Lake Morton always has a swan-derful holiday display. | Photo by @lkldlense
We’re searching for Lakeland communities that go all out with holiday decorations — and we know you might be, too. Here’s where to find them, whether you’re driving through or hoping to live somewhere that matches your holiday cheer.
Ask the expert
Who knows lights better than the pros putting them up? We reached out to Brian Seeley at Light Up Lakeland to learn which neighborhoods are keeping them busy this season.
Lake Hollingsworth is a go-to, and Seeley also said to head south toward the Delphi neighborhood off of Lakeland Highlands Road (just note that it’s gated).
Home for the holidays: 2424 Delphi Cir. | 2,914-sqft, contemporary-style home in the Delphi neighborhood
You could say this house is full of character(s). | Photo by Reader Tim G.
Reader recs
Reader Tim G. suggested 8009 Ridgeglen Cir. E., near North Socrum Loop Road, which is decked out with inflatables from Minions to Peppa Pig.
Home for the holidays: 8012 Glenridge Ln. | 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom right around the corner from Tim’s pick
Free Play Florida 2024 | Friday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 24 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | $10+ | Leave your quarters at home — admission includes unlimited gaming on hundreds of new + classic arcade games.
Plant City Pig Jam | Friday, Nov. 22-Saturday, Nov. 23 | Times vary | Randy Larson Softball Fourplex, Plant City | Free+ | Pig out with barbecue contests and live entertainment — parking is $20.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Community Recovery Outreach Event | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free | United Way of Central Florida will host community organizations offering resources for disaster relief.
STEM in the Park | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Head to the Nature Center Classroom to try out model-making and engineering while learning about Florida’s wild turkey population.
Santa Pics | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 12 p.m. | The Doggie Bag: A Pet Boutique | $45 | Call to schedule a time for kids + pets alike to get a photo with the big man himself.
Signing with Artist Aaron Conley | 4 p.m. | Coliseum of Comics Lakeland | Free+ | Grab a copy of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto” mini-series and meet the comic artist behind the cover.
Margarita Ball | 8-11 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade (Lake Mirror) | $45+ | Bring an unwrapped toy ($15 value) and indulge in complimentary margaritas, live music, and bites for a cause.*
Sunday, Nov. 24
Charcuterie Workshop | Sunday, Nov. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $40 | It’s okay to get cheesy in this class with The Creative Kitchen.
Holiday Spectacular | 2-6 p.m. | Uliana Estate | Free | Make the weekend merry with local performers, dazzling lights, delicious treats, and a toy drive for Hope House.
Swan City Jazz Jamz | 5-8 p.m. | Union Hall | $10 | Make a donation to the Blended Family Foundation to enjoy jazz tunes or join in with other musicians.
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Presented By Harlestons
Harlestons has opened their 40% site-wide sale exclusively for our readers. | Video by Harlestons
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New Polk County School Board member Travis Keyes was sworn in this week to represent District 2. He starts his term alongside reelected members Sara Beth Wyatt and William Allen, who was also selected as board chair. (The Ledger)
Edu
Pencils up — the PCPS school choice application window will open from Jan. 13 to Feb. 21. School choice offers families the chance to apply for magnet schools, career academies, and IB + Cambridge programs. Study up on the options.
Concert
The stars are flying in for SUN ‘n FUN’s Opening Day Concert on April 1, 2025. Country singer Tyler Hubbard, formerly of the group Florida Georgia Line, will headline the show on the Warbird Ramp, featuring special guest Uncle Kracker. Your fly-in ticket includes concert admission.
Community
The City of Lakeland has a new emergency management director: David Charles Cox, who brings years of experience from the Marines, FBI, and law fields. In his new role, Cox will work to mitigate and manage crises through the city’s Emergency Management Plan. (LkldNow)
Cause
Calling all elves. Polk County Toys for Tots needs more volunteers to ensure its efforts can continue next year. Last year, they gave 80,000 toys to kids in need, and that number keeps growing as more people move to Lakeland. Find out how to volunteer. (Fox 13 News)
Real Estate
A local investor has purchased the Northtowne Square shopping center on Highway 98 North for $15.5 million — nearly double what it sold for in 2018. The plaza includes 20 tenants, including Linksters, Brewlands Bar, and Fancy Fruit & Produce. Future plans for the center are TBA. (Business Observer)
Sports
Polk County natives turned pro athletes Dazeran “Duke Skywalka” Jones and Terry Rose will return to teach a basketball clinic next week. Head to the Lakeland Family YMCA on Monday, Nov. 25 for a middle school session at 9 a.m. and high school session at 12 p.m. (The Ledger)
Asked
What locally-owned business will you be shopping at for Small Business Saturday? Let us know your favorite Swan City small business for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. Bonus points if you share what items you’re excited to buy.
Trending
What is this feeling? Probably excitement for the popular film release of “Wicked” in theaters today. Catch tonight’s screening at 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Moon Drive-In, then read up on the history of the local theater.
Health
Need an eye exam? Watson Clinic Optometrist Elizabeth N. George, OD offers routine and diabetic eye exams, common eye treatments, prescription eyewear, and more from Watson Clinic Main in Lakeland. Immediate appointments are available, even on Saturdays. Learn more.*
Drink
Looking to shake things up this weekend? The Lakeland Margarita Ball returns this Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 to 11 p.m. Enjoy drinks, local bites, and live music while raising money + collecting holiday gifts for kids. Grab tickets.*
Listen
What happens when you combine German engineering with the world’s most trusted name in hearing care? The biggest breakthrough in hearing technology in more than a decade. Join 400,000+ people hearing better than ever with the Horizon hearing aid. (Did we mention the 45-day no-risk trial?)*
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Now walk it out
Map users can select which block or area they’re curious about — once selected, the block will be outlined in yellow. | Screenshot via Close
How walkable is Lakeland, really?
Let’s say you’re looking to buy a new home in a Lakeland neighborhood that you’re not completely familiar with. Or perhaps you have family members trying to figure out what’s near that local Airbnb they’re visiting soon.
An interactive map called “Close” helps determine if you can walk to specific destinations like supermarkets, parks, coffee shops, and schools in Lakeland — and how long those walks will take.
A local look
In this example, we’re looking at a block near Lake Hollingsworth between Derbyshire Avenue and Cleveland Heights Boulevard. We chose to look at this block’s distance from five destination types:
Parks | <5 minutes
Supermarkets | 19 minutes
Coffee shops | 19 minutes
Libraries | >30 minutes
Public schools | 13 minutes
You can also add a number of other destinations like public transit stops, restaurants, bars, and gyms. Keep reading to learn how to use it yourself.
Yesterday, Amelia and I got the chance to speak to students at Sleepy Hill Middle School for the Great American Teach-In. They had some great questions about our favorite stories from over the years. I had to shout out our sneak peeks of Bonnet Springs Park before it opened — if you can remember a time before it became a local staple.
Answered
Answered
What was Polk County’s rank among the wealthiest counties in Florida?
According to a recent study by SmartAsset, Polk County came in at No. 36 out of 67 counties when it came to median income, investment income, and property values. Add that to your wealth of knowledge.
