Find a complete listing November and December events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Image By Scott Rutz
Fall Piano Concert
Date: Tuesday, November 18
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
- This concert will be a combination of piano solo and ensemble repertoire representative of the student’s progress during the first semester.
Lunch & Learn Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, November 18
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.
- The upcoming lecture will be “Florida’s Holiday Foods” presented by Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon and Katie Farmand, the authors of “Field to Feast: Recipes Celebrating Florida Farmers, Chefs and Artisans.”
Guided Bird Hike
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Learn about the birds of Circle B Bar Reserve on this guided nature hike.
Snakes in Polk County
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Venue: Polk State College, Winter Haven
- Learn about snake species, how to make your yard less attractive to snakes, and what to do in a snake emergency with the University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County’s informative class.
Heritage Trail and Tram Tour
Date: Thursday, November 20
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join one of the “heritage” volunteers on a tram tour with a short walk to the Cow Camp while learning about the history of ranching and the citrus industry of Florida as you enjoy the scenic walk and explore the exhibit area.
Dulcimer Night
Date: Friday, November 21
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven
- The Musical Hammers group performs each third Friday from September – May in Winter Haven’s Central Park.
Music on the Promenade
Date: Friday, November 21
Venue: Lake Mirror Promenade, Lakeland
- The event is free to the public, and families are encouraged to attend so bring a blanket and enjoy the lake setting with music under the stars. Music on the Promenade is proudly sponsored by the City of Lakeland.
- Jill’s Cashbox and local country artist John Rhey will be the featured performers.
Public Ice Skating
Date: Friday, November 21-Sunday, November 30
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Cool off this season as public ice skating returns to The Lakeland Center’s Jenkins Arena.
Festival of Wreaths
Date: Friday, November 21-Saturday, December 13
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The Polk County History Center is proud to host the annual Festival of Wreaths.
- Decorated wreaths will be displayed from November 21 through December 13, and will be auctioned via silent auction.
Impurrial Polk County Internet Cat Video Film Festival
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Downtown Bartow
- This family event that will feature an outdoor showing of favorite internet cat videos as well as feline face painting, mewsic, photo booth pictures, a cat costume contest (for humans only), cat adoptions and a “people’s choice” award for the crowd’s most favorite cat photo.
Lake Wales Car Show
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Lakeland
- Admire the antique, custom and classic cars of yesteryear while enjoying music, enchanting shops, and the unique restaurants of charming downtown Lake Wales.
OUT OF THE BOX Improv
Date: Saturday, November 22
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.
STEAM Saturdays
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Mulberry Phosphate Museum
- The Mulberry Phosphate Museum will host S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays on the fourth Saturday of each month and will feature activities and experiments that combine science, technology, engineering, and math with your creative side.
Vets and Pets 5K
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland
- “Vets and Pets 5K” is a run/walk to benefit the Cornerstone SALUTES! Veterans program and the Pet Peace of Mind program of Cornerstone Hospice.
Tram Nature Tour
Date: Saturday, November 22 & Sunday, November 23
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.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Date: Sunday, November 23
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2014 holiday season with its newest holiday stage spectacular.
- It’s a cirque show, Broadway musical, holiday spectacular and family show all in one.
Florida Trails Hike
Date: Sunday, November 23
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- This is moderately paced walk with lots of opportunity to observe wildlife and see the new exhibit on the Florida Citrus industry along the Lost Bridge Trail.
- This will be a two-part walk: the first half will be 2.5 miles (approximately), and then those wishing to leave may do so; the second half will be another 2.0 miles (approximately).
Historic Lake Mirror Tours
Date: Tuesday, November 25
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- Learn about the history of Downtown Lakeland on this free monthly walking tour.
RECURRING EVENTS:
It’s a Wonderful Life- A Live Radio Play – Through November 23 (Lake Wales Little Theatre)
Public Ice Skating – Through November 30 (The Lakeland Center)
Festival of Wreaths – Through December 31 (Polk County History Center, Bartow)
Special Events at the Grove House – Wednesdays and Saturdays through May 2015 (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
Davenport Farmers Market at Polk Outpost 27 – 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)