Ready for sweater weather, Lakeland? From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to Halloween and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, fall is just around the corner for Swan City.
Get ready to come alive — or play dead at fall-tastic haunted houses like Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail — with this guide featuring 40+ fall events happening between now and November.
Farms and frights
Harvest Holler Corn Maze, Polk City
There’s plenty to do on this fall farm, from exploring a corn maze and pumpkin patch to taking a hayride — just don’t skip the cobblers in Maw-Maw’s Country Store. It’s open Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-Nov. 17.
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, Plant City
Feeling brave? Test your courage on three outdoor haunted trails and a haunted hayride, plus enjoy escape games + ax throwing. The season begins Friday, Sept. 27 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, Plant City
This farm is open for the season on Saturdays + Sundays from Sept. 28 through Oct. 27. Get lost in a five-acre corn maze, create custom wildflower bouquets, and soar on the jump pad.
Harvest Days, Keel Farms
Celebrate fall each Saturday + Sunday of October, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can enjoy hay rides, a corn maze, camel rides, a pumpkin patch, and seasonal drink releases. Pro tip: Admission is free, but parking is $10.
Haunted Jail Tour, Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. Building, Bartow
It’s the final year to enjoy PCSO’s frightful fundraiser for United Way of Central Florida on select weekends in October. Make a donation of $15 per adult and $5 per child to enter, and keep an eye out for goblins and ghouls.
Jurassic Haunt, Dinosaur World
Brave the prehistoric era with themed scare zones and bites at this theme park’s first after-hours Halloween event. Buy tickets in advance to “unearth the curse” on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 12-26.
Fall fun for all
3rd Annual Romp in the Hay, The Doggie Bag
Dogs can jump in a haystack in search of treats, and humans can enjoy raffles + freebies at this pet boutique on Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bienvenido A BSP: Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Bonnet Springs Park
Celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures on Saturday, Sept. 28 with performances + vendors. The party lasts from 2 to 9 p.m. with an artisan market, salsa dance instruction, and headliner El Laberinto del Coco.
“Encanto” Sing-A-Long, Polk Theatre
We don’t talk about Bruno, but we do talk about this family-friendly musical screening. Warm up those pipes and catch the movie on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.
Disney on Ice Presents “Frozen” & “Encanto,” RP Funding Center
Professional performers will skate into Lakeland for a stop on their national tour. Don’t miss exciting retellings of two favorite Disney stories on Saturday, Oct. 5 — there are three shows throughout the day.
44th Annual Lake Morton Swan Roundup, Lake Morton
Watch from a safe distance as city staff and veterinarians round up each swan for its annual health checkup on Tuesday, Oct. 8, starting at 7 a.m. Pro tip: Have your camera ready.
20th Lakeland Cardboard Boat Challenge & Lakes Festival, Lake Hollingsworth
Head to the lake on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m. to build a cardboard boat. See how far and fast your team can make it across the lake, all while raising awareness of water quality.
Lake Mirror Classic Concours and Car Show, Downtown Lakeland
Lakeland will turn into a car-lover’s paradise with a weekend full of events from Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20. Find hot rods and classics from Lake Mirror to downtown. All events are free for spectators, and you can sign up online to show your car.
Trick or Treat with Sheriff Judd, Polk State College Lakeland Campus
No tricks here, just treats for little ones on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m. Entry is free to get plenty of candy, meet characters, and watch entertainers.
Wings ‘n Things, SUN ‘n FUN
This annual aerospace event is back with activities for the whole family. Visit the SUN ‘n FUN campus on Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to walk through a hot air balloon, launch stomp rockets, fly drones, and more for free.
Veterans Day Parade and Celebration, Downtown Lakeland
Honor veterans on Saturday, Nov. 9 with a parade through downtown at 9 a.m., followed by a market in Munn Park with veteran-focused vendors + nonprofits.
Free Play Florida 2024, RP Funding Center
Leave your quarters at home. Admission to this volunteer-run event includes unlimited gaming on hundreds of new + classic arcade games. Grab a day or weekend pass to join in from Friday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 24.
Autumnal arts
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.,” Lakeland Community Theatre
Fall down the rabbit hole to enjoy musical performances by Lakeland’s young actors from Friday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Oct. 6.
Moxie Le Femme Presents: Something Wicked (A Dead Sexy Time), Union Hall
Start the Halloween season with a cabaret + burlesque variety show for guests 18+. Shows take place on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5. Snag your tickets before the show for table seating.
A Starry Night of Music, Florida Southern College
The ceiling of Branscomb Auditorium will transform into a starry sky for this genre-spanning performance by FSC’s Symphonic Band. Catch it on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
LSO Symphony Series: “Fire & Water,” Florida Southern College
It’s season 59 for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, starting with this element-inspired concert in FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Pro tip: Students get free admission.
Haunted Illusions, Polk Theatre
Did you catch illusionist David Caserta on “America’s Got Talent”? You won’t believe your eyes as he bends reality right here in Lakeland on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, Lake Mirror Auditorium
On Saturday, Oct. 19 at 9 p.m., a string quartet will perform chilling and thrilling tunes associated with Halloween by nothing but candlelight. Expect to hear themes from media like “Stranger Things,” plus classics like “Night on Bald Mountain.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Experience, Polk Theatre
Do the Time Warp and arrive early to grab a prop bag at the pre-show before midnight showings of this cult classic on Friday, Oct. 25 + Saturday, Oct. 26. Just be sure to leave the bread at home.
“Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical,” Lakeland Community Theatre
Local actors will perform this gothic musical detailing the classic struggle between good and evil. Catch evening + matinee performances on weekends from Friday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 17.
LKLD Indie Bash Four, Union Hall
Independent artists will take the stage again on Saturday, Nov. 2, starting at 12 p.m. Catch 20 of local acts across two stages, and keep an ear out for your new favorite song.
Art Crawl, Swan Brewing
Explore the works of 60+ local artists while taking in food, brews, live performances, and demonstrations. You can even buy pieces from the artists to display at home. Crawl through on Sunday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze, RP Funding Center
Sure this is a fall events guide, but if you’re already thinking ahead to the holiday season, don’t miss this Broadway-style, contemporary circus show. It’s happening on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Seasonal shopping
Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Vol. 9, Swan Brewing
This market is rocking and rolling back into town on Sunday, Sept. 29, 12-6 p.m. All are welcome to listen to live bands and shop from vendors coming in from across Florida.
Plant Pop-Up, Munn Park
Plant and garden vendors will sell everything you need to spruce up your own garden this season. Find them near the downtown farmers market on Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lakeland Record Fair, Volume IV, Rec Room
Jesse Carl Vinyl will bring together several vendors to sell rare, classic, and new vinyl records, plus CDs + cassettes. Find them on Sunday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sip & Sprout Plant Festival, Metals & Nature, Plant City
Stroll through the garden to shop for greenery while sipping coffee, tea, or wine from local vendors on Saturday, Oct. 19. Bring the whole family from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — there will also be a petting zoo.
Fall Night Market, Downtown Lakeland
Shop down the block — or should we say blocks — to find more than 100 vendors selling seasonal goodies on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-9 p.m. Retail stores will be open late too, and beverage bizzes will be serving adult beverages to enjoy while you shop.
Girls Night Out, Downtown Lakeland
Sip, shop, and stroll through downtown with a night of music and cocktails on Friday, Nov. 15, 6-9 p.m. Pick up a shopping passport from the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority to find deals, or opt for the VIP package with a drink ticket + souvenir wine goblet.
Dixieland Art & Alley Fest, Concord Coffee + Good Thyme
Retailers, eateries, musicians, and artists will come together to celebrate the Dixieland neighborhood. Shop and eat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 — plus, you can meet Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fall fitness
Leading Edge Take Heart 5K, Lake Hollingsworth
Run the lake on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28 to raise money for Take Heart’s entrepreneurship + education initiatives in Kenya.
Pumpkin Dash 5K, SUN ‘n FUN
Complete a 5K around the SUN ‘n FUN campus before grabbing craft beers + bites at the inaugural Flightoberfest. The race takes off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Annual Red Ribbon Run and Challenge, Lake Mirror
Take a family run around Lake Mirror on Saturday, Oct. 26 to support InnerAct Alliance’s mission of substance abuse prevention. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. Pro tip: Register early online for free entry.
48th Lake to Lake 10K, Lake Mirror
Run from Lake Mirror to Lakes Morton + Hollingsworth and back in the oldest annual road race in Polk County. Be at the starting line on Rose Street at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
5K Color Run/Walk, Holloway Park
Support ROAR Florida in this colorful race on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 a.m. Registration is open to adults and children, and it includes color powder to throw while you run.
See what’s on tap at Keel Farms’ many fall events.
Photo by @drblue
Let’s party, pumpkin
Honky Tonk, Keel Farms
The farm will get a little bit country on Friday, Sept. 27. Jump in a line dance, try your skills on the mechanical bull, and enjoy country music from 5 to 10 p.m. Entry is free.
Biz Bash 2024, SUN ‘n FUN
Party it up while shaking hands with business owners and entrepreneurs over samples from Catapult Kitchen members on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4:30-7 p.m.
9th Annual Puttin’ On The Pink, Winter Haven Moose Lodge
Support the Hollis Cancer Center’s breast cancer patients with a night of entertainment and food on Friday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 to enjoy prime rib and join in on raffles + games.
Dine + drink
Centennial Celebration, Terrace Hotel
What’s the password? Raise a glass to 100 years of this downtown landmark with a visit to the speakeasy on Friday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. Try complimentary bites + drinks before a fireworks show over Lake Mirror at 9 p.m.
Flightoberfest, SUN ‘n FUN
This family-friendly festival will bring together craft beer, food, aircraft displays, and activities for all. Grab tickets to join on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and bring a chair to enjoy live music by local bands.
Swantoberfest, Swan Brewing
Get a taste of Germany with this Oktoberfest-style celebration from Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20. Savor German flavors with food truck bites, seasonal drafts, and games like stein hoisting — prizes will be on the line.
Central Florida Food Fest, Bonnet Springs Park
Sample exclusive dishes + drink pairings from Polk restaurateurs at this inaugural foodie fest. Find dozens of your favorite eateries on-site on Saturday, Oct. 19, 1-7 p.m. The park will only be open to ticket holders during this event.
Food & Spirits Experience, RP Funding Center
Consider this adult trick-or-treating. Wear your best costume to try bites + beverages from Lakeland bizzes on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Lakeland Kiwanis Foundation.
Sugarbuzz Dessert Festival: Fall Edition, Munn Park
Bring your sweet tooth downtown on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to find fall-themed sweet treats at this new festival.
