It is hard to find a good listing of ALL the wonderful local holiday events for Lakeland, FL, in one place. It has actually taken a good bit of research and even some phone calls to compile this list of what I consider “must-do” holiday events coming up in Lakeland or nearby. I WISH I could do all of them, but I will have to CHOOSE wisely ! Oh, decisions… decisions…
PLEASE ADD your favorites as well in the comments so others can be aware. That’s how I found out about two of these the last time I did this. Click on the blue links for more information and pictures. I’d add pictures, but then it’d be too long. This way you can copy, paste, print, and hang it on the fridge !
I hope your holidays are filled with joy and special moments with your family … and maybe even with our local treasures.
Featured Events with Music Connections & InTune Studios
Winter Wonderland Kindermusik Playdate – Sat., Dec. 3rd, 9 OR 10 am
at the Bay Street Bistro, where we will enjoy a Wonderful Waffle Bar Breakfast
“As cold winds blow and bring us snow…” Our musical adventures include snowy fun: snowflakes fall, snow balls abound, snowmen are created and come to life, jingle bells ring, and the room turns into an ice skating rink.
Check out the music on the Winter Wonderland Album. As soon as you register, you’ll recieve a code to download the music right away, and a Kindermusik jingle bell awaits your attendance. Then after class, you can head to the downtown Snowfest.
A Whoville Christmas – Sun., Dec. 11, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Dixieland Village is being transformed into Whoville, full of Whopeople, Whoscenes, Whostuff, and delightful Whoville Christmas entertainment. Our Art’Sing students are eager to share their set designs, costumes, and performance of “A Whoville Christmas”. Other holiday musical gems will be performed by the InTune Studios students. You can also catch the “Whoville” performance (without the set) at the downtown Holiday Walkabout on Nov. 29th.
Treasured Annual Lakeland Events
Public Ice Skating Nov. 18 – Dec. 19 (see times) – The Lakeland Center
Get in the winter mood with some chilly fun. Good Luck, and Be Careful !
Holiday Walk-a-bout – Nov. 29 , 6 – 9 pm – Downtown Lakeland
Downtown Lakeland celebrates the holidays with shopping, dining, music, horse-drawn wagon rides and more! Holiday music from many area schools and churches create a festive atmosphere. Visit Santa at Tougie Baby on South Kentucky Avenue. PLEASE COME SEE Our Young Voices students from InTune Studios performing “Whoville Christmas”.
Christmas Parade – Thursday, Dec. 1st – 7 pm – Downtown Lakeland
Get your seat early as the parade consisting of about 100 floats will set off from the Lakeland Center and wind through Downtown. Roads will begin closing at 5:30. Fireworks over Lake Mirror at 7:00 to start the parade.
Cookies & Carols at First Friday, Dec. 2, 6 – 9 pm – Downtown Lakeland
Downtown continues the holiday festivities with holiday music and entertainment, visits with Santa and so much more.
Lights of Lakeland – Dec 2 – 4 & 9 – 11 – 6:30 – 9 pm – Highland Park Church
Lakeland’s largest lighted Christmas event boasts of 9 Scenes, including a walk through Bethlehem with live animals, and even SNOW in Florida !
Snowfest – Saturday, Dec. 3 10:00 am – 2 pm. – Lake Mirror Promenade
A Holiday Event for the Entire Family featuring Snow Mountain, a rock climbing wall, photos with Santa, live entertainment and more! The festival is open to all. The cost for admittance onto Snow Mountain for a few minutes play is a can of tuna for the food bank (or $1), and other activities may include a ticket price. This is totally lacking online info, but I called to make sure !
Colonial Christmas – Sat., Dec. 3, 6 pm – Kingscliff – Lake Hollingsworth
Geneva Classical Academy Event: Experience the Holiday Celebrations of America’s Founding Fathers at a Lake Hollingsworth mansion. 90 minutes of interactive 18th century dancing, tavern fare, theatre and games. Phone: (863) 644-1408
Santa’s Calling – Tuesday, Dec. 6 5:30 pm
Arrange for your child to receive a special telephone call from Santa!! Print Santa’s Calling Form, then return the completed form to a city Parks & Rec. location (mail, fax, or deliver) by Dec. 5. The questions are interesting.
Sounds of the Seasons – Dec. 9 – 11 (check times)
Lakeland Community Theatre at the Lake Mirror Complex: A musical family event to celebrate the Holiday Season featuring 12-piece pit orchestra, as well as talented singers and dancers. Call: 863-603-7529
Treasured Nearby Weekend Events
Cannonball Christmas Express – Sat & Sun in Nov & Dec – Tavares, FL
Get into the holiday spirit on board the Orange Blossom Cannonball Christmas Express for a magical trip to the North Pole. Take a real train ride in vintage coaches pulled by our 1907 steam locomotive as we travel to our destination singing Christmas songs and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. Santa will board the train at the North Pole to visit with kids of all ages and present each child with a gift.
Tea with Mrs. Santa – Saturdays throughout Dec. – Auburndale, FL
Make arrangements with friends to enjoy a Christmas Tea Party in Auburndale. Mrs. Clause is there to read stories and take pictures with your little ones. Upstairs there is a place for decorating Gingerbread houses (graham crackers). Limited seating means no overcrowding. Magnolia Tea Room. CALL for reservations: (863) 965-1684
Christmas Notes – Sat, Dec. 17, 5 – 8 pm. – Homeland Heritage Park, FL
Polk County Parks & Recreation invites you to the annual Christmas Notes. Join us for a Frontier Christmas and explore the historic Homeland Heritage Park. Activities include cookie decorating, photos with Santa, a caroling hayride, live music and entertainment, inflatable bounce houses, refreshments, and food vendors. Most activities will be free to the public. Phone: (863) 534-3766. At the website, look for contest coloring page & festival info. to download in pdf format.
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens – ongoing – Lake Wales, FL
Coordinate your Guided Winter Walk with one of the Holiday Film Series for children, and the Seasonal Carillon Music concerts. Make it on Sat, Dec. 17, 1 – 4 pm, and get the chance to “decorate a tree with naturally tasty garlands and gifts for our feathered friends.”, and hear the George Jenkins HS Golden Harmony Show Choir.