Our 25 Favorite Things to Do During The Christmas Season in Lakeland + Polk County

Are you ready to count down the days until Christmas 2024?? We created a list of 25 Christmas things to do in Lakeland and Polk County (AKA – 25 days of Christmas Fun) to help you make the most out of your family time this December. While we certainly don’t expect you to do ALL the things on this list, we do hope it helps you and your family find a few special things to enjoy this holiday season in Lakeland and Central Florida.

We’ve even included a printable calendar for you to put on the fridge or save to your phone!

Use the calendar or the links below to get more information on dates, times, locations, and registration/tickets (if applicable). Our list includes Lakeland Christmas events, ideas for family activities across Polk County, and our popular Christmas Light Driving Guide. These events are fun, family-friendly, and many of them are free!

Note that the Christmas Calendar is easiest to save and/or print from a laptop. Various settings on mobile devices may prevent you from opening this as a printable or clickable PDF as it is designed.

25 Things to Do for Christmas Fun in Lakeland + Polk County

* Denotes events and activities that are on specific dates – be sure to plan ahead for these events! All other activities listed run multiple days/weeks or can be done anytime.

1. Find a Christmas Tree or visit a Christmas Tree Farm.

2. * Take Pictures with Santa or meet him at an event.

3. Donate toys and holiday gifts to families in need.

4. * Visit a Holiday Market or Craft Fair to shop local and support our community’s makers, including the Holiday Night Market in Lakeland (12/14) and the Mistletoe Market in Bartow (12/14).

5. * Kick off the holiday season at the Lakeland Christmas Parade on December 5 {We’ve got helpful tips from the locals!}

6. * Get into the holiday spirit in Downtown Lakeland! 2024 Christmas Events in Downtown Lakeland include First Friday (12/6), the Holiday Night Market (12/14), Festive Flix on the Promenade, and more. (The Christmas Lights in Munn Park are some of our favorites!)

7. * It will be SNOWING in Lakeland on December 7 at SNOWFEST in the evening on Promenade at Lake Mirror.

8. * Meet your favorite princesses, princes, superheroes, and Santa at the Dreams Come True Entertainment Merry Magical Holiday Ball on December 8.

9. * Enjoy live Christmas music at a Christmas Concert or live music performance, find tickets for a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, or see A Christmas Story: The Musical at Theatre Winter Haven.

10. * Sign up for a phone call from Santa on December 10 (register by 12/2)

11. Sign up for a fun camp for kids over Winter Break.

12. * Attend a Christmas parade in Polk County – there are 12 different parades to choose from!

13. * Fly on over to the Aerospace Center for Excellence and SUN ‘n FUN Campus for two festive events this December – The Flight Before Christmas on 12/7 and The Polar Express: Airmail Edition on 12/13 and 12/14 {advance ticket purchase required}

14. * Visit a Live Nativity. Both walk-through and drive-through Nativities are planned for this year.

15. * Get tickets for International Ballet of Florida’s stunning performance of The Nutcracker on December 15 at The Polk Theatre.

16. Visit Bok Tower Gardens or LEGOLAND Florida for holiday-themed fun at these popular local attractions.

17. Pick a night and drive through Ariana Village for a spectacular Christmas Light display. Free and open nightly from December 15-23.

18. Buy an Experience Gift – tickets, memberships, and annual passes. Give an experience that will bring smiles, build up families, and won’t end up in a donation bin.

19. Plan a Day Trip (or night trip) towards the Tampa or St. Pete / Clearwater area to enjoy a holiday event including the Festival of Lights, Nights of Shimmering Lights, Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa, the Christmas Village at Curtis Hixon Park and light displays along the Riverwalk, and more. Plan a Day Trip (or evening trip) to Orlando to enjoy Holiday Festivities including Now Snowing in Celebration, the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, Christmas at Gaylord Palms, and more.

20. * Head to Bonnet Springs Park for Light Up BSP – a free walk-through holiday light display plus themed family friendly activities on the lawn. The lights will be on nightly from December 13-31.

21. Perform Random Acts of Kindness (we’ve got a list with 25 kid-friendly ideas).

22. Go Ice Skating with friends or family.

23. Take a drive to see the best Christmas Lights in Lakeland + Polk County.

24. Track Santa on Christmas Eve.

25. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

BONUS – We also have a full Christmas Events Calendar you can browse by date OR by City, information on Free Christmas Events, Outdoor Christmas Events, plus things to do over the Holiday Break, and Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events.

Get your own printable calendar!