Development: What’s new and coming soon to Lakeland

City: The who’s who and what’s what of Lakeland’s economy

Real Estate: Edgewood Drive’s first residence is up for sale

Travel + Outdoors: Lakeland hiking guide

Food: LALtoday pizza bracket

Culture: Movies filmed in and around Lakeland

History: The Wonder House — Polk County’s historic castle

• Light Up BSP | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the season with free nightly holiday-themed events, including live music concerts, visits with Santa, seasonal food + drinks, family-friendly activities, and so much more.*

• Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.

• Complimentary Gift Wrapping | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 24 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Price of donation | Have your gifts wrapped in the breezeway near BD’s Mongolian Grill — optional donations will support clubs at George Jenkins High School.

• Winter Break Family Class — Happy Penguin | Tuesday, Dec. 26 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $27-$29 | Bring the whole family to this guided painting class for a holiday break you won’t soon forget.

• Live Trivia w/ Chubby Wubby’s | Wednesday, Dec. 27 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Show what you know at this live trivia night while you enjoy bites from Chubby Wubby’s Hot Dogs and Swan Brewing beers.

• Spooky Book Club | Thursday, Dec. 28 | 5-6 p.m. | Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | Free | Join this monthly club to talk horror, thriller, and mystery books with other readers.

• Joinery After Dark | Friday, Dec. 29 | 8-11 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Dance the night away on The Joinery patio with music by DJ Barca.

• Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Saturday, Dec. 30 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robins Rd., Lakeland | $10-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.

• The Lakeland Housing Authority plans to build 86 units of multi-family affordable housing near Lake Beulah after demolishing the former West Lake apartments next year. Learn more about the Lakeland Housing Authority’s history, goals, and current programs for Lakelanders. (LkldNow)

• The first three of 14 Rodin sculptures lent to the Polk Museum of Art are on display now. More will be revealed throughout the galleries over time — including in the museum’s upcoming 14,000-sqft expansion. (The Ledger)

• If Christmas cooking isn’t on your wishlist, there are plenty of places in Polk County that can do it for you. Check out this list of restaurants that will be open on Dec. 25, including Sushi Masa, Antojitos Navideños Restaurant, Cozy Oaks, and more. (The Ledger)

• Delve into American history at the conference “A New Look at World War II,” happening Jan. 25-27 at Polk State College’s Center for Public Safety in Winter Haven. The conference will feature keynote speakers and an outing to the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History.

• Ready to ring in the new year? Celebrate New Year’s Eve with events happening across Lakeland, from grand dinners to a family art class to champagne toasts at midnight.

• A $9.7 million road project near Bartow Executive Airport has finished ahead of schedule. The intersection at US 17 and Spirit Lake Road has been reconstructed with new turn lanes, signals, crosswalks, and sidewalks added in the area. (The Ledger)

• ICYMI, we launched our very own monthly newsletter all about local wellness news, trends, and events in Lakeland. See the first edition of LALtoday Wellness, created in partnership with Lakeland Regional Health, for five common holiday injuries, upcoming walks + races, navigating mental health this season, and more. Subscribe.*

• Registration is open for Spring art classes at the Polk Museum of Art. Perfect as a holiday gift, these workshops offer adults + teens the opportunity to gain new skills in a relaxed atmosphere. From Figure Drawing to Photoshop for Photographers, there’s a wide range of disciplines to choose from.*

• Well, this is officially our last News Note of 2023. Thank you to our LALtoday community for staying connected with us this year. If you want to support us in 2024, consider becoming a member — you’ll support us directly and keep these newsletters coming. Until next year, folks.