Today’s Note

Hey Lakeland, Connor here. It’s a relatively quiet weekend as the city comes back from a busy holiday season. I wouldn’t miss the very first First Friday of the year, and there are also a few comedy shows that you could hit after you walk through downtown. Here’s more to try out during the first weekend of 2024.

Events

Friday, Oct. 27

Halloween Bash: Galactic Invasion | Friday, Oct. 27 | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | Have some out-of-this-world fun with trick-or-treating, a live DJ, and family fun on the Lawn.
Resurrected: Haunted Jail | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Polk County Jail, 455 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow | $5-$15 | Keep an eye out for ghosts and goblins as you make your way through the jail and enjoy a street carnival outside.
Pineapple Carving + Cocktails | Friday, Oct. 27 | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E Main St, Lakeland | $45 | Try a tropical twist on traditional pumpkin carving — each ticket gets you a pineapple, carving tools, and two cocktails.

Saturday, Oct. 28

Parade of Homes — Southern Homes | Saturday, Oct. 28-Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Gresham Farms Model Center, 4857 Drake Ave, Lakeland | Free | Attend this fall parade of homes, then visit the model center to enter to win a Dyson V15.
SUN ‘n FUN Family Spooktacular | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-9 p.m. | Sun ‘n Fun, 4075 James C Ray Dr., Lakeland | $5 | Trick-or-treat on the taxiway and visit Ms. Pat’s Traveling Emporium of Horror — overnight plane and RV camping is available.
Fall Night Market | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop, dine, and enjoy live music under the stars with 100+ vendors from Lemon Street to Oak Street.
Eala’s Boos and Booze Halloween Swing Party | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 8-11 p.m. | Frescos, 132 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $40-$ | Brush off your zoot suits and flapper dresses for a night of fun, music, tapas, and cocktails.

Sunday, Oct. 29

Commodores U.S. Navy Jazz Band | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | Free | Listen to the Navy’s jazz ensemble for traditional big band music and jazz vocal arrangements — reservations are encouraged.
PAL-OWEEN | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 5-8 p.m. | PAL Complex, 325 W. 2nd St., Lakeland | Free | Visit trunk-or-treat stations and a photo area fit for the whole family
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Nov. 4 | Times vary | Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, 2837 S. Frontage Rd., Plant City | $27-$57 | Celebrate this attraction’s 10th season with three outdoor haunted trails, a new haunted hayride, escape games, and axe throwing.

Plan your Halloweekend

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From the editor

Ranked

No. 20. That’s what the Lakeland-Winter Haven area ranked on the Wall Street Journal’s list of The Most Cutting-Edge Small Cities. Rankings were based on the proportion of tech workers with high-wage, high-demand tech skills. (The Wall Street Journal)

Shop

Weekends are made for deal hunting. We rounded up Lakeland’s fantastic flea markets, antique shops, or thrift stores— or you can give your shopping list a Halloween twist by searching for Polk County’s creepiest dolls.

Holiday

Want to skip the scares and jump straight to Christmas? Disney World is gearing up for the holiday season on Nov. 11. Read up on the events and entertainment coming to the resort through the end of the year, including free activities at Disney Springs. (WFLA)

Asked

🎃 Where’s the best place to trick-or-treat?

A digital map showing Halloween event locations in Lakeland — Add your neighborhood to our map if it’s open to trick-or-treaters.
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Map via Proxi

We’ve been on both sides of the Halloween struggle: Either wondering which neighborhoods are celebrating, or sitting at home with a full candy bowl and no one at the door. Lucky for you, our community map where you can add or find trick-or-treat stops, events, and decorative displays is here.

We started the map off with Halloween-themed events happening around town through this weekend, plus a spot full of decorations if you’re just looking for a fall photo-op. Don’t be afraid to add your neighborhood, a community trunk-or-treat, or even your house if you’ve got the iconic 12-ft skeleton outside.

Add a location

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
LALtoday Team

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