and add on a bottle from the bar’s wine selections.
2nd Annual Plant City Strawberry Drop | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Downtown Plant City | Free | Have a berry unforgettable time watching a giant strawberry descend from the sky at midnight.
New Year’s Eve with Sofa Kings | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 8 p.m. | Union Hall | $20+ | Local musicians will rock you into the new year with an all-night dance party.
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.