Find a complete listing of October and November events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Lunch & Learn Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, October 21
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The museum invites guests to bring lunch and listen to a guest speaker on the third Tuesday every month.
- October’s speaker will be Charlie Carson on Weird Florida.
Living at the Lake
Date: Thursday, October 23
Venue: Winter Haven
- Living at the Lakes is a three-class, free program, offered to all Polk County residents to share information on common lake questions.
Orchestra Concert
Date: Thursday, October 23
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
- Harrison School for the Arts’ Fall Jazz Orchestra Concert will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Harrison Theatre.
Central Florida NatureFest 2014
Date: Thursday, October 23 – Sunday, October 26
Venue: Locations throughout Polk County
- This event offers something for everyone with activities including birding, hiking, kayaking, butterfly and wildflower viewing, nature photography, star gazing and air boat tours.
Breaking Ground: Stewarding the Future
Date: Friday, October 24
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Join the Bok Tower Gardens Board of Directors and special guests for a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of our new garden spaces.
- Afterward, visit the future sites of our children’s garden, wild garden and outdoor kitchen.
Joggin’ for the Noggin! 5k
Date: Friday, October 24
Venue: Polk State College, Lakeland
- The run will feature zombies on the trail to put pep in steps.
- This is a family-friendly race and will include spooky and fun activities for all ages.
Shine a Light 5K
Date: Friday, October 24
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland
- The Florida Baptist Children’s Home’s Shine a Light 5K will begin at First Presbyterian Church, and the evening run will bring light to the darkness that surrounds sex trafficking.
C.U.R.E. Cancer Unity Ribbon Event 2014
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Winter Haven
- On October 25th, Polk County will attempt to break the Guinness World Book of Records by organizing the largest human awareness ribbon ever in the world by bringing global awareness to all kinds of Cancer.
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show
Date: Sunday, October 25
Venue: Lake Silver, Winter Haven
- The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (reestablished in 2012 by former theme park employees) is back with performances on Lake Silver every third Saturday of the month.
Lake Wales Car Show
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Downtown Lake Wales
- Admire the antique, custom and classic cars of yesteryear while enjoying music, enchanting shops, and the unique restaurants of charming downtown Lake Wales.
Munn Park Garden Extravaganza
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- Enjoy a free family day of activities while exploring the many plants and flowers for sale at the 30th Annual Munn Park Garden Extravaganza that will feature over 50 vendors with a large variety of plants and flowers for yards and patios, as well as beautiful and unusual garden art.
OUT OF THE BOX Improv
Date: Sunday, October 25
Venue: Bean and Grape Café, Winter Haven
- OUT OF THE BOX is a fun and exciting improvisational comedy troupe based in Winter Haven with performances on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
Pints for Paws Lakeland Beer Fest
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- This will be a pet-friendly beer festival and mini food truck rally benefiting The Humane Society of Polk County.
Polk Outpost 27 Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Polk Outpost 27, Davenport
- This free, family-friendly event will include a pumpkin carving and painting contest, candy, games, prize giveaways, a pumpkin patch, a bounce house for kids, a magic show and free.
- The Bloodmobile will be onsite for donors, and booths by LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, Bok Tower Gardens, Davidson of Dundee and more are expected.
- Attendees will receive one free LEGOLAND® Florida Resort or Bok Tower Gardens ticket for each one (of the same) purchased at Polk Outpost 27 on the day of the event.
Ring of Honor Wrestling
Date: Sunday, October 25
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- The 2014 Florida 10 Series will kick off in Lakeland on Sunday, October 19.
- Ring of Honor wrestling is synonymous with the best-in-ring action in the sport and is known for its athleticism and hard hitting style.
- ROH is a new style developed by fresh, young stars that incorporates wrestling, mixed martial arts and high-flying.
Shine a Light Family Festival
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland
- There will be free food, a pumpkin patch area for family photos, a bounce house and live music at this fall festival presented by Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.
Shine a Light Gala
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Florida Southern College, Lakeland
- The finale event will take place at Florida Southern College’s Branscomb auditorium and will include a performance by internationally-known recording artist Jason Castro, a former American Idol contestant.
- It will be an evening of hope as Florida Baptist Children’s Homes shines a light on the issue of sex trafficking and how the Lakeland community can join together to take a stand for innocent victims.
STEAM Saturdays
Date: Saturday, October 25
Venue: Mulberry Phosphate Museum
- The Mulberry Phosphate Museum will host S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays on the fourth Saturday of each month which will feature activities and experiments that combine science, technology, engineering, and math with your creative side.
Pioneer Days Festival
Date: Saturday, October 25- Sunday, October 26
Venue: Shores of Lake Wailes Lake, Lake Wales
- Pioneer Days Festival activities include crafters, demonstrators, re-enactors, an antique car parade, a free architectural carriage tour, children’s activities, entertainment and more.
Denis L. Fontaine Children’s Classic Golf Tournament
Date: Monday, October 27
Venue: Lone Palm Golf Club, Lakeland
- This is the 21st Annual Denis L. Fontaine Children’s Classic Golf Tournament to benefit Explorations V Children’s Museum.
Historic Lake Mirror Tours
Date: Tuesday, October 28
Venue: Downtown, Lakeland
- Reserve your spot with the Lake Mirror rental office for this monthly walking tour to learn more about Lakeland’s past.
RECURRING EVENTS:
LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Brick-or-Treat – Weekends through October 26 (LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Winter Haven)
Hispanic Heritage Month at Polk State College – Through October 30 (Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center)
Passport to Exotic Adventure – Through October 30 (Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center)
Jessica Guevara at The Loft Art Gallery – Through October 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
Special Events at the Grove House – Wednesdays and Saturday through November 29 (Florida’s Natural Growers Grove House, Lake Wales)
Future Retro: Drawings from the Great Age of the American Automobile – Through December 6 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly
Polk Outpost 27 Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly
1st and 3rd Saturday Market in South Lakeland – First and third Saturdays monthly
Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays monthly
3rd Saturday Market Bartow – Third Saturday monthly
Highland City Community Market – Third Saturday monthly
Mulberry Farmers Market – Third Saturday monthly
4th Saturday Market Winter Haven – Fourth 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)