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

Are you ready to count down the days until Christmas 2022?? 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. * Kick off the holiday season at the Lakeland Christmas Parade on December 1 {We’ve got helpful tips from the locals!}

2. * Get into the holiday spirit in Downtown Lakeland! 2022 Christmas Events in Downtown Lakeland include First Friday, the Holiday Night Market, Festive Flix on the Promenade, and more. (The Christmas Lights in Munn Park are some of our favorites!)

3. * It will be SNOWING in Lakeland on December 3 at SNOWFEST in the evening on Promenade at Lake Mirror.

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

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

6. * Sign up for a phone call from Santa on December 6 (register by 12/2)

7. * Attend a Menorah Lighting during Chanukah (Hanukkah). Chabad Jewish Center will light a giant Menorah in Lakeland and Winter Haven. The community is welcome to join in these celebrations.

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

9. * Enjoy live Christmas music at a Christmas Concert or live music performance.

10. * See Elf the Musical at Theatre Winter Haven and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jr. at Lakeland Community Theatre

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

12. * See a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.

13. 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.

14. * Sign up for a holiday themed 5k race.

15. Watch your favorite TV Specials and Christmas Movies at a local event / theatre or at home. Check our Christmas Movie list for local outdoor Christmas Movie nights.

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

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

18. * Visit a Holiday Market or Craft Fair to shop local and support our community’s makers.

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

20. 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 Festivitivies including Night of a Million Lights, Now Snowing in Celebration, the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, Christmas at Gaylord Palms, and more.

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, and will soon be updating our list of things to do over the Holiday Break, and Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events.