Sponsored Content
Food

Pig out, LAL: Pigfest returns Jan. 26-27

January 16, 2024 • 
Visit Central Florida
Sponsored by
LAL-TBAY.Visit Central Florida Pigfest-1.18.24.jpg

Pigfest is both Florida’s oldest barbecue competition and Florida’s biggest KCBS-sanctioned event.

Photo provided by Visit Central Florida

Get ready to grub, LAL.

Some of the nation’s top barbecue chefs will soon descend on Lakeland for the 27th annual Pigfest, happening Friday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Jan. 27 at the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus.

Florida’s largest Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned event invites Lakelanders to:

  • Chow down on world-class cookout competition eats from 150+ professional BBQ teams
  • Enjoy live music + a kids contest
  • Help raise money for local charities

Bonus: Pigfest is part of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ.

Have a grilliant time

More from LALtoday
A crowd sits in camping chairs watching fireworks over Lake Mirror during Red, White & Kaboom Lakeland event. Trees and street lights block part of the view.
Events
Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
We’ve got the ultimate list of Lakeland events you don’t want to miss out on each year. Mark your calendar for these community celebrations.
January 16, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A red mocktail topped with fruit and a paper umbrella
Food
Where you can find buzz-free beverages, or mocktails, in Lakeland
Shaken or stirred? Either one works, as long as it’s zero-proof. Check out this list of alcohol-free cocktails — mocktails — in Swan City.
January 14, 2026
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Gillian Fazio beside her mural "Oranges"
Culture
Lakeland artists to host Color Wave Walls mural festival
Learn how artists Gillian Fazio and Katerina Santos plan to drench Lakeland in color through its first-ever mural festival, and how small businesses + muralists can get in on the artistic action.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A group in Star Wars costumes posing with R2-D2
Events
Get nerdy with it at Central Florida Comic Con
Prep for the convention with events, guests, and exhibitions we wouldn’t miss.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a square plate of green tea-flavored shaved snow dessert topped with strawberries, almonds, and condensed milk
Food
Sweets meet stories at Vampire Penguin, Lakeland’s newest dessert cafe
With a Victorian vibe and shaved snow desserts, Vampire Penguin could become your newest downtown haunt.
January 12, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior shot of Pressed Books & Coffee
New to Lakeland
40+ reads written by Lakeland authors
Whether you’re looking for your next leisure read, a book for the whole family, or a thrilling fictional novel, we’ve got a list of books written by local authors in Lakeland.
January 12, 2026
 · 
Staff
The counter inside a Raising Cane's restaurant, with a large plush dog wearing sunglasses sitting on top.
Food
Lakeland’s ultimate restaurant wishlist
We hear readers’ hopes for future Lakeland eateries all the time. Now, we’re compiling them all into a restaurant wishlist to see which foodie dreams come true.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at dusk with the Lakeland skyline in the background.
City
See Lakeland’s top rankings on nationwide lists from 2025
From improving quality of life to wins for local businesses, find out how Lakeland measured up in last year’s rankings.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
Travel and Outdoors
More Avelo flights, planes coming to LAL
Avelo Airlines announced plans for two additional aircraft at its Lakeland International Airport base, as well as more flights on its schedule.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An ornate, carved stone exterior entrance to Lakeland City Hall seen from underneath a tree branch
City
Here’s how to join Lakeland boards and committees
Create the city you want to live in by applying to serve in these volunteer roles.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Kaylee Holland