Find a complete listing December and January events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
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.
1930s HoliDAYS
Date: Tuesday, December 9
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 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: Tuesday, 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.
A Little Christmas Starring Rich Little
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Venue: The Lakeland Center
– A master mimic of more than 200 voices, kick off your holiday with hilarity as RICH LITTLE brings a “little” Christmas comedy to Lakeland.
– Get ready for a night of yuletide fun with Little’s impressions of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Dean Martin and so many others that will have you laughing your stockings off.
Granny’s Nature Reading
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join Ms. Charlene at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center for nature readings followed by a hand-on activity.
Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally
Date: Thursday, December 11
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
– Head to Downtown Lakeland to enjoy a variety of Florida food trucks and their delicious cuisine on the second Thursday of every month.
Holiday Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, December 11
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
– Join your friends for an early evening tour of Pinewood Estate and toast the season with a complimentary drink, light fare and holiday tunes.
Music of the Season
Date: Thursday, December 11-Friday, December 12
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
– These concerts feature the Harrison Chorus and Symphony with preconcert music beginning each evening featuring World Choir, Satin Dolls, piano, string quartet, jazz combo and guitar.
Formal Fridays
Date: Friday, December 12
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.
Main Street Bartow’s Annual Christmas Parade
Date: Friday, December 12
Venue: Mosaic Park, Bartow
– The parade will begin at Mosaic Park just north of the Bartow Civic Center, go north on Broadway Avenue, turn right onto Main Street, and will end at First Avenue.
– Trophies will be awarded for the best floats in five areas: Best Professional, Best Non-professional, Best Greenovative, Best Church, and Best School, as well as trophies for Best Decorated Car and Best Animal entry.
Christmas Notes
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Heritage Park, Kathleen
– Polk County Parks and Recreation present Christmas Notes at Homeland Heritage Park featuring live holiday music, refreshments, children’s gift shop and more.
Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
– The Polk County History Center in Bartow invites families to enjoy a day of arts and crafts on the second Saturday of each month.
Holiday Home Workshop
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
– Visitors can make and take their own winter wonderland décor with the Holiday Traditions Workshop Series.
– Learn how to create handmade Christmas decorations like festive wreaths and charming centerpieces.
Holly Jolly Saturdays
Date: Saturday, December 13
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.
Kathleen Area Historical Society Cane Grinding Festival
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Heritage Park, Kathleen
– Set-a-spell around the syrup kettle, trade yarns and reminisce with friends and neighbors, enjoy hot biscuits and tasty sausage with some syrup on top at this festival.
Lake Wales Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Lake Wales
– Join the city for their annual Christmas parade in downtown Lake Wales.
Mistletoe Marketplace
Date: Saturday, December 13
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.
Tram Nature Tour
Date: Saturday, December 13
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.
Volunteer Workday
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
– Join the Sierra Club for a workday giving back to nature by planting native vegetation at Circle B Bar Reserve.
Winterfest
Date: Saturday, December 13
Venue: Davenport
– Celebrate the season with the City of Davenport and festivities that will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, electric night-time parade, cookie decorating, Festival of Trees, Cruise In with classic cars and vendors.
Gabrielle Wu Lee Exhibition
Date: Saturday, December 13-Saturday, December 14
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
– The late Chinese-American artist Gabrielle Wu Lee described her paintings as works of “dynamic expressionism.”
– This exhibition will be organized in collaboration with Florida State University and Dr. Paul Lee.
Her Ethereal Self: Portraits by Kathy Sosa
Date: Saturday, December 13-Saturday, December 14
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
– Inspired by contemporary folk art and the American Southwest, Kathy Sosa’s artistic style is characterized by prismatic color combinations and an emphasis on graphic patterns.
Nature Fun Day
Date: Sunday, December 14
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
– Join Circle B for Nature Fun Day to celebrate how the landscape has changed.
– Visit the Cow Camp and see demonstrations of how life used to be in Florida.
– Challenge yourself to a game of Circle B Jeopardy or take a nature tram tour.
Ice Skating
Date: Tuesday, December 16-Monday, January 5
Venue: The Lakeland Center
– ‘Tis the season to get in the holiday spirit as public ice skating returns to The Lakeland Center.
RECURRING EVENTS:
A Country Christmas Hayride – Fridays and Saturdays through December 27 (The Smith Family Ranch, Lakeland)
BeFly Bike Tours Christmas Lights Tour – Fridays and Saturdays through December 27 (Lakeland)
Christmas Bricktacular –Saturdays and Sundays through December 28 (LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven)
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)
Gabrielle Wu Lee Exhibition – Through March 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Her Ethereal Self: Portraits by Kathy Sosa – Through March 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
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
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)