ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA?

The Polk County School Calendar for the 2026-27 school year has been approved. Get dates for the first day of school, last day of school, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and more.

The Polk County School Calendar for the 2025-26 school year has been approved. Get dates for the first day of school, last day of school, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and more.

With year-round sunshine here in Central Florida, you can find an abundance of 5k races, 10k races, and Fun Runs throughout the year! Check our list of upcoming family-friendly races and kids fun runs in Lakeland, Winter Haven & across Polk County.

January kicks off the spring season with many of our favorite annual events! We’ve got a list of the best things to do this month so you can be sure the “can’t miss” events are on your calendar. Check out our January Top 10 for Lakeland and Polk County.

BBQ Festivals are fun, family friendly events with good eats, live entertainment, kids activities, and more. Get details on upcoming barbecue competitions including Lakeland PigFest and Ribs on the Ridge in Haines City.

Here in Lakeland and across Polk County we have fantastic festivals and community events that happen every spring! Get out your calendar and pencil in the dates for these local favorites including art shows, BBQ Festivals SUN ‘n FUN, Swan Derby, Mayfaire, & more.

The ultimate guide to Spring Fun in Lakeland + Polk County from January to May. Spring Break, Easter Egg Hunts, Lakeland’s favorite annual spring events, and more.

Step back in time at the Alafia River Rendezvous. This annual event in Polk County is a living portrayal of pre-1840 America. Music, games, artisans & more, open to the public January 24-25, 2025.

Check out these U-Pick Strawberry farms in Plant City or within an hour’s drive of Lakeland & Polk County. Strawberry picking is a great family activity since the berries grow in raised beds on the ground and are easy for kids to reach.

In 2025, kids 5 and younger get into Busch Gardens Tampa AND Adventure Island Water Park for FREE! Sign up today to get your FREE Preschool Pass and have some theme park fun.

In 2025, kids 5 and younger get FREE ADMISSION to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Water Park! Sign up today to get your FREE Preschool Card and make some theme park memories.

Wondering where you can ring in 2024 with the kids? We’ve rounded up a list of family-friendly New Year’s Eve (and NOON Year’s Eve) events in Lakeland and across Central Florida. Whether you celebrate at 12pm or 12am, send 2023 out with a bang!

The Ultimate Holiday Break Activity Guide for Lakeland & Polk County. Events, activities, & things to do with kids out and about around town while school is out.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kane’s Furniture have Teamed Up with a great promotion for Central Florida residents. Register now for a free ticket to Busch Gardens anytime the Bucs record 10 first downs or more in a game.

Find the best neighborhood Christmas Light displays and community lights around Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Mulberry, Plant City, and more. Includes a map you can use for your own Christmas lights driving tour!

Experience holiday magic and Christmas lights at Bonnet Springs Park’s ‘Light Up BSP’ event. Free, festive fun from December 15-31. Music, family activities, snow, a canopy light walk, and more – nightly from 6:30-8:30 PM.

Enjoying an outdoor picnic is an ideal family activity for all ages. Here are our picks for 10 perfect picnic spots in Lakeland, many with picnic tables and a playground or other option for outdoor fun nearby.

Experience the magic of Ariana Village’s Christmas Lights in Lakeland! A festive {and free} drive-through Christmas display with inflatables, lights, music, and more from December 15-23, 6-9pm nightly.