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Festivals

The Wish Farms stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds
Culture
The stage is set: Florida Strawberry Festival’s 2026 entertainers
See who will take the stage in Plant City when the festival returns in February 2026.
November 17, 2025 11:51 AM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lights surrounding Lake Mirror at night time in Lakeland, FL
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Lakeland
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Staff
Photo 1: A bowl of ramen topped with avocado, onion, cucumbers, lime, and spices. Photo 2: A dish with shrimp + grits artfully plated.
Sponsored
Introducing Central Florida Food Fest
Sponsored by
1. A person topping a blueberry shortcake with whipped cream, 2. Hands holding a bunch of blueberries, 3. A woman in a sun hat picking blueberries, 4. A young boy riding a camel in a grass field at a festival, 5. A tent with blueberry festival merchandise for sale.
Sponsored
Four weekends of fresh fun at the Blueberry Festival
Treats, fresh berries, and seasonal wine + cider releases have us feeling anything but blue.
Sponsored by
rotation of 5 images: 1. Giant oak tree enveloped by a colorful floral art installation, wrapped around the trunk. 2. A smiling child with her face painted like a butterfly. 3. A flowing floral arrangement of pink flowers and greenery. 4. A man singing on a mic. 5. A concrete statue in the gardens of Bonnet Springs Park.
Sponsored
🌷 Lakeland’s first annual flower festival blooms this April
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A small indoor booth at a festival with a flower bar and a neon sign reading "The Petal Co."
Events
Find Lakeland’s local vendors at the Florida Strawberry Festival
Support local or try something new from out of town at this festival running Feb. 27-March 9 in Plant City.
February 27, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
meat cooking on a grill with flames coming up and a person's hand in the top left corner
Sponsored
Grills Gone Wild returns next weekend
Sponsored by
A group of performers dressed in colorful outfits pose at the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival.
Events
Celebrate Black History Month with these events around Lakeland
From cultural festivals to comedy shows, honor Black History Month at one of these Lakeland events.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A paper plate with a stack of BBQ ribs.
Sponsored
Explore Central Florida’s best BBQ
Sponsored by
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Sponsored
Meat your weekend plans: Pigfest 2025
Enjoy two ham-packed days of world-class BBQ, family-friendly activities, and community giving.
Sponsored by
Two people stand in front of an outdoor art stand featuring realistic landscape paintings.
Sponsored
Mayfaire by-the-Lake unveils this year’s stork-tacular Feature Poster
Lakeland’s largest outdoor fine art fest chose a bird-focused Feature Poster for its 52nd celebration — and no, it’s not a swan.
Sponsored by
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More from LALtoday
The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front exterior of the Spanish Colonial-style Ludd Spivey House with a stucco facade, arched windows, and a terracotta tile roof.
Real Estate
Influential Lakelander’s home hits the market
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
November 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Staff
A night photo of the Lakeland Margarita Ball on the lawn near Lake Mirror, with a band playing on a lit stage in the background.
Events
Raise funds (and a glass) at the Lakeland Margarita Ball
The Lakeland Margarita Society hosts the Margarita Ball every November to raise money to provide Christmas gifts for local children.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops
Food
Preorder your prized pies ahead of Thanksgiving
Whether you’re an annual customer or looking for the first time, check out these pies you can bring to Thanksgiving made fresh by local bakers.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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Sponsored
Last chance: Hack Your Health 2025 arrives this weekend
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City
How to help Lakeland food banks
When times are tough, Lakelanders join together to help neighbors in need. Here’s how you can help local food banks and food distribution programs through donations and volunteer work.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial view of downtown Lakeland's streets at night
City
Lakeland CRA begins Restore the Core initiative
Help the Community Redevelopment Agency update the plans for its three core areas by sharing your feedback.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sculpture of Frank Lloyd Wright wearing a wide-brimmed hat stands in front of the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center
New to Lakeland
Forests, swans, and architecture: 11 can’t-miss tours of Lakeland
Be a tourist in your own town. Get out and try these 11 fantastic tours of Lakeland and beyond to learn something new.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large Nordstrom Rack shopping bag is held up in the foreground, with the storefront and a blue inflatable arch in the background.
City
Top Clicks: Here’s what you loved in LALtoday last month
We keep an eye on your clicks to make sure LALtoday is always filled with content you love.
November 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson