Find a complete listing November and December events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
1930s HoliDAYS
Date: Tuesday, December 2
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- It’s automotive yesteryear with Model A’s on display at Pinewood Estate.
- Meet historical characters, and immerse yourself in a bygone era of Christmas past at this event presented by the Florida Flywheelers.
Book Club
Date: Tuesday, December 2
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The book club meets on the first and second Tuesdays of each month at the Polk County History Center in Bartow.
-The December 2 featured book is “Guns of the Palmetto Plains” by Rick Tonyan.
Holiday Walkabout
Date: Tuesday, December 2
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- Kicking off the holiday festivities in Lakeland, this annual event in Downtown Lakeland celebrates with shopping, dining, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa and more.
Guided Bird Hike
Date: Wednesday, December 3
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
-Join our volunteer guide on a hike through the Marsh to learn about the birds of Circle B Bar Reserve.
Words and Wine Poetry Series
Date: Wednesday, December 3
Venue: Paint Along Studios, Lakeland
- Join Paint Along Studios for Words and Wine Poetry group where you can read original poetry, listen to the poetry of others and network with other writers and poets.
First Friday
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- Join Downtown Lakeland for an evening of free family-friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and the opportunity to check out a great, locally-owned restaurant or retail establishment on the first Friday monthly.
Formal Fridays
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Take holiday photos in your formal attire! Enjoy roaming carolers as you enter the Holiday Home Tour, and greet our Pinewood Angels dressed in their holiday best.
Make It Magical
Date: December 5
Venue: Lake Wales
- Make It Magical will return to downtown Lake Wales with carriage rides, Santa Claus, shopping and fun for the whole family.
- There will be performers singing and playing holiday music, Santa will make a guest appearance, and there will be vendors throughout the marketplace.
Pickin’ in the Park
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven
- Join in a fun time of music in Central Park at this free community sing-along with music by local musicians held on the first Friday monthly.
La Petit Fancy Flea Vintage VIP Marketplace
Date: Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 6
Venue: The Sorosis Building on Lake Morton, Lakeland
- The Fancy Flea is an upscale flea market featuring shabby chic decor, antiques, vintage clothing & jewelry, industrial chic, repurposed finds, original art, cottage glam, garden art and homemade sweets.
- The VIP shopping experience includes holiday beverages, sweets, desserts, prize drawings and re-entry on Saturday.
Orange Blossom Revue
Date: Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 6
Venue: Lake Wales
- The event is open to the public and will offer professional and backyard barbecue competitions, Cigar City Brewing craft beer, live local and national entertainment with special guest John Carter Cash (the son of Johnny and June Carter Cash), and marketplace.
BeFly Bike Tours Christmas Lights Tour
Date: Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 27, Fridays and Saturdays
Venue: Begins at Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
- Light lovers can enjoy a magical experience to “ooh” and “ahh” over gorgeous holiday displays on this Christmas bike tour.
- The tour begins at Polk Museum of Art and will make a stop at Got Candy for a cup of hot chocolate.
Artisan’s Alley
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- Every first Saturday of the Month, artists can exhibit fine art such as paintings, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and more.
Cemetery Tour
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow & Historic Oak Hill Cemetery, Bartow
- Join the Polk County History Center on a walking tour of the Historic Oak Hill Cemetery in Bartow where many pioneer families are laid to rest including Civil War veterans Jacob Summerlin and General Evander M. Law.
Christmas at the Ramon
Date: December 6
Venue: Ramon Theater, Frostproof
- Enjoy the spirit of Christmas with excerpts from the “The Nutcracker”, as well as a variety of classical and contemporary dance works reflecting the joy of the season.
- The performance will feature the professional company of the Florida Dance Theatre and its trainees, along with members of its Youth Ensemble.
Coffee with a Ranger
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales
- Join a park ranger at the concession building that overlooks the beautiful marina for a fresh cup of free coffee the first Saturday of each month.
Glitter, Glisten & Snow
Date: December 6
Venue: Lake Eva Park, Haines City
- This holiday event held at Lake Eva Park in Haines City will feature a lighted parade, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, snow area and holiday entertainment from local schools and groups.
Holiday Home Workshop
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Create a beautiful wreath with a mix of floral and fun decorations for your front door at this Holiday Home Workshop.
Holly Jolly Saturdays
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Break out those festive holiday sweaters, hats and accessories to wear to the Gardens on select Saturdays.
- Visitors are encouraged to take photos in Bok Tower Gardens’ life-size Holiday Photo Frame outside of Pinewood Estate.
Lake Region Audubon Hike
Date: December 6
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Lake Region Audubon Society offers periodic bird hikes at Circle B Bar Reserve led by the Bird Club.
Snowfest
Date: December 6
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- Each year, the City’s “Santa elves” transform 76,000 pounds of block ice into the popular attraction in addition, to arts & crafts booths, children’s activities, entertainment, Santa Claus and much more.
Sunset & Symphony Holiday Concert
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Enjoy the sounds of the season with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Singing Tower carillon as they perform together during one of Central Florida’s favorite outdoor concerts.
Christmas Bricktacular
Date: Saturday, December 6 – Sunday, December, 28, Saturdays and Sundays
Venue: LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven
- Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Florida brings in the holiday season with a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree made of 270,000 LEGO bricks, festive decorations, LEGO build activity stations, a LEGO Santa Scavenger Hunt and holiday entertainment.
Tram Nature Tour
Date: Sunday, December 7
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.
First Presbyterian Church Performing Arts Series
The Glory of Christmas
Date: Monday, December 8
Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland
- The sanctuary will swell with the magnificent music of the Christmas season when the choirs of First Presbyterian Church join with guest artists to present The Glory of Christmas.
- Guest artists will include the incomparable Brian Blume (marimba), Dolly Roberts (harp), and the Clarion Brass. Come early to find a great seat for this favorite presentation of glorious holiday music.
Book Club
Date: Tuesday, December 9
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The book club meets on the first and second Tuesdays of each month at the Polk County History Center in Bartow.
-The December 2 featured book is “Guns of the Palmetto Plains” by Rick Tonyan.
Heritage Trail Hike and Tram Tour
Date: Tuesday, December 9
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join a “heritage” volunteer on a tram tour with a short walk to the Cow Camp where you’ll learn about the history of ranching and the citrus industry of Florida as you enjoy the scenic walk and explore the exhibit area.
- The tram ride ends with a tour of the Banana Creek Marsh.
ISO Masterworks Series- Sounds of the Season
Date: December 9
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Celebrate the season with 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.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Future Retro: Drawings from the Great Age of the American Automobile – Through December 6 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
A Country Christmas Hayride – Fridays and Saturdays through December 27 (The Smith Family Ranch, Lakeland)
Festival of Wreaths – Through December 31 (Polk County History Center, Bartow)
Holiday Home Tour – Through January 4 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Poinsettia Displays and Holiday Carillon Music – Through January 4 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Winter Walking Tours – Through January 4 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Special Events at the Grove House – Wednesdays and Saturdays through May 2015 (Florida’s Natural Growers Grove House, Lake Wales)
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)
For this week’s sporting events, check out “What’s Happening in Central Florida Sports” on CatchCentralFlorida.com.