Festivals, celebrations + community events

Merry music

Fa-la-la-la-family

Festive food + drink

• Jukebox Bingo & Saddle Up Burgers | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Listen for songs on your jukebox bingo card and play for prizes.
• BSP Trivia Night | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy half-off draft beers, house wines, and select liquors while you put your general knowledge to the test.
• A Magical Snowy Wonderland | Thursday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Watch the snowflakes swirl around Lakeside Village’s iconic tree at the top of each hour on select nights through December.

• First Friday: Holiday Spectacular | Friday, Dec. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | This month’s event will feature performances by local students near Munn Park and photos with Santa at Crews Bank.
• Smokepoint Christmas Spectacular: A Toys for Tots Benefit Concert | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Donate to Toys for Tots and enjoy music by Smokepoint + food by One Stop Food Truck.

• Selfies with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hollis Garden, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | Free | Bring your camera to take a photo with Santa Claus in Lakeland’s charming public garden.
• “The Nutcracker” | Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Rochelle School for the Arts, 1501 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $8-$25 | Florida Dance Theatre will present this ballet featuring students from Crystal Lake Elementary and Rochelle School for The Arts.

• Residents have started a petition for the city to add a Christmas tree to the holiday decor at Munn Park. City and downtown staff say there isn’t a tree due to budget and safety constraints. Instead, they urge Lakelanders to check out the tree overlooking Lake Mirror. (The Ledger)

• There’s snow place like Lakeland’s Snowfest. Take a stroll through the snow and visit Santa’s workshop at this City of Lakeland event on Saturday, Dec. 9, 5-9 p.m., on the Frances Langford Promenade. Pro tip: A canned good donation counts as your entry ticket.

• Polk resident Ashley Bell Barnett has been appointed to the Board of Governors for Florida’s State University System. Barnett has experience as an educator and has been a Polk State Board of Trustees member since 2018. (The Ledger)

• Do you have art smarts? If so, apply to be a volunteer docent at the Polk Museum of Art, where you’ll give tours and help visitors. There’s no prior experience necessary — applications close tomorrow, Dec. 1.

• The Back Nine will celebrate its one-year anniversary of moving downtown on Dec. 15. Start celebrating early by trying out the new menu or book a tee time on one of the golf simulators.

• The Orange Blossom Revue returns to Lake Wales tomorrow and runs through Saturday night. Catch American roots music by national artists like The Wood Brothers and JJ Grey & Mofro at the eighth year of this music festival. Tickets start at $65. (The Ledger)

• Not content with your content? Haus 820 is hosting Deck the Haus, a free content capturing event on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Bring your own camera to take your own photos and videos at different backdrops throughout the event space.

• You’ve made your list and checked it twice — now it’s time to hop into holiday shopping. The best way to shop local this holiday season? Tickets to the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra. Use the Season Flex Pass to save 20% when bundling any four concerts.*

• Last call for this exclusive deal: Score 50% off everything online at Harlestons — the Golf Digest/Golfweek/Golf Channel-featured premium men’s apparel brand — with code BF50. (We especially love their performance polos.) Bonus: Free shipping on $125+ and easy returns, always.*