Help us map out our winter wonderland. | Photo by Reader Tim G.
The radio said “deck the halls,” and Lakelanders understood the assignment.
Whether you’re looking for neighborhoods to drive through in the family car or want to celebrate with others, we’re mapping it all out: the most decorated streets, get-togethers for all ages, and drive-thru displays with the brightest lights. All we need are your submissions.
We’ll drive for excellent events — feel free to add points in nearby towns, too.
Map via Proxi
Add your location to our interactive map to invite all of Lakeland, or bookmark it to refer to all season long.
Pro tip: Should visitors park somewhere else, or will they need cash? Do your inflatables turn on at a certain time each night? Be sure to add any must-know details in your submission.
The historic home where Frank Lloyd Wright and (according to local legend) Elvis Presley spent time is still pending on Lakeland’s real estate market. See what made these greats visit.
Sports
The 2026 Winter Olympics begin in just 60 days. Soon, athletes from across the globe will head to the picturesque slopes of Northern Italy to compete for the highest accolades in Alpine athletics. Here in Central Florida, a visit to Snowcat Ridge will help get you in the spirit of the games.
Ranked
Craving a slice of ‘za? Chowhound just named its top hole-in-the-wall pizza spot in Florida, and a pizzeria in Miami claimed the title. We think they’re sleeping on Lakeland’s pizza scene — peruse our pizza guide to find your new favorite slice.
Travel
$45. That’s the fee you’ll owe at TSA checkpoints starting in February if you show up without a REAL ID and still want to fly. Save yourself the cash (and the hassle) by securing your REAL ID in Polk County ahead of travel time.
Trending
Meet the latest holiday trend taking over the internet: “Tacky Christmas.” The look leans into nostalgic kitsch — think rainbow lights, sparkly tinsel, and mismatched ornaments. Want to join in? Local thrift shops are a great place to start. (House Beautiful)
Older Adults
Healthy eating, going for walks, and gardening. Those are three things that a group of centenarians credit for their long life in a new UnitedHealthcare survey of 100-year-olds. Another common factor was keeping an active social life, and there are plenty of ways to do that in Lakeland.
Number
27,400+. That’s how many active job listings you can find on our Job Board. Explore openings in manufacturing, sales, marketing, and beyond. Roles for all experience levels are hiring now. Find a new gig for 2026.
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan — a structured, supportive way to map out your 2026 wellness goals now.*
Edu
There’s still time to register for Spring 2026 online classes at Southeastern University. Register to be a more educated version of yourself in the new year, whether you’re starting out or starting over.*
Category
Trending
🎧 We listen and we don’t judge
Spotify, meet Swan City. | Photo by LALtoday
Spotify Wrapped dropped last week, but Lakeland didn’t make it onto lists of music listening statistics. What gives? Forced to take matters into our own hands, we’re wrapping up the answers from a few readers who shared their results with more local data.
Top genres
Surprisingly, no genre stood out as the most popular. Your top genres ranged from soundtracks to progressive metal. It’s all about variety.
Top artists
Your favorite artists ranged from K-pop group Red Velvet to 2025 Super Bowl headline Kendrick Lamar — his song “luther (with sza)” was the second most popular in the Tampa area this year.
Top song You know together we’re glowin’. “Golden” by HUNTR/X was a hit for Lakelanders, and “Ordinary” by Alex Warren was the most-Googled song in our area.
Top podcast
We only got a handful of these recs, but motherhood pods reigned supreme for reader Lady L., who suggested “The Mama’s Den.”
Are you leaning into the “Tacky Christmas” trend this year? I keep my winter decor pretty modern, but I lucked out this year by finding an old piece of Christmas village decor at the Salvation Army that fits the trend. Whatever your style, I’d love for you to add your decorated house to our holiday map.
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