Expect more markets to be announced at your favorite shops this season. | Photo by LALtoday
Holiday market season means plenty of opportunities to check off your gift lists while supporting local businesses. These markets and events are calling you for a shopping celebration.
Holiday Sip & Sprout Plant Festival
Grab a cup of cheer and shop for garden decor at Metals & Nature in Plant City. The festival is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 6.
Holidays on Central
Bandit Market will bring together 100+ vendors in Winter Haven’s Central Park tomorrow, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On top of that, an Elvis impersonator will serenade you while you shop.
Festive Fridays
Bring the kids to meet costumed characters in Munn Park on Dec. 12 + 19, and enjoy retail therapy with later hours at downtown shops like Scout & Tag and Tennessee Jane Boutique.
Holiday Night Market
Explore 200+ local vendors, live musicians, and food pop-ups along five blocks of Kentucky Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 13, 5-9 p.m.
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With specially trained physicians, nurses, and staff, families can trust their children are in expert hands whenever emergencies arise.
50,000. That was the expected attendance for last night’s Lakeland Christmas Parade, which brought visitors from all over to go “Rocking Around Lakeland.” If you missed the floats and festivities, catch up with the recording. (WFLA)
Shop
Hollis Garden will mark 25 years with the Silver Jubilee Plant Sale on Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Entry is free to shop and talk with local garden club members, and a portion of the proceeds will support the Hollis Garden Perpetual Care Fund.
Closing
See you later, SoCe Market. The restaurant in Winter Haven’s Bowen Yard announced it will close its doors this month. Head there by Christmas Day for one last sandwich, and explore the food hall’s other tasty tenants. (The Ledger)
Seasonal
Get into the holiday spirits at The Brass Tap, which has brought back its holiday pop-up Santa’s Tap Room. Visit the Lakeside Village bar for over-the-top decorations and winter-themed drinks, like the Poinsettia Smash.
The Word
Gardinner. That’s the name for dinners hosted by ArtisTree Gardens that feature zero-waste preparation + ingredients from local farms. Catch the next one on Thursday, Dec. 11 at The Osprey View Venue in Thonotosassa, where you can add Keel & Curley wine pairings. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Trending
We’re on cloud nine with Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year: PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer. It’s described as “a billowy white imbued with serenity,” and you’re sure to see it in Lakeland — just bring a blanket and go cloudwatching at a local park.
History
Before there was the Silver Bullet Band, Bob Seger put on a show in Lakeland at the Silvermoon Drive-In. Were you at this concert in 1973? Share your memories.
Health
Lakeland Regional Health’s new Highland City location (5101 US Hwy. 98 S.) is now open, offering Urgent Care and Primary Care. Call (863) 284-5000 for a Primary Care appointment with Dr. Jacob Glotfelty, who is now accepting new patients. For Urgent Care, call (863) 284-1649.*
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Lakelander
Life’s a marathon for Jonathan Mott
Here’s Mott running in the Berlin Marathon, where he set a PR of 2:17:20. | Photo by BMW Berlin Marathon
Among the 5,000+ runners taking on the 49th OUC Orlando Half Marathon, you can expect Jonathan Mott from Lakeland to be one of the quickest. This cornerstone member of the Lakeland Runners Club will lace up his sneakers for 13.1 miles through downtown Orlando tomorrow.
This isn’t Mott’s first rodeo. He qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials in 2016, 2020, and 2024. In his extensive career, he’s coached more than 400 runners (maybe even some of our readers) through his Lakeland-based RunnersFix Coaching Services.
Think you could beat his personal best time of 1:05:47? Tomorrow’s race is 94% full, but we amateurs can test our speeds at these upcoming 5Ks:
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Were you front row at the Christmas Parade? Watching from above in a parking garage? Taking it in by Lake Mirror? We want to see your photos. Send them in or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
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