Bonnet Springs Park – Lakeland and Polk County’s amazing new place to play outdoors – is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration October 22 and 23, 2022. Trust us when we say… you don’t want to miss it!!
Although Bonnet Springs Park is free and open every day for you to explore in the weeks, months, and years ahead, the Grand Opening will be a festive weekend filled with live music, vendors, strolling performers, art installations, and best of all – the opportunity to see everything that Bonnet Springs has to offer. Admission to Bonnet Springs Park and the Grand Opening weekend is free and open to the public.
What is there to do at Bonnet Springs Park?
Where do we begin?!? Bonnet Springs Park is a 168 acre park FILLED with nature play areas and places to explore. A few photos are below, visit our full article about Bonnet Springs Park to see additional photos and learn more about the features of the park.
Bonnet Springs Park Video
Activities during Grand Opening Weekend
In addition to exploring all that Bonnet Springs Park has to offer, there are also special events and exhibits happening ONLY during Grand Opening Weekend. Highlights include:
- Live Music on the Lounge Stage at the Event Center
- DJ’s {and a community wide dance party!} on the Main Stage on the Great Lawn
- Animal encounters with Busch Gardens and Gatorland on the Nature Pathway
- Mascot Meet and Greets in the Treehouse {Tampa Bay Lightning’s Thunderbug, Tampa Bay Rays’ DJ Kitty, Lakeland Magic’s Swish, Plato the Publixaurus, and more!}
- Train Rides, Face Painting, Art Zone
- Buena Market
- Food Trucks
- Garden Show with vendors
- Bird Watching
- Strolling Performers
- And so much more!!
There is so much to choose from, and some activities are only on Saturday or Sunday. Be sure to look through the full Grand Opening Weekend Event Schedule on the Bonnet Springs Park website to plan your days.
Plan to explore the park between 10am – 5pm, after 5pm only the concert lawn and surrounding areas will be open.
Free Concerts at Bonnet Springs Park
There are FOUR headline acts taking the stage for FREE CONCERTS during Grand Opening Weekend!
Saturday – The Band Perry and Hunter Hayes
Sunday – Sister Hazel and Spin Doctors
Concerts will be held on the Great Lawn. Bring a blanket and enjoy a free outdoor concert {or four} to celebrate the opening of this brand new amazing park. Food and drinks will be available around the concert areas, you can also bring in a picnic and non-alcoholic beverages. More Grand Opening Weekend FAQ’s.
Live music will also be happening at the event center all weekend.
Fireworks
Saturday’s festivities conclude with FIREWORKS! Be sure to stay after the Hunter Hayes concert to enjoy the fireworks show over the lagoon.
Grand Opening Ceremony
If you’re singing in your head… “I want to be in the park when it opens” {channel your inner Hamilton fan…} then you are in luck! There is a Grand Opening Ceremony at 10am on Saturday and everyone is invited. It will be held around the Southstate Bank Plaza at the entrance to the Allen and Company Family Lawn. Just be sure to plan enough time to ride the shuttle into the park and arrive before 10am.
How to get to Bonnet Springs during Grand Opening Weekend
Parking is not available inside the park for October 22-23, but getting to the park is easy. There are designated BSP parking lots along Main Street and in Downtown Lakeland and shuttle stops near those lots for your convenience. Free shuttles will run continuously both days beginning at 9am.
Park in one of the designated locations, find a nearby shuttle stop, and take a short ride to be dropped off directly in the Park. After you’ve explored the park and are ready to head out, jump back on the shuttle at one of two locations inside the park and you’ll be taken back to your original parking location.
Shuttle stops inside the park can be found outside the Florida Children’s Museum {not open to the public Grand Opening weekend – info below} and the Hollis Family Welcome Center.
Additional options for getting to the park include Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft), Walking, or Biking.
Visit the Grand Opening Weekend transportation page for more information on all methods of transportation and a shuttle stop map.
{Beginning Monday, October 24, parking is available on site at Bonnet Springs Park – this is only for Grand Opening Weekend}
Grand Opening Schedule of Events + FAQ’s
There is a full schedule of events on the Bonnet Springs Park website. plus a list of FAQ’s.
Please leave pets at home during the Grand Opening Weekend. Dogs will be allowed in the park after the Grand Opening weekend of events.
When does Bonnet Springs Park open to the public?
Grand Opening Weekend for Bonnet Springs Park is Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2022. The park will be open daily beginning Monday, October 24. Learn more about what there is to see and do at Bonnet Springs Park.
Can I see a map of Bonnet Springs Park?
Visit the website for a map of Bonnet Springs Park.
Florida Children’s Museum
The Florida Children’s Museum opens to the public on November 4, 2022 and will not be open during the Bonnet Springs Park Grand Opening Weekend.
TIP – You can get early access to the Florida Children’s Museum when you sign up for an annual membership starting at only $120.
Have other questions about Grand Opening? Visit the Bonnet Springs Park website for more information.
Come celebrate the opening of Bonnet Springs Park – Lakeland’s newest place to engage, escape, and explore.
Outdoor Activities Guide
Check out our full Outdoor Fun Guide for more outdoor things to do in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida.