Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Lakeland. From family fun to holiday performances and festive parties, winter is where Swan City thrives.
Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 50+ winter events happening between December and February.
Festivals, celebrations + community events
A Magical Snowy Wonderland | Thursday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Watch the snowflakes swirl around Lakeside Village’s iconic tree at the top of each hour on select nights through December.
First Friday: Holiday Spectacular | Friday, Dec. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | This month’s event will feature performances by local students near Munn Park and photos with Santa at Crews Bank.
The Lakeland Christmas Parade | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 7-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | See floats decorated with this year’s “Christmas in Candy Land” theme pass through downtown Lakeland.
Light Up BSP | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the season with free nightly holiday-themed events, including live music concerts, visits with Santa, seasonal food + drinks, family-friendly activities, and more.
Florida Hmong New Year | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Tigertown Complex, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $0-$25 | Celebrate with a community lunch and activities, followed by a ticketed event at the RP Funding Center.
New Year’s Eve Grand Buffet and Afterparty | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m.-12 a.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland, 329 E. Main St., Lakeland | $129-$189 | Make a reservation to ring in the new year with a buffet dinner — book the 9 p.m. seating to enjoy a countdown to midnight party.
Lakeland New Year’s Eve Party | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$300 | Ring in 2024 with a DJ, food, cocktails, and a countdown to a champagne toast — VIP tickets are also available.
New Year Champagne Party | Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times to be announced | Lakeland Loft, 108 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Dress to impress when you party with DJ Truth at this lounge overlooking downtown Lakeland.
Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow and Native American Festival | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | International Market World Flea and Farmers Market, 1052 US Hwy. 92 W., Auburndale | $3-$15 | This two-weekend event will feature crafts, intertribal dance competitions, historic displays, and 60+ exhibitors.
Central Florida Comic Con | Saturday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $25-$85 | Release your inner fan at this celebration of all things nerdy, including cosplay, celebrity guests, and contests.
Holiday markets
Just Between Friends Holiday Sale | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $0-$10 | Shop for children’s clothing and gear, or resell your own items at this consignment market.
Bandit Market | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Historic Ritz Theatre, 263 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven | Free entry | Grab a cocktail or coffee and shop from 40+ local vendors.
Holiday Night Market | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 5-10 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from 150+ creative makers curated by Downtown Lakeland, Buena Market, Lakeland Punk Flea, and Art Crawl.
Jingle Mingle Christmas Market | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free entry | Check off your shopping list at this pop-up with 80+ vendors.
Bizfest: Where Dreams Take Flight | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 12-5 p.m. | Belle La Vie Salon & Spa, 4525 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 16, Lakeland | Free entry | Vendors will sell goods, a DJ will spin tunes, and Santa will take photos with kids and pets at this small business expo.
Christmas Market at Lugo’s | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 5-11 p.m. | Lugo’s Craft Distillery, 2500 Drane Field Rd., Ste. 208, Lakeland | $20 | Tickets to this event include a themed cocktail, food, and access to local vendor booths.
Lakeland Record Fair, Volume III | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop for vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes while a DJ plays.
Merry music
Smokepoint Christmas Spectacular: A Toys for Tots Benefit Concert | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Donate to Toys for Tots, then enjoy music by Smokepoint and food from One Stop Food Truck.
Southeastern University School of Music’s Christmas Concerts | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | Bush Chapel at Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | $5-$10 | The SEU orchestra, choir, jazz ensemble, and contemporary band will perform holiday music.
Toast to the Holidays | Saturday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Polk Theatre, 139 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $26-$49 | The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra will perform holiday classics and a Christmas carol sing-along.
The Christmas Gala: Holiday Celebration | Saturday, Dec. 9 | Times vary | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Student + faculty members of FSC’s orchestra, symphony, jazz bands, and choirs will play your favorite holiday music.
Classic Albums Live: Lithium Experience | Friday, Dec. 15 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $44-$52 | Hear the music of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and other bands performed exactly how they sound on their best-selling albums.
Key West Christmas ft. John Frinzi, Roger Bartlett & Friends | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | John Frinzi, Roger Bartlett, and surprise guests will perform tropical holiday music — bring a lawn chair, seats fill up quickly.
Swan City Jazz Jamz | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 5 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Enjoy live jazz at this donation-based musical event — a recommended donation is $10.
2024 Swan City Jazz Festival | Saturday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 21 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Jazz musicians will come from near and far to perform at this free music festival.
“Madama Butterfly” | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $25-$75 | The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra invites you to a night at the opera.
6th Annual Concert for the Kids | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $25-$35 | Country stars Chris Janson, Maddie & Tae, Brian Kelley, and Connor Smith will take the stage to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Seasonal stage shows
Harrison School for the Arts Winter Dance Concerts | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | Harrison School for the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $9-$12 | Students will take the stage for dance performances inspired by the season.
“The Nutcracker” | Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Rochelle School for the Arts, 1501 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $8-$25 | Florida Dance Theatre will present this ballet featuring students from Crystal Lake Elementary and Rochelle School for the Arts.
Harry Connick Jr.'s “The Happy Elf” | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Young actors will perform this musical comedy about an elf’s quest to put a town on the nice list.
Game On! Lakeland | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 8 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Swan City Improv will host a Christmas edition of this live game show where audience members compete for cash prizes.
“Dirty Dancing In Concert” | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $45-$95 | Have the time of your life as live musicians perform songs set to clips from the movie.
“The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 16 | Times vary | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $8-$25 | Florida Dance Theatre will present this ballet featuring students from Crystal Lake Elementary and Rochelle School for the Arts.
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine Presents “Cinderella” | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $53-$97 | A troupe of 50 dancers will perform this fairytale through ballet.
“The Fantasticks” | Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $22-$28 | Local actors will perform the longest-running musical in the world.
“Big: The Musical” | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $22-$28 | If you’re a fan of the Tom Hanks movie, don’t miss the theatrical version.
“Urinetown the Musical” | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Buckner Theatre at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Urine for a treat with this musical comedy performed by FSC students.
Fa-la-la-la-family
Selfies with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hollis Garden, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | Free | Bring your camera to take a photo with Santa Claus in Lakeland’s picturesque public garden.
Gingerbread House Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $100 | Register your family or friends to decorate a gingerbread house under the direction of a pastry chef.
Festive Flix | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror Amphitheater, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Bring a chair or blanket to watch “The Polar Express” lakeside — snacks will be available for purchase.
Snowfest | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 5-9 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free | Stroll through the snow and visit Santa’s workshop — bring a canned good donation.
Pictures with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Bring your Christmas wishlist to give to the big man himself.
DCTE’s Merry Magical Holiday Ball for Charity 2023 | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 12:30-3 p.m. | Eleanor Searle Drawing Room at Florida Southern College, 1049 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland | $25-$60 | Meet favorite fairytale characters and enjoy magical entertainment.
Santa’s Calling | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Sign up to receive a call from Santa to your kids — time slots are limited.
Snapology Winter Workshop | Monday, Dec. 18-Friday, Dec. 22 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | XP League Lakeland, 3201 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $36-$300 | Sign up for an individual day or a full week of robotics fun for little ones.
Festive food + drink
LKLD SantaCon 2023 | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 5 p.m.-12 a.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | $22.50 | Wear your most festive outfit for this annual pub crawl through downtown Lakeland.
Terrace Grille’s Holiday Dinner with the Dickens Carolers | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland, 329 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Make a reservation to enjoy dinner surrounded by live carolers.
Terrace Grille’s Christmas Brunch with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland, 329 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Make a reservation to enjoy brunch and meet with Santa Claus.
Beers with Santa! | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Santa’s sleigh will stop at the brewery for a festive night of cheer.
Tasty Tuesday + Tunes in Munn Park | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 4:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $25 | Try small plates from downtown restaurants while Evan Taylor Jones plays live music in the park.
An avalanche of active events
Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Jog 5K & Reindeer Dash Kids’ Fun Run | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 7:30-9 a.m. | Cleveland Heights Golf Course, 2900 Buckingham Ave., Lakeland | $35 | Wear your most festive fitness gear for a run to benefit the city’s Three Parks Trail Perpetual Fund.
2023 LKLD Color Run 5K | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 8-10 a.m. | Holloway Park, 2402 Holloway Park Dr., Lakeland | $40 | SOMOS Church is hosting this powder paint race to benefit Oscar J. Pope Elementary School.
20th Annual Rotary Twilight 5K | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $20-$35 | Take a scenic run around Lake Hollingsworth to benefit Common Ground Playground.
2024 Polk Senior Games | Saturday, Feb. 24-Saturday, March 9 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Locations vary | $10-$35 | Adults aged 50+ can compete in sports and activities around Polk County — registration opens Jan. 1-Feb. 9.
