Your guide to the Swan City Piano Festival

We’ve got the keys to everything you need to know about this annual piano festival with free events.

A pianist playing a grand piano onstage at a church at the Swan City Piano Festival

Professional pianists will bring their talents to Lakeland.

Photo by Elisa Rose Vividor

If you’re looking for the key to a great week, we’ve got 88 of them. The Swan City Piano Festival takes place Thursday, June 8-Sunday, June 11. The best part? Every event is free to attend.

Don’t miss these performances, masterclasses, and kids’ events all around Lakeland.

  • Festival Insights with Charles Hulin | Thursday, June 8 | 5-6 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | This local pianist, composer, and music professor will introduce the works and artists you’ll hear at this year’s festival.
  • Musical Storytime | Friday, June 9 | 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St. | Young children can spark their curiosity for music — registration is required for both sessions at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m.
  • The Composer’s Perspective with Erica Porter | Friday, June 9 | 6:15-6:45 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Hear composition samples and a discussion from the festival’s Composer-in-Residence.
  • Jihye Chang Recital | Friday, June 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Attend this concert for the world premiere of Erica Porter’s new work for the festival.
Two small children play with an electric keyboard on a low bookshelf at the Swan City Piano Festival

Kids can interact with music at Pressed and the Florida Children’s Museum.

Photo by Elisa Rose Vividor

  • Educational Event | Saturday, June 10 | 10:15-11:45 a.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd. | $15 | This interactive theater experience is included with museum admission — catch a showing at 10:30 or 11:15 a.m.
  • Tal Cohen Solo Concert | Saturday, June 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St. | Catch this immersive jazz concert to hear the festival’s second guest artist.
  • Sun-A Park Solo Recital | Sunday, June 11 | 3-5 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | End the festival with a program of virtuosic classical piano music.

Note: All events are free to attend, but registration is required for most. Find more information on the full events list.