See how many of our favorite things you can try in the new year. | Photos by LALtoday
Eat, drink, and be merry. We did all that and more over the last 12 months. Connor here — to celebrate the end of another year in Lakeland, I’m looking back on my editor’s picks for the best things I tried in 2025. Keep scrolling through the newsletter to see what readers sent in.
Food Hakucho | Pork dumplings
Somewhere out there, I’m sure an etiquette coach is showing a photo of me slurping up the coconut milk broth that comes with these delicate dumplings, telling students what not to do — but I don’t care.
Polk County Clerk Stacy Butterfield led 20 couples in a romantic, public ceremony in downtown Bartow.
Photo by LALtoday
Events 12th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding
When it comes to romance, maybe you don’t think of Bartow, but love was in the air there for 20 couples this Valentine’s Day. My calendar is already marked for next Feb. 14.
Activities Swan Roundup
This was the first time I got to ride along with the city’s team to wrangle the final swans on the lake for their health checkups. Bucket list item: check.
Tis the Season: Holiday Concert | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Head to Lakeside Village for an enchanting evening of holiday cheer, including live music, storytime with Santa + Mrs. Claus, festive treats, and even a little snow.*
Road crossings were a big topic in the City Commission’s final meeting of the year. Commissioners approved the location for an I-4 crossing from Walt Williams Road to SR 33. However, they paused plans for a pedestrian bridge from New York Avenue to Lake Wire after state funding was cut. (LkldNow)
Ranked
No. 4. That’s what the Lakeland-Winter Haven area ranked on Realtor.com’s list of US metros where home values are decreasing. According to the study, median values here dropped 4.4% year over year, and the median listing price is now $339,900.
Feel Good
PCPS’ Information Systems and Technology department may have a side gig as Santa’s elves. The team raised $5,500 to surprise Pinewood Elementary preschoolers with new clothes, toys, and bikes at their annual Kiddie Christmas event. These smiles say it all.
Watch
What does it take to keep holiday gifts arriving on time? Hard work and miles of conveyor belts. Go behind the scenes of a night shift at Lakeland’s Amazon Air Hub to learn more. (Fox 13 News)
Seasonal
Dinosaur World gets a touch of razzle-dazzle during the holidays, when its prehistoric exhibits get wrapped with twinkle lights + tinsel. See it for yourself during Christmas at Dinosaur World, open daily with park admission through Sunday, Jan. 4. (WFTS)
Eat
Round out your festive feasts with tamales from Sweet Cup Cafe, available for pickup on Tuesday, Dec. 23 + Wednesday, Dec. 24. For something sweeter, pre-order cookies, cakes, and coquito mix from Bandidas by Monday, Dec. 22.
Lakeland Regional Health’s Urgent Care is fast, seamless, and designed around your schedule. At any of their five convenient locations, you can make an appointment, let them know you are on your way, or just walk in. When you need care quickly, you can Find Care Now.*
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? We’re talking deals on everything from travel to tires.*
A 2026 planner to keep track of your events, to-dos, goals, and more. We love this best-selling weekly option that includes 12 months of monthly and weekly pages for easy planning + scheduling. Or, opt for this flower-adorned daily planner with monthly tabs, metal cover protectors, and a page for expense tracking.
Pizza Odyssey has a seasonal special that even the Grinch would love. The Wreath is loaded with mozzarella, pepperoni, and pesto — and it’s shaped exactly how you’re imagining.
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