We can’t wait for weekends to visit the Downtown Farmers Curb Market. | Photo by @ashley_kent77
Just like Independence Day fireworks, Lakeland’s calendar is popping off this month. Bookmark these 21 can’t-miss events, from patriotic celebrations to family festivals.
Red, White & Kaboom Independence Day Celebration | Thursday, July 3 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade | Free+ | Gary Love and the Moonlighters bring the entertainment before a dazzling fireworks display over Lake Mirror at 9 p.m.
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Dunedin Blue Jays | Friday, July 4 | 5 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $12+ | Stay after the game to celebrate Independence Day with a stunning fireworks show above the field.
BEATLEBEAT: A Tribute To The Beatles Concert | Sunday, July 13 | 2 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $39 | Hear the greatest hits of the Fab Four and immerse yourselves in the Beatlemania craze of the 1960s.
LKLD SantaCon in July | Saturday, July 26 | 2-6 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub | Price of purchase | Dust off your Santa hat for an afternoon of holiday cheer and beer.
Zumba with Liv | 7-8 p.m. | Just Dance Courtyard Studio | $10 | Get an energy boost with cardio and muscle conditioning set to upbeat music.
Thursday, June 26
Board Game Night | 5:30-9 p.m. | HP Guild Games | Free | Play with others by borrowing from the game library, or BYOB — bring your own board (game).
Friday, June 27
Harvest Time Gospel Jubilee Concert Series | 10-11:30 a.m. | International Market World, Auburndale | Free | The Stantons take the Gator Theater stage for this Southern gospel music series.
Kids’ Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Munn Park | Price of purchase | Lakeland’s littlest entrepreneurs will have handmade projects and bakery items for sale.
StampFest | Saturday, June 28-Sunday, June 29 | Times vary | RP Funding Center | $15 | We see a weekend of card making and scrapbooking in the cards for you.
Smoke and Sea | 3-9 p.m. | Lakeland Square Mall | Price of purchase | Barbecue and seafood come together at this food festival, featuring live music outside the mall.
Talk about a proper pampering. | Photos by LALtoday
Hey Swan City, it’s your LALtoday team here, feeling runway-ready after an afternoon blowout at Establish 37’s brand-new Blowdry Bar in South Lakeland.
✨ What we tried
Our team stopped by the locally owned salon for a tour and full styling, which we chose from the curated blowout menu. We also got a complimentary dirty soda to sip while we sat.
The blowout was, in a word, sublime. Our friendly stylist:
It was as relaxing as it was fun, and we left looking ready for the weekend ahead.
💚 What we’re still talking about
The tranquil space. It was almost spa-like inside: clean and quiet, with calming neutral tones and a laid-back atmosphere. The perfect place to refresh and recharge with a few pals.
Plus, if you’re looking to glow up even more, the salon offers curated add-ons, makeup services, and even an on-site extension bar.
Pro tip: Make visits part of your self-care ritual with a monthly membership ($95 savings). Priority sign up this way.
The next big step in the Drane Field + Waring Roads resurfacing and roundabout project is coming up. Starting Monday, July 7, northbound Waring Road will be closed from Drane Field Road to the Polk Parkway through December. Pro tip: Exit the Parkway at Airport Road in the meantime.
Closed
Later, gators. Circle B Bar Reserve’s Alligator Alley Trail is partially closed due to high alligator mating activity. You can still take the Shady Oak Trail to see some of Alligator Alley — just follow these tips so you don’t interrupt the lovefest.
Open
High Class Academy has opened just south of Shepherd Road in Mulberry, offering training for cosmetology professionals. Students can learn barbering, manicuring, hair styling, and esthetics before taking state licensure + certification exams.
Biz
Already have your cosmetology license? Sola Salons at Lakeside Village is now leasing spaces before it opens — and offering some pretty suite deals. The salon buildout is currently in progress on the second floor of the Famous Footwear building.
Plan Ahead
Get down to business at the Central Florida Business Expo, coming back to the RP Funding Center on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit leaders are invited to join interactive breakout sessions + hear from inspiring speakers. Before tickets go on sale, exhibitor slots are open.
Lakelander
Harrison School for the Arts grad Zayda Martin was selected as one of 110 nominees for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. Martin performed at Monday’s star-studded ceremony on Broadway — skip to 29:00 to watch her solo.
Cause
Calling all nonprofits: Score $1,000 for your organization with Lakeland Electric’s Community Giving Grant program. Contact Lakeland Electric with any questions + apply before Friday, Aug. 1.*
Health
Living with a chronic condition? You may still qualify for affordable life insurance. Discover your options and how to find the right coverage, no matter your health status.*
Try This
POV: You’re in a bind trying to fill an important role for your local biz. We can help. Post your job on LALtoday Job Board and get connected to top local talent. Psst — it’s completely free.
Category
Pets
Dog days of summer
Leashed pups are always welcome at Bonnet Springs Park. | Photo by LALtoday
Here’s a heads pup for dog owners. Lake Crago Dog Park is due for repairs, so expect closures on these days:
Large dog section — Thursday, June 26 + Friday, June 27
Small dog section — Monday, June 30 + Tuesday, July 1
If this is your dog’s favorite place to play, try one of Lakeland’s nearby dog parks this week.
Cook Park Dog Park
This one is just a few minutes’ drive from Lake Crago Dog Park. Leashed pups are welcome at Cook Park, but you can let them loose in the dog park.
On Dog Time
Run free at Lakeland’s newest park downtown, and paws for a picture at the photo op by the entrance.
Printer ink that’s shipped to your house when you’re running low (yes, it’s a thing). HP Instant Ink makes printing worry-free by delivering ink before you run out automatically. Save up to 50% compared to buying cartridges the old-fashioned way.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Meet Andrea, the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. No worries here, because the tropical storm has formed far out in the North Atlantic, but it does put us one step closer to the experts’ predictions of 17 named storms.
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