Find a complete listing of December and January events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Masterworks Series
Date: Tuesday, December 10
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- The Imperial Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra is comprised of 80 volunteer musicians, who have made it their mission to entertain, educate and inspire audiences through enlightening performances of symphonic music.
- The Masterworks 2 theme is Winter Wonderland.
Granny’s Corner Nature Reading
Date: Wednesday, December 11
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join Ms. Charlene at the Polk’s Nature Discovery Center for nature readings which will be followed by a hands-on activity.
Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally
Date: Thursday, December 12
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- Stop by Downtown Lakeland every second Thursday monthly to enjoy a variety of Florida food trucks and their delicious cuisine.
Mistletoe Marketplace
Date: Thursday, December 12 – Saturday, December 14
Venue: Eagle Lake
- Mistletoe Marketplace is an annual holiday festival with food, Santa, hayrides, entertainment, crafts, model train displays, kids’ activities, performances, decorations and holiday lights.
Glitter, Glisten & Snow
Date: Friday, December 13
Venue: Lake Eva Park, Haines City
- This holiday event held at Lake Eva Park in Haines City will feature a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow area, and holiday entertainment from local schools and groups.
- Guests will also find free roasted chestnuts and hot cider as well as food and merchandise vendors.
Stephen Knapp: New Light
Date: Friday, December 13
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
- This exhibition will include 14 “lightpaintings” by Massachusetts artist Stephen Knapp.
- This exhibition will be on display at The Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland Saturday, December 14 through Saturday, March 8, 2014 with a reception taking place Friday, December 13.
Lights of Lakeland
Date: Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15
Venue: Lakeland
- Experience an evening of excitement and wonder filled with your favorite holiday sights, smells and sounds.
- There will be over 500,000 lights on display, as well as The Grinch, Santa’s Workshop, a reindeer barn, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a Bethlehem experience with live camels, sheep, and donkeys.
Christmas Notes
Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: Homeland Heritage Park
- Polk County Parks & Recreation presents this free family Christmas event featuring live music, a caroling hayride, arts & crafts, photos with Santa, and more.
Gold Tones Productions: The Main Ingredient
Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Gold Tones Productions presents: The Main Ingredient featuring: The Reflections, The Mystics, and Michael Russo and the Gold Tones.
Lake Region Audubon Hike
Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join the Lake Region Audubon for a guided bird hike of Circle B Bar Reserve.
Super Scientist Saturday
Date: Saturday, December 14
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Learn about native and invasive plants while giving back to nature at Circle B Bar Reserve.
- Super Scientist Saturday is open to anyone who is interested in the outdoors, giving back to nature and becoming a Super Citizen Scientist.
The Nutcracker
Date: Saturday, December 14 – Sunday, December 15
Venue: The Polk Theatre, Lakeland
- Over 90 young dancers join forces with Florida Dance Theatre’s professionals to make each performance as magical as possible.
- Join them as they travel through the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets for a fun exciting way to start the holiday season.
Moonlight Concert & Holiday Home Tour
Date: Sunday, December 15
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Enjoy a nighttime carillon concert and tour Pinewood Estate complete with hot chocolate and cookies on this one night only at Bok Tower Gardens.
Tram Nature Tour
Date: Sunday, December 15
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Take a personalized tour of the Banana Creek Marsh with a volunteer guide who will point out plants, birds and history of the property at Circle B Bar Reserve.
Celtic Yuletide
Date: Tuesday, December 17
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Celtic Yuletide stars internationally renowned Irish tenor Michael Londra, star of PBS’s Beyond Celtic and the lead singer of Riverdance on Broadway, with special guest artists Sephira, world-class Irish dancers and musicians, and a full orchestra that will sweep audiences away.
Legends of Rock in Concert
Date: Tuesday, December 17 – Wednesday, December 18
Venue: Theatre Winter Haven
- This legendary tribute by the best of area singers features the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Journey, Chicago, The B-52s along with Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patsy Cline and Elvis Presley – together with others and backed by Polk County’s Brass Heart Band, a ten piece band that swings with the heart of rock.
Public Ice Skating
Date: Tuesday, December 17 – Monday, January 6
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- ‘Tis the season to get in the holiday spirit as public ice skating returns to The Lakeland Center.
- Whether a professional or a first-timer, you are sure to have a blast at Lakeland’s indoor ice rink this season.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Festival of Wreaths – Through December 13 (Polk County History Center, Bartow)
Homes Sweet Home Gingerbread Tour & Events – Through December 15 (Women’s Resource Center, Winter Haven)
Christmas Bricktacular – Through December 22 (LEGOLAND® Florida, Winter Haven)
The Miracle Worker – Through December 22 (Theatre Winter Haven)
A Country Christmas Hayride – Fridays & Saturdays through December 28 (The Smith Family Ranch, Lakeland)
BeFly Bike Tours Christmas Lights Tour – Through December 28 (Lakeland)
Gary Gessford Exhibit – Through December 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
Holiday Home Tour – Through January 5 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Poinsettia Display – Through January 5 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Stephen Knapp: New Light – Through March 8 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Bartow Farmers Market – Saturdays weekly
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly
Good Health Fresh Goods & Crafts Market – First, second, third Saturdays monthly
Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays monthly
Highland City Community Market – Third Saturday monthly
Mulberry Farmers Market – Third Saturday monthly
Saturday Night Rodeo – Saturdays weekly (Westgate River Ranch Resort, River Ranch)
Children’s Programming: – Monday through Friday weekly (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
For this week’s sporting events, check out “What’s Happening in Central Florida Sports” on CatchCentralFlorida.com.