Here are some of the best happening in Lakeland this August. Get your iCal ready.
Week of August 1
Wednesday | August 1
Learn: Downtown Update Meeting| 8-9 a.m. | Downtown Lakeland | 117 N. Kentucky Ave | Free | Learn about the happenings + future plans for the downtown Lakeland area.
Talk: Sm(ART) Business Symposium | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts | Free with registration | Take some time to listen about the arts + the business world. This year’s theme is “Connecting the Dots: Infusing Arts into Education to Drive Outcomes.”
Show: Jerry Garcia Tribute | 6:00-9:00 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Enjoy a drink + Russ Brode’s tribute to all things Jerry Garcia with some food from Cuban B’s food truck. 🎤
Drink: Publix Appreciation Night | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Free | Publix employees receive 50 % off pints with proof of ID. 🍻
Thursday | August 2
ForKids: Summer Kids Classes Ages 7-107 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Painting with a Twist | $25 | Take the whole family + enjoy painting Gnarly the Narwhal. 🎨
Drink: Celebrate National IPA Day | 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Brew Hub | $2 per can | Celebrate this holiday with $2 cans of Pale Ales and IPAs all day. 🍻
Friday | August 3
Workshop: Teacher Appreciation Workshop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Scout + Tag | $25, Register | A specially priced workshop class for teachers or friends of teachers to create a custom piece for the classroom. 👩🏫
Community: Coloring Carnival Fridays | 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. | Lakeland Library | Free 🎨
Show: Swan City Improv | 2 shows, 7:30 + 9 p.m. | LkldLive | $10 🐦
#MustDo: First Friday at Brew Hub | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Free | They will be offering BOGO on drinks, providing food trucks, giveaways + live music. 🍻
Shop: Back to School: Sales Tax Holiday | all day | During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including: certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item. 🛍
Saturday | August 4
Cause: Off-Site Dog Adoptions | 11:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Petsmart | Free | SPCA Florida will have adoptable dogs available. Stop by and meet your new best friend. 🐶
Film: Summer Family Classics, Return to Oz | 11:30 a.m. | Polk Theatre | $5 🎭
Drink: Beards, Bands, Beers & Bourbon Fest | 5:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | Mason’s Live | $7-25 | Show up and show off your beard + enter the beard competition to win cash prizes. All are welcome, beared or not. Enjoy live music, drinks, + so much more. 🧔
Dish: Dogfish Head Brewery Aprons Cooking School | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School Lakeland | $50 | If you love beer + food then check out this unique cooking class that shows you the best ways to pair your meals with your drinks. 👨🍳
Show: Rebekah Pulley Duo | 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Enjoy a live music performance + food from Salt & Fire food truck. 🎤
New: Lakeland Grand Opening - Action Gator Tire | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | 4516 Florida Avenue South
Shop: Back to School: Sales Tax Holiday | all day | During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including: certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item. 🛍
Sunday | August 5
Film: Summer Family Classics, Victor, Victoria | 4:30 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $5
Show: Auditions for Rocky Horror 2018 | 2:00 p.m. | Ultimate Dance Center | Free | Try out for the chance to perform the show at Polk Theatre October 26th + 27th. 🎭
Show: Toni Brown Trio | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Enjoy some delicious drinks, live music from Toni Brown Trio + food from the Big Hot Box. 🎤
Show: An Afternoon of French Music with Éclectique | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Lakeland Library | Free 🎶
Shopping: Back to School: Sales Tax Holiday | all day | During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including: certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item.🛍
Week of August 6
Monday | August 6
Community: LKLD Makers Event | 7-8 p.m. | ART/ifact | Free | An opportunity to collab, celebrate, and network with other Lakeland creatives.
Learn: Bullying: 13 Reasons to Initiate a Conversation | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Free | Lakeland Public Library | Peace River Center invites parents + caretakers of middle + high school youth to join us for a FREE workshop that will provide you with skills to help your child confidently and safely manage bullying.
Sports: Lakeland Flying Tigers Baseball Game | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | ticket options | Enjoy $1 hot dogs vs the Fort Myers Miracle. ⚾
Tuesday | August 7
Learn: Florida Farmers Market Crop Up | 8:30 a.m-5 p.m. | Haus 820 | Free | For National Farmers Market week, come network and develop alongside the FAB nutrition incentive program. 🌽
Show: National Night Out Talent Show | 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. | College Heights United Methodist Church | Free | Sign up for a local talent show and you could win a $50 prize. Contact nlsrcs@brighthouse.com or call 863.816.4023 to enter or get more information. 🎤
Wednesday | August 8
TryThis: Notebook Wallet Class | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Boondocks Studio | $95-180 | Choose your leather color, punch holes, and sew up your own notebook wallet. 📔
Volunteer: Big Brothers Big Sisters Orientation + Training | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Women’s Resource Center, 165 Avenue A Northwest, Winter Haven | Free | ❤
Show: Brian Jones Live | 6:00 - 9:00 pm | Swan Brewing | Join Brian Jones for his nighttime performance with food brought to you by Cuban B’s. 😋
Drink: Publix Appreciation Night | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | The Brass Tap | Publix employees enjoy 50% off their pint with valid proof of employment. 🍻
Learn: American Business Women’s Association Meeting | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Hilton Garden Inn | $25-30 | Join us for August 8th’s General Meeting with motivational speaker Gary Coxe speaking on staying conditioned for success. 👩💼
WaterCooler: Lakeland Flying Tigers Baseball Game | 6:30 pm | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | Ticket Options | ⚾
Volunteer: Help Clean Circle B | 8:15 - 10:00 am | Circle B Bar Reserve | FREE | Help remove the invasive species Caesar weed. Bring gloves + water. 🌿
Thursday | August 9
Network: Pack the Bar | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Brass Tap | $15+, Register | Join EMERGE in one of their most popular networking events, for a night of socializing + beer. 🍻
#MustDo: Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally | 6:00 - 9:00 pm | Downtown Lakeland | Pet + kid friendly. Click here to see the full list of food trucks attending. 🚚
Show: Live Music from Keith Meek, Space Panda + Connor Lockhart | 6:30 pm | Hillcrest Coffee | Music starts at 7:00 pm so make sure to show up and donate to local artists. 🎤
Arts: Rock the 80’s | 2:00 - 6:00 pm | Tea Largo | FREE | A free rock painting event with PicassoZ Art Cafe. They encourage you to create a rock for “Lakeland Rocks” and go hide it. Fun for all ages. 👩🎨
Learn: 2018 I-4 Commercial Corridor Conference | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Polytechnical University | $40 | The I-4 Commercial Corridor Conference addresses the latest commercial real estate news and trends associated with the I-4 Corridor, including insights + analysis from top market experts. 🛣
Announced: Issue Release Party - Cultura Hispana | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | La Imperial Bakery | Go support The Lakelander’s new magazine release, highlighting Lakeland’s hispanic culture. 🎉💃
Friday | August 10
Arts: Point of View Gallery Talk | 12-1 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free| Register | Richard Heipp will be discussing his retrospective exhibition over at PMOA, Double Vision: Photocentric Paintings. 🎨
Dish: Food Truck Service | 12:00 - 8:00 pm | The Brass Tap | Enjoy unique italian food with Williamsburgcucina + a drink with the Brass Tap crew.
TryThis: Dog Collar Class | 7:00- 9:00 pm | Boondock Studios | $55-100 | Build a custom dog collar for your best friend. Stamp their name, decorate with dye/stamps, even add leather flowers. 🐶
Announced: David Brimer Album Release Party | 7:30 - 10:30 pm | LkldLive | $5 - $15 | Enjoy a live show from David + his band while celebrating their new album “Florida Nights”. 💿
Active: Fitness Friday - Free Yoga | 9:00 - 10:00 am | Lakeland Square Mall | Lakeland Square Mall has partnered with Satya Life Yoga to provide a Free Yoga class with mats provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own mats + event will be held in the FYE corridor. 🧘♀️
Show: Comedy Night with Frank DelPizzo + Will Hagaman | 9:00 - 11:00 pm | Winner’s Circle Sports Bar | $10 | 😂
Saturday | August 11
Shop: IPOC Yard Sale | 7:00 am - 2:00 pm | Imperial Polk Obedience Club | Join the IPOC in there 2nd Annual dog-themed yard sale 🐶 (no dogs allowed).
Learn: Pet CPR and First Aid Certification class | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Lakeland Police Training Center | Register, $75+ | Join this fundraiser for the LPD + become certified in canine/feline CPR + First Aid 🐱🐶
Shop: Third Annual Summer Sale | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Jesse Carl Vinyl | Head over to this downtown vinyl store to shop some discounts on LPs, CDs, cassette tapes, 45s, and more 🎹
Film: Summer Family Classics, All Dogs go to Heaven | 11:30 am | Polk Theatre | $5 🎥
Film: Three Identical Strangers | 4 pm + 9:30 pm | Polk Theatre | $8 🎬
TryThis: Saved By The Ball 90s Party & Charity Event | 7:00 pm - 2:00 am | Mason’s Live | Ticket Options | The Biggest 90’s Ball & Prom Party to ever to hit Lakeland “SAVED BY THE BALL”, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Local Cancer Organization “Breast Cancer Foundation Of Central Florida” + a beautiful Mason’s Live employee currently fighting Breast Cancer.
Sunday | August 12
Dish: Drag Queen Brunch | 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Mason’s Live | $12-30 | World Class Entertainment starting at 1:00 p.m. with your host Kathryn Nevets and guests. Followed by DJs + Local Musicians. 🥂
Arts: Auditions for WLPs Halloween show: Thrillinger’s Haunted Museum | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Ultimate Dance Center | Auditions for dancers, singers + actors. Featuring choreography from: Michelle Vaughn, Stefan Dolbashian, Tiffany Conliffe, Molly Ahler + Jessica Kim Ruiz. More to be announced in the coming days. 🎭
Job: PCWWB Meet & Greet | 4:00 - 6:00 pm | Hallback’s Bar & Grill | FREE | If you have a business or looking to start a business we are looking to connect with you as we are getting ready for the Second Annual Polk County Who’s Who Business Expo and Awards Gala Feb 2019.
Show: Coastal Acoustic Barefoot Music | 2:00 - 5:00 pm | Swan Brewing | Enjoy some jams with food provided by Sawadee Thai. 🎸
Film: Final Showing of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? | Polk Theatre | check calendar for times + prices | 📽
Active: Beginning Hatha | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Yoga Pointe | $5 | Learn the basics of Hatha Yoga with experienced instructor Emily Rodriguez. 🧘♀️
Week of August 13
Monday | August 13
#MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Sports: Lakeland Flying Tigers Baseball Game | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | Ticket Options | $1 hot dog night ⚾
Tuesday | August 14
Learn: Lunch + Learn: Fall Vegetable Gardening | 12-1 p.m. | My Lakeland Electric | Free| Register | If you’re interested in learning how to grow vegetables in our community.
Show: Open Mic Night | 6:00 - 9:00 pm | Swan Brewing | 🎤
#MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
News: 2018 Lakeland Chamber Political Hob Nob | 5:30 - 9:00 pm | Rocking H Ranch 2200 Ewell Rd | $25-30 | the Political Hob Nob – held every two years during elections, provides an occasion to meet and greet local, state and federal candidates and learn their views on the year’s hot topics. The Lakeland Chamber hopes to increase awareness of and participation in the elections process, including opportunities to hear from candidates and speak with them at their respective booths
TryThis: Lunch & Learn: Fall Vegetable Gardening | 12:00 - 1:00 pm | My Lakeland Electric | FREE | Are you interested in learning how to grow fall vegetables as well as how to harvest, preserve and prepare foods with them? Join us for tips and information for success! Registration is required and limited. Register here. 🌱
Arts: Third Annual Summer Sale | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Jesse Carl Vinyl | Head over to this downtown vinyl store to shop some discounts on LPs, CDs, cassette tapes, 45s, and more 🎹
Wednesday | August 15
Learn: Kitchen Kids | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Explorations V Children’s Museum | General Admission | Bring your kids to this recurring event to learn weekly recipes in the kitchen 🍳
MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Show: Toni Brown Trio w/ Cuban B’s | 6:00 - 9:00 pm | Swan Brewing | Enjoy the jams + food by Cuban B’s Burger Bazaar & Bake Shack 🎸
Talk: Red Tent Wellness Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Catapult | Free | Enjoy this relaxing open mic + poetry read brought to you by Claudia Bloom. 🎶
Drink: Publix Appreciation Night | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | The Brass Tap | Are you a Publix employee? Head over to The Brass Tap to get 50% off all pints 🍻
Film: Full Draw Film Tour 2018 | 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm | The Polk Theatre | Ticket Options, $15 | Find your inner outdoorsman as the Polk Theatre takes you on an outdoor hunting adventure through cinematography 🏹
Thursday | August 16
#MustDo: LALtoday Launch Party | 5:30 - 8:00 pm | Cob & Pen | Free | Come join us at our launch party🎉+ have a beer on us 🍺
Dish: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Network: Business After Hours w/ Lakeland Chamber of Commerce | 5:30 - 7:00 pm | The Club at Eaglebrooke | Register | Networking event with fellow Chamber members.
Show: Jesse Sliger / Quarter Roy / Anisette Mayer | 6:30 pm | Hillcrest Coffee 🎶
Show: Classic Albums Live presents The Beatles White Album | 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $29-39 | Listen to your favorite classics brought to you by this rising cover band. 🎸
Friday | August 17
Active: Creative Yoga with Michelle Pugh | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $10 | Michelle Pugh will guide you through an hour long hatha-based class that will end with a meditation focused on the current exhibition. 🧘♀️
MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Saturday | August 18
Film: Summer Family Classics, Honey I Shrunk the Kids | 11:30 a.m. | Polk Theatre | $5
Sports: Taco ‘Bout Hunger Charity Baseball Event | 5-9 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $12 | Watch the Flying Tigers baseball team play while sampling tacos from local restaurants, all in support of Catholic Charities of Polk County. 📽
Art: Fine Art at the Magnolia | 10:00 am | Magnolia Building (next to Hollis Garden) | FREE | This indoor Fine Art Show will be featuring 17 accomplished Fine Artists & Craftsmen from Florida. Make sure to check it out on August 19th as well.
#MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Sunday | August 19
#MustDo: Lakeland Restaurant Week | Red Door, Nineteen61, Bay St. Bistro, Patio 850, Cob & Pen, Frescos, Scarpa’s Italian | $35 | Lakeland’s 3rd Annual restaurant week celebrates local food done right. 😋
Art: Fine Art at the Magnolia | 10:00 am | Magnolia Building (next to Hollis Garden) | FREE | This indoor Fine Art Show will be featuring 17 accomplished Fine Artists & Craftsmen from Florida. Make sure to check it out on August 19th as well. 🎨
Show: Back to School Brunch featuring Dan Signor | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm | Federal Bar | Take the whole family out to brunch before summer ends + schools starts. 🎤
WaterCooler: Lakeland Flying Tigers Game | 1:00 pm | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | ticket options | ⚾
TryThis: Zigtebra [Chicago] | 7:00 - 11:00 pm | ART/ifact | $8 | Drinks available by donation, as well as Uncle Mince’s World Famous Seitan premade sandwiches. Come hungry and you won’t be disappointed. Zigtebra (Chicago) will grace Lakeland with their dreamy dancey synthy vibey sparkly pop jams.
Week of August 20
Monday | August 20
Learn: Lakeland City Commission Meetings | 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Lakeland City Hall | Free | Join the conversation at City Hall in the City Commission Chambers (3rd Floor) for our regular City Commission meeting, which is open to the public.
Learn: FlipSavage | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Catapult | FREE |
Tuesday | August 21
Learn: Curator Tour | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free | Join Dr. Alex Rich, Curator and Director of Galleries & Exhibitions, for an in-depth guided walk through in the museum galleries, where he will provide art historical and curatorial insight.
Jobs: Lakeland Professional Business Networking Lunch | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Village Inn | Open networking 11:30 am - 12:00 pm. Meeting is from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.
Thursday | August 23
Drink: Ladies Night: $5 You Call It | 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Enjoy $5 You-Call-It Drinks (cocktails, wine, beer) from 9:00-10:00 p.m. 🍷
Job: Central Florida Job Fair | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | Ramada by Wyndham Lakeland, 3260 US Hwy 98 N | FREE | Register here | The job fair is here help you meet some of the top employers in Florida. Check out the list of career opportunities here.
Friday | August 24
#MustDo: Kon Tiki Taco | 7:00 - 11:00 pm | Haus 820 | 21+ | $25+ | Grab some local food and drinks + dance in your best hawaiian shirt to DJ Jenks.
Film: Dive-In Movie Night | 7:00 p.m. | Gandy Pool, 404 Imperial Blvd | $4 per person | Just like the Drive-In but wetter! Pack your picnic basket or lawn chairs + enjoy an evening of movie watching at the Gandy Pool. 👙
Saturday | August 25
Film: Summer Family Classics, Beauty and the Beast | 11:30 am | Polk Theatre | $5 | 📽
MustDo: Lakeland Beer + Bacon Festival | 2 sessions, 1-4 p.m + 5-8 p.m. | RP Funding Center | 21+ | $35+ | Unlimited sampling of 80+ beers and cocktails and an abundance of bacon-filled dishes. 🍺 🥓
Active: Community Fitness Classes | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | YMCA at Cleveland Heights Blvd | FREE | These classes welcome everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience. YMCA membership is not required to participate in the program.
Sunday | August 26
#MustDo: Biscuits, Bloodys and the Blues | 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | 702 E. Orange St | Pay per table | You’ll sample and vote for the best biscuits and bloodys around, plus more delicious brunch food – including Mr. C’s Grilled Cheese, Salt & Fire Food Lab + A cow named MOO.
Week of August 27
Monday | August 27
WaterCooler: Bark in the Park | 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | Ticket Options | Join the Flying Tigers + bring your furry friend out for a night of baseball. Enjoy $1 hot dogs as well. 🐶
Tuesday | August 28
TryThis: Open Mic Night | Swan Brewing | 6:00 -9:00 p.m. | 🎤
Wednesday | August 29
TryThis: Hipster or Hippie Mug Making Class | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Boondock Studios | $45 - 80 | Customize your leather with stamps/dye or even leather flowers, then sew it up into a mason-jar holding coffee/juice/hooch mug. ☕
Thursday | August 30
Show: Jo Smith + More Live | 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. | Hillcrest Coffee | Listen to relaxing live music from Jo Smith + more artists to be announced. 🎤
Friday | August 31
Show: Acoustic Showcase w/ Richard Sherfey, Kristopher James and more | 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. | LkldLive | $5+ | 🎸
WaterCooler: Flying Tigers game | 6:30 pm | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | Ticket Options |
