Arts and culture guide for Lakeland

From comedy shows and Broadway tours to local organizations supporting Lakeland’s arts community, we’ve rounded up 19 places to get your arts and culture fix around Swan City.

Dancers perform on a stage in front of a crowd at Art Crawl

Dance, drama, drawing — Lakeland’s art scene has it all.

Photo provided by Art Crawl, Inc.

Table of Contents

To us, all of Lakeland is a work of art. But if a stage or museum is more your scene, we’ve got you covered with a list of places where you can enjoy, participate in, or support the local arts community.

Performers pose on a stage at Lakeland Community Theatre

See Lakelanders and visiting artists alike take the stage.

Photo courtesy of Lakeland Community Theatre

For those with a flair for the dramatic

  • Lakeland Community Theatre | See a hit musical or play put on by your Lakeland neighbors of all ages.
  • Polk Theatre | Film fans can catch classic flicks on the silver screen + pro performances at this historic theater in the heart of downtown.
  • RP Funding Center | This is Lakeland’s hub for Broadway tours, comedy shows, and dance performances.
  • Swan City Improv | Get a little comedic relief from this group that comes up with its scenes on the spot using audience suggestions.
  • Florida Dance Theatre | Watch top dancers in performances from Polk County’s only professional dance company.
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Grab a drink before a performance from a Lakeland musician. | Photo by @unionhallevents

For those who hit all the right notes

  • Lakeland Symphony Orchestra | Enjoy an immersive performance at various Polk County venues when you attend symphonic concerts and an annual opera.
  • Union Hall | Catch local music acts at this venue or take the stage yourself with karaoke + line dancing lessons on select nights.
  • Hillcrest Coffee | Grab a latte and hear the latest tunes from local singer-songwriters on Thursday nights at this coffeehouse.
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Fine art by Lake Morton — what more could you ask for? | Photo by Gregory Mills

For the visual learners

  • Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Known as the Polk Museum of Art until July 2024, this is the place to catch the latest exhibit, listen to an art history lecture, or take a tour with the curator to learn more about art.
  • Mayfaire by-the-Lake | Stroll around Lake Morton to enjoy paintings, photography, and handcrafted goods in this annual outdoor springtime art festival.
  • Art Crawl | Emerging contemporary artists can show their work at this art festival taking place each fall.
A colorful abstract mural

Find this mural by JUJMO outside of ART/ifact Studios.

For those looking to organize

Get involved by joining one of these groups yourself or visiting their events.

  • Platform Art | This nonprofit aims to enrich the public arts scene through visual arts, film, fashion, music, and performance.
  • Mayor’s Council on the Arts | Formed by the Lakeland City Commission, this council promotes Lakeland’s arts community + creative economy.
  • Lakeland Art Guild | This group of artists works to encourage other visual artists and beautify the community.
  • ART/ifact | Visit pop-up events from the artist collective at this art gallery space.

For the ones who aren’t too cool for school

Support students by catching a theatre, orchestra, dance, or vocal performance from local schools, including Harrison School for the Arts, Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, or Polk State College.

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