Whether you’re a coffee, tea, or snack lover, these Lakeland spots are serving up sensational seasonal flavors. | Photo by LALtoday
Winter flavor lovers, your time has come — Lakeland’s food scene is fully embracing the holiday spirit with these festive food + drink items. How many of these local treats will you try this season?
Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro | Try Jeannie’s Espresso Dolce — an espresso steamed with sweet milk — in honor of restaurateur Jeannie Weaver-Lopez.
Andrew’s Coffee | Go for a classic peppermint mocha or get your Christmas cookie flavor fix with the sugar cookie latte — and don’t forget the reindeer duck straws, launching this weekend.
Order your cranberry chickpea salad on ciabatta bread or a vegan croissant.
The Juice Box Cafe | Cran you believe this spot’s cranberry chickpea salad has already sold out twice since coming out? Pair it with an iced peppermint mocha or frozen hot chocolate.
Tea Largo | Even folks on the naughty list can get some love with The Grinch matcha latte or a blended “coal-puccino” featuring mocha and food-grade charcoal.
B-I-N-G-O | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Joinery | Free+ | Enjoy specials on craft brews, wine, house spirits, and classic drinks while you compete for five in a row.
The Lakeland Stamp Club | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Peggy Brown Building | Free | Share your interest in stamp collecting at this casual gathering.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Line Dance Lesson & Bar Night | 5-11:45 p.m. | Union Hall | $8 | Cut loose with a line dancing lesson and drink of your choice, then stick around for open floor dancing + beverage deals.
Winter Wreath Workshop | 7 p.m. | Bloom Shakalaka | $75 | If a handmade wreath is on your wish list, create one for your home in this step-by-step workshop.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Better Together Community Job Fair | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Life Source Community Church | Free | Lakelanders can explore jobs from a variety of sectors + receive one-on-one job coaching from professionals.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” | Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Theatre Winter Haven, Winter Haven | $36 | Local actors will perform this holiday classic in the style of a live 1940s radio broadcast.
Friday, Dec. 6
First Friday: Holiday Spectacular | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free+ | Santa Claus is coming to town for pictures while local makers + food trucks set up shop throughout downtown.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Walk to End Alzheimer’s | 8 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Join this 2-mile walk solo or with a team to help raise $250,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
While you’re there, we highly recommend stopping by the stunning new exhibit on Dutch Expressionism. | Images provided by the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art
Cafe Zuppina has closed up shop until further notice due to financial struggles. The Mediterranean eatery formerly located off of South Florida Avenue moved downtown earlier this year. The future of its current space on South Tennessee Avenue is TBD. (LkldNow)
Outdoors
Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources department is seeking public comments on the Lake Hancock Trails Master Plan. Plant your feedback in the online form, or attend a public meeting at Circle B Bar Reserve’s Nature Discovery Center next Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4-6 p.m.
Cause
If you’re looking for ways to help Lakeland’s older adults this holiday season, Polk’s Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers to help deliver 550+ meals weekly countywide. Seeking a more hands-on gig? Light and Life Mobile Home Park needs volunteers to clean up areas damaged by Hurricane Milton. (The Ledger + Bay News 9)
Travel
Get ready to pack your bags. Avelo has opened up its flight schedule through Labor Day weekend of next year. Before you jet set to one of the nine nonstop destinations out of LAL, get the scoop on what you need to know. (Business Observer)
Festival
Fa-la-la-la into the holiday spirit at the Camphor Heights Holiday Festival this Saturday, Dec. 7. The all-day event kicks off at 10 a.m. at Dobbins Park + will feature vendors, games, musicians, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.
Wellness
Dates have been announced for the next series of breast cancer survivorship workshops from Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program. See the full list of available classes taking place on select Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter + spring.
Plan Ahead
The Bonnet Springs Park 5K will make its return next spring on Saturday, March 29. Want to race with a community? Lakeland Runners Club’s next nine-week training program kicks off on Jan. 25, just in time for the event.
Fun Fact
LALtoday does not have paywalls because we believe access to essential local news is priceless. You can support our free, daily newsletter with a donation. Think of it like buying us coffee — or tea, if that’s more your style. Thank you for your support.
If holiday shopping — on top of your outstanding debt — is weighing on you this season, find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Shop
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Plan Ahead
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Category
Asked
🏆 It’s go(al) time
What do you hope to do as a Lakelander next year? | Image via Catapult
With less than a month left in 2024, we can’t help but reminisce on all that has happened in Lakeland this year — from new developments to unforgettable events, and everything in between.
As we look to the next year, we’re calling on you to tell us what you’re hoping to accomplish as a Lakelander in 2025. Whether you’ve lived here for two months or 20+ years, we’re firm believers that there’s always something new to explore in our city.
Maybe you’re like City Editor Amelia who has a goal to try more restaurants next year, or City Editor Connor who is still hoping to ride the Amtrak and skip that I-4 traffic. Whatever your Lakeland goal is, help us create our bucket list for the new year by sharing it with us.
Your Lakeland goals
According to our poll, our readers are equally as interested in trying more restaurants in the new year as they are in visiting more local attractions — both choices captured around 29% of respondents’ votes. Another 23% hope to attend more local events, 16% are looking to volunteer with a new organization, and 4% shared other ideas.
Here are a few goals that stood out for us.
Reader Maja O. hopes to grab a bite from Good Thyme and Peach House in the new year, but is also wanting “recommendations for more hidden places.” Say less, Maja — we’ve got you covered.
Reader Kathy S. is looking to use her time as a retiree to “explore as much of Polk County as [she] can.” Our guide to activities for older adults is a great place to start.
Reader Mike C. shared that he hopes to “find a restaurant or other place that has piano music,” so we hope he gets to try out The Pink Piano next year. Check out these live music venues to find your favorite music style — there’s a little something for everyone.
Reader MaryAnn H. is wanting to stay close to home in the new year, saying “I want to spend more time in my city versus having to think I need to head over to Brandon or Tampa.” We’re right there with you, MaryAnn. Bookmark our community calendar to help find local Lakeland events each day.
Reader Brenda H. is feeling inspired to serve in the new year, sharing that she hopes to “find an animal-related volunteer opportunity to start with.” We’re paws-itive we have the perfect opportunity on our list.
Whatever your goal is as a Lakelander for 2025, we’ll be cheering you on, so make sure to keep us updated.
Asked
What’s your No. 1 goal as a Lakelander for 2025?
A. Try new or different restaurants B. Attend more local events C. Visit more local attractions (think: museums, parks, etc.) D. Volunteer with a new organization E. Something else
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Going along with my goal for 2025, if you have a hole-in-the-wall, lesser-known Lakeland restaurant that is an absolute must-try, send it my way. My husband and I are always looking for more date night spots.
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