Sparks are sure to fly at these April events. | Photo by @ashley_kent77
These April events will have you covered — and you won’t even need a light jacket.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to next month.
Festivals + family fun
SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Tuesday, April 1-Sunday, April 6 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $18+ | It’s the 51st year of this annual expo featuring air shows, interactive activities for the whole family, and the latest + greatest aviation tech.
Concerts + performances
Almost ABBA | Saturday, April 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $25+ | Calling all dancing queens — don’t miss this show of ABBA’s greatest hits, with special guests the She Gees.
Get social
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Cocktail Experience | Saturday, April 19 | Times vary | Polk Theatre | $45 | Put on your deerstalker cap and grab a magnifying glass for this interactive show that will let you play detective while sipping four mysteriously tasty bevs.
Get active
2nd Annual Putts Fore Mutts | Friday, April 25 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Huntington Hills Golf Course | $110+ | Sign up as a solo player or register your team and raise some green on the greens to benefit Polk County Bully Project.
Seasonal events
18th Annual Swan Derby | Friday, April 25 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror | Free+ | Don your derby best to support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine with “Alice in Wonderland”-themed swan boat races and a VIP party.
Bilingual Storytime | 10-10:30 a.m. | Larry R. Jackson Library | Free | Enjoy songs, rhymes, and books in both English + Spanish for little learners ages 2-5.
Poetry & Open Mic Night | 7 p.m. | Union Hall | Free | Share your poetry, writing, or other creative works at The Mothership Imprint’s next event.
“Work Sucks!” Comedy Showcase | 8-10 p.m. | Laugh Out Lounge, Winter Haven | $15 | If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry, so let out a chuckle at this top-rated show.
Friday, March 28
Flavorful Friday at JJ’s Fusion Khaana | 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland Patio Area | Price of purchase | Order ahead to grab a flavorful rainbow box for lunch, along with a cup of hot or iced chai.
Symbols of Florida | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Find native plants and wildlife, like mockingbirds, that represent Florida while playing state symbol bingo.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony | 10-11 a.m. | Lakeland Veterans Memorial Park | Free | Honor those who served in the Vietnam War with the City of Lakeland, Polk County Veterans Council, and keynote speaker Mary Jane Wilkin.
Sunday, March 30
Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market Vol. 10 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | It’s okay to be a punk at the 10th iteration of this event featuring 70+ vendors, food trucks, and live performances by bands hailing from Lakeland to Atlanta.
Dances of the Diaspora | 4-8 p.m. | The Well | Free | Guitarist Robert Phillips will perform a suite of works by US composers inspired by their countries of origin.
Daughtery Road Park in north Lakeland will get major improvements after county commissioners approved a $736,759 construction contract last week. The project’s first phase will focus on creating three multipurpose fields, a concession stand, restrooms, and parking in the park’s northeast quadrant. A timeline is TBA.
Lakelander
A.J. Slater has been honored with the Carnegie Medal — the highest civilian award for heroism in North America — after saving a 3-year-old child from a burning vehicle last November. Slater was selected to receive the award alongside 17 other citizens and is thought to be Polk County’s first-ever recipient. (The Ledger)
Edu
Southeastern University is expanding its global presence with the opening of Evangelical University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. SEU partnered with Argentinian faith leaders to build out the curriculum + accreditation for the first-of-its-kind school, which will initially offer students three bachelor’s degree programs.
Civic
Have a heart for the arts? The City of Lakeland is seeking to fill two open seats on the Mayor’s Council on the Arts. Council members serve up to two three-year terms + will be responsible for driving participation, advocating, and allocating grant funding for local arts orgs. Get applying.
Cause
Speaking of the arts, Mayfaire by-the-Lake is seeking volunteers for this year’s festival, happening Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11 on Lake Morton. Sign up to help out with general operations, selling + organizing merchandise, helping out in the Kids Zone, and more — no prior experience necessary.
Arts
The arts news just keeps coming. Two new murals by local artists Sherelle White and Ron Bell are in the works behind the Tax Collector building on Massachusetts Avenue. Can’t wait for the big reveal in a few weeks? Brush up on Lakeland’s other many murals until then.
Outdoors
An injured bald eagle is on the road to recovery at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey after a Mulberry man discovered the bird outside his home. The eagle — which had a fracture in its right wing — is expected to be re-released into the wild in a few weeks. (WFLA)
Biz
Get ready for another week of cheeseburgers in paradise. Polk County Burger Week is back from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 27. Restaurants can reach out to Good Food Polk to get a bite of the action + submit their specialty creations. We like ours with lettuce and tomato.
Award
Polk State College’s Associate Vice President for Communications, Madison Fantozzi, has been named a “40 Under 40” honoree by the News Service of Florida. Since joining Polk State in 2017, Fantozzi has helped the college capture more than 23,000 followers across Facebook, X, and Instagram + launched its first-ever podcast.
Edu
Lakes Church Academy is growing: A high school is coming to campus this fall. Learn more and apply.*
Travel
Making summer 2025 your main character era? Perfect timing: Snag this travel credit card’s rare, limited-time welcome bonus (worth ~$1,000) to fuel your summer adventures — whether it’s island-hopping like a “Love Is Blind” escapee, chasing Sabrina or Kendrick on tour, or simply living your best jet-set life.*
Finance
If you’re in credit card debt, you could spend hours (or days, or weeks) mapping out how to reduce it on your own... or you could let Freedom Debt Relief step in to renegotiate with debtors and consolidate your payments. See if you qualify.*
Wellness
Looking to boost hair thickness and volume in as little as 3-6 months?† Through Hims & Hers, you can access personalized, clinically-backed treatment options without leaving home (if prescribed). Skip the office visits and insurance headaches — just effective solutions that work.*
Travel
The opposite of sticker shock? Going’s free travel membership, which alerts you when flights leaving your airport are 40-90% off. You’re welcome.*
†Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information.
Category
Development
🎢 Let’s get ready to Lego
These upcoming developments are on another Lego-vel. | Photo by @bumpgalletta
New things are coming to Legoland Floridabrick by brick. If you’re rounding up the family for a trip to this themed paradise nestled in Winter Haven, here are three new things to expect by the end of next year.
Renovated hotel rooms
In April, Legoland Hotel will unveil 20 renovated rooms themed after Lego’s Duplo, Friends, and Ninjago brands. Each room sleeps five people + the suites fit nine, so you can bring your whole crew.
SEA LIFE Florida
On Friday, May 23, guests will go under the sea at Polk County’s only aquarium. It will feature 300 aquatic animals, a 180-degree ocean tunnel, and interactive exhibits.
Indoor roller coaster
In 2026, Legoland Florida will launch its first indoor roller coaster on the former Lego Flying School site. Theming is yet to be revealed, but “expect an experience that combines the creative world of LEGO building with an exhilarating ride and storyline.”
The Buy
The Buy
A purse organizer that’s 69% off thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Say goodbye to a messy handbag with this organizer featuring 13 thoughtfully designed pockets to keep everything in its place. Read: You’ll never be endlessly digging around for your keys again.
After sharing the news that the Publix time and temperature line for Lakeland will be disconnected by the end of the month, our readers wrote in with memories as sweet as a sprinkle cookie. My personal favorite was from reader Terri S., who said that she called the number for years “to know what the weather was going to be so I’d know what to wear to school or work.”
Answered
Answered
When was the very first Mayfaire by-the-Lake festival held in Lakeland?
Our readers really are the Mayfairest of them all, with 34% correctly guessing 1971. Tap the button below to get more deets on this year’s featured artist for Mayfaire.
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