Photo via Etsy

🎁 Under $25

Photo via Etsy

🎁 $25-$50

🎁 $50-$100+

• Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.
• Fun Run & Music Bingo w/ Smokin’ Chanchos | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 5:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Join in a fun run at 5:30 p.m. before playing music bingo at 6:30 p.m. with grub from Smokin’ Chanchos.
• Molly’s Musicians Showcase @ Molly McHugh’s | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland | Free | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.

• Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Learn some new moves from 5-7 p.m., then sing your heart out starting at 8 p.m.
• Winter Haven Tastes of the World Food Tour | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 2 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $45-$95 | Follow your tastebuds around downtown Winter Haven as you try delicious dishes and learn their history.

• Fall Film Festival | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland | Free | View short films of all genres created by senior SEU film students.
• Lakeland Christmas Parade | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7-10 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Be part of the “Christmas Past, Present, and Future,” parade, starting with a firework show over Lake Mirror — no chairs allowed before parade day.

• Winter Dance Concert | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | Students will perform West African fusion dance, contemporary works, and more with the Harrison Treble Chorus and Harrison Strings.
• Swan City Improv First Friday Show | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Just Dance Academy, 124 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along with this comedy team as they make up scenes on the spot — shows start at 7:30 and 9 p.m.

• 83º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

• 13.6%. That’s the percentage of Lakeland Police Department officers who identify as Black, compared to 20.5% of Lakeland’s population identifying as Black. Local leaders have asked the LPD to recruit a force that better mirrors Lakeland’s diversity. The latest police academy class is one of LPD’s most diverse. (The Ledger)

• Don’t find yourself in a post-parade slump following the Lakeland Christmas Parade. Stake out a spot at one of the nine other Polk County parades happening this month, from Bartow to Mulberry. Pro tip: Tag us in your parade pics for a chance to be featured. 🎅 (The Ledger)

• 1,151. That’s the number of students graduating from Polk State College on Thursday, Dec. 8. Graduates range in age from 16 to 63 years old, and 86% are Polk County residents. Celebrating a grad? Check out our list of 12 egg-cellent graduation season brunch spots. 🎓

• Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM) is collecting clothing, hygiene products, and items like blankets and puzzle books for Senior Orphans of Polk County. To donate, wrap your gift and attach a note with the contents, then drop it off at LVIM (600 W. Peachtree St.) by tomorrow, Nov. 30.

• Celebrate local art with the “One Wall” art exhibit, featuring works by 20 Central Florida artists. Pro tip: A ticket to Artful Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 3 includes admission to the “One Wall” exhibit pre-party on Friday, Dec. 2, with music by Anisette Mayer and drinks from Swan Brewing. 🖼

• If you want to learn more about a local farm and taste the beverages made there, wine not try the new “Experience Keel Farms” tour? Take a 45-minute tour around this farm to learn its history and try wine, beer, and cider made there. You can book your tour now.

• This ice is twice as nice. Rita’s Italian Ice is serving up a new frozen custard combination: Cotton candy and orange cream swirl. Stop by 3115 US Hwy. 98 N. today from 2-9 p.m. to try this Instagram-worthy flavor combo for yourself.
• Looking for a healthy midday snack? Organic dried mangoes are $3.99 per pound at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, Nov. 30. 🥭 *

• Sip and shop with Union Taproom’s Holiday Night Market. Visit the taproom (245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven) on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. to shop from local businesses while enjoying self-pour craft beers, pizza, and live music by Adrienne Richards.
• Trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone who seems to already have it all? Check out Uncommon Goods — an online marketplace for unique and globally-sourced gifts. A few of our favorites include this personalized bamboo cheese board, pickleball paddle tote bag, and indoor s’mores fire pit. 🎁*

• If getting ahead and being more financially fit is one of your upcoming New Year’s resolutions, there’s no time like the present. Here are eight tactics to build your savings + eliminate the stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck. 💵 *

• Already daydreaming about longer days and warmer weather? Get your kids summer-ready by registering for camp at the Aerospace Center for Excellence. Camps (offered June-July 2023) include themes such as Destination Aviation, STEMtastic, Take Flight, Engineering, She Can Fly + more. Pro tip: Sign up today and get an early bird discount. 🛩️*