Kids will take over Lakeside Village’s lawn this month during Kidchella. | Photo courtesy of Continental Realty Corporation
The weather is heating up, and so is Lakeland’s event scene. Grab your calendar, whip out the day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this June.
Markets + socials
License to Chill Pool Party | Sunday, June 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $125 | This all-inclusive, adults-only pool party will bring the island vibes with a live DJ and all-you-can-eat bites + beverages.
Festivals + family fun
Kids Club: Kidchella | Tuesday, June 3 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Kidchella kicks off the Lakeside Kids Club Series on The Lawn, with tinsel hair strands, a hula hoop show, DJ Scuba Steve, a craft station, and festive vibes for kids.
Seasonal events
Father’s Day Rod Run | Saturday, June 14 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Christina Park | Free+ | Register to show off your vehicle or browse around while taking in tunes from a live DJ, along with games, food, and raffles.
Concerts, exhibitions + performances
3rd Rumba Fest of Lakeland | Friday, June 20-Saturday, June 21 | Times vary | Uno Dos Tres Studio | $25+ | Dance the night away with bachata and salsa classes taught by guest instructors, plus performances and themed socials.
Get active
Zumba Master Class | Saturday, June 21 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Lake Mirror Auditorium | $25+ | Bust a move in this high-energy dance class taught by world-renowned Zumba instructor Jeimy Bueno.
Women’s Self-Defense Classes | 6 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | $12 | Enhance personal safety and learn self-defense techniques in this class for women ages 13 and up.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Tarpons | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $26+ | Treat yourself to a ticket to the ’34 Club for an all-you-can-eat feast as the Flying Tigers reel in the Tarpons.
Nickelodeon Trivia | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Come in costume to answer questions about your favorite childhood cartoons from Nick.
Thursday, May 29
Discover Your House History Workshop | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Uncover the story behind your home — from previous owners to what once occupied the land — in this interactive workshop.
Swan City Piano Festival 2025 Prelude Concert | 7-9 p.m. | Anne MacGregor Jenkins Recital Hall | Free | Get a sneak peek of what’s in store for the festival with a concert by cellist Dennis Fleitz and pianist Robert Fleitz.
Friday, May 30
Lakeland Cruisers Cruise Night | 5-8:30 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | View modern and classic cars at this family-friendly car show.
Candlelight: Tribute to Queen | 9-10:15 p.m. | Lake Mirror Auditorium | $35+ | Don’t stop us now — we’re having a good time at this candlelit performance of Queen’s music.
Saturday, May 31
SunSmart Summer | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Join this community picnic for info on sun + water safety, plus fun with bubbles, water toys, and a mermaid meet and greet.
Ladies Coffee & Book Exchange | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Haven Coffee Roasters, Winter Haven | $20+ | Grab your favorite book and exchange it with someone new at this brunch meet-up.
Tuesday, June 3
Advancements in Surgical Oncology | 6-8 p.m. | Watson Clinic Main Library | Free | Join Watson Clinic General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist Dr. Dany Barrak as he discusses the minimally invasive techniques that are revolutionizing cancer care.*
36%. That’s the percentage of Lakeland residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to the Trust for Public Land. Whether you prefer to travel by foot, bike, or car, save our guide to Lakeland’s top parks to find your next go-to spot.
Outdoors
Speaking of parks, new things are coming to Mulberry’s Bone Valley ATV Park. Polk County commissioners have contracted Kisinger Campo & Associates to engineer a 50-site campground on the park’s north side. The park will also begin offering ATV rentals this summer through Showdown ATV.
Eat
The food scene is popping over at Catapult, with the incubator’s Kitchen Members hosting summer pop-up food experiences, starting this week, featuring everything from crepe cakes to Indian fusion and soul food. Pro tip: Orders for Layers by KC’s Thursday pop-up are due by 10 a.m. today.
Tech
Kermit and Miss Piggy aren’t just famous “Muppets” characters — they’re also the names of aircraft that NOAA’s hurricane hunters use to fly out of LAL into storms. Get a sneak peek of how the team’s tech helps forecasters get a better view of what’s to come. (WOGX)
Biz
Calling all brides + hosts with the most. Modern Chic and Unique Events, a small biz specializing in custom florals, decor, and full-service event styling, has opened its first showroom in Lakeland. Find it on South Florida Avenue in the plaza next to Panera.
Read
It’s summer reading season, Lakeland.Kiddos can snag their free reading log at Lakeland Public Library branches beginning Friday, May 30. Return the log each week to receive a new prize, plus participate in experiences like Hero of Your Story and Reading with the Rays for even more prize potential.
Arts
Even masterpieces need a break. The AGB is adjusting its hours for the summer. Beginning Sunday, June 1 through Labor Day, the museum will be closed on Sunday and Monday. It will maintain its normal hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, plus extended evening hours on Thursdays.
Kids
Have time to spare this summer? Kids ages 2-15 can bowl two games for free daily at Maple Lanes in north Lakeland all summer long. Pro tip: With summer vacation less than 48 hours away for PCPS students, save our guide to kid-friendly activities to beat the boredom blues.
Lakelander
Sean Sweat has been an institution in the Lake Hollingsworth exercise scene for 15 years, known for carrying a US flag as he walks or runs. Sweat, a firefighter and US Army veteran, carries the flag during his workouts to honor veterans. We’ll salute that. (Bay News 9)
Fun Fact
You can co-own a movie studio. Add Hollywood to your portfolio + join 50,000+ investors including Morgan Freeman with Legion M, the world’s first fan-owned movie studio.†‡*
Category
Asked
🎶 Celebrate good times, come on
When it’s time to give a cheers, which restaurant takes the top spot? | Photo by LALtoday
When it comes to rentable venues, Lakeland has options for events of all sizes and scopes — but what about when it comes to restaurants specifically?
Sometimes you just want to celebrate over a good meal, and one of the most-asked questions we get from readers is where they can take their family, friends, or colleagues to enjoy one. While we have our own personal favorite recommendations (The Peach House for City Editor Connor and Saigon Bistro for Amelia), we’re turning to you to broaden our scope.
Let us know your must-visit dining spots that are worthy of a celebration — even better if they have a rentable room — and we’ll share some of the top responses in a future article. Bonus points if you share your go-to order.
This digital measuring spoon. Perfect for baking or any time you need a precise measurement, it features a battery-operated scale with multi-unit measuring.
I’m on the hunt for a great staycation or mini-vacation for me and my husband to take this November for both my birthday and our one-year anniversary. What can I say? I like to plan ahead.
Have any suggestions on where we should go? Spill the beans.
‡This is a paid advertisement for Legion M’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.legionm.com.
Answered
Answered
Should Lakeland have a senior center?
81% — Yes, and I would use it
11% — Sure, but I wouldn’t use it
5% — No, let’s try something else
Several readers also wrote in with additional suggestions such as creating an “age-friendly center” where older adults can interact with younger adults and children.
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