2021 Holiday and Christmas Guide
Lakeland, Polk County + Central Florida
🎄 Do you want to make Christmas 2021 a holiday season your kids will remember?
🎄 Are you tired of trying to figure out what events are still happening this year?
🎄 Ready to get out there and start celebrating the Christmas season with your family?
You found the ultimate guide to family-friendly holiday fun in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida. Our communities are bursting with holiday cheer this time of year, and we want to help you and your family make memories as you experience the sights and sounds of the Christmas and holiday season.
Below you’ll find all the family-friendly holiday happenings and kids activities in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Mulberry, Auburndale, Haines City, & across Polk County.
Whether you’re looking for a Christmas parade, photos with Santa, live performances, Christmas concerts, places to donate or volunteer, day trips in Central Florida, special events, or the best neighborhood Christmas light displays, your search is over – you’ll find it all here.
See something we missed? Contact Us or Submit your Event. We’ll be adding events and activities daily, so be sure to check back on a regular basis.
Click here to sign up for our email “fun-letter” to get new ideas for Christmas activities in Lakeland each week.
HOLIDAY + CHRISTMAS FAVORITES
THINGS TO DO IN LAKELAND + POLK COUNTY FOR CHRISTMAS
Please check directly with event organizers or local businesses for advance registration and any last-minute changes. While we do our best to provide accurate information, we include an outside link so you can verify the details for all events and activities.
Go on a drive and see the best Christmas light displays in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and Polk County.
Enjoy floats, bands, and the festive atmosphere of the Lakeland Christmas Parade or one of the 11 other Christmas Parades in Polk County.
Find an outdoor Christmas event, walk through event, or drive through light display.
Enjoy FREE Christmas Events and activities you can do at home without spending any money.
Print out our 25 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Calendar and find ideas to spread joy to others this holiday season.
Find a place to take photos with Santa or sign up for a Santa Breakfast.
Sign up for a free phone call from Santa.
See Santa fly a plane at the SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Fly-In Festival and Car Show on December 3 – 4
Pick out your Christmas Tree at a local Christmas Tree Lot or get adventurous and find a Christmas Tree Farm in Florida.
Browse a Holiday Market or Christmas Craft Fair and find handmade, unique Christmas gifts.
Watch the Nutcracker Ballet performed live or enjoy a Holiday Concert.
Print out our 25 Days of Christmas Fun Calendar for a month’s worth of holiday fun.
Watch your favorite Christmas Movie or a Holiday TV Special.
Go Ice Skating in Lakeland, Tampa, or Orlando.
Donate Christmas Toys or Food or find places to Volunteer and other free things you can do to spread kindness this holiday season.
Head to Tampa or Orlando for a Holiday Day Trip.
Purchase an Experience Gift this year – they don’t take up space!
Find things to do during the holiday break in Lakeland while the kids are out of school.
Sign your kids up for a Christmas Break Camp.
Track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Ring in 2022 at a Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration {because we are ALL ready to bid farewell to 2021!}
RECENT CHRISTMAS + HOLIDAY ARTICLES
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Lakeland, Tampa + Orlando
Wondering where you can ring in 2022 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 2021 out with a bang!
Things To Do During Christmas Break in Lakeland + Polk County
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.
How to Track Santa on Christmas Eve – NORAD Santa Tracker + Google Santa Tracker
Track Santa Claus as he travels around the world on Christmas Eve. Thanks to modern technology, you can find out Santa’s current location on a phone, tablet, or computer using the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker. {Plus FREE GAMES throughout December!}
Experience the Magic of The Nutcracker with Russian Ballet Orlando at the Polk Theatre
This holiday season, your family can experience the magic of The Nutcracker at the historic Polk Theatre in Lakeland. This stunning holiday performance by Russian Ballet Orlando is the perfect way to kick off your Christmas celebrations!
Celebrate the Holiday Season at the SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Fly-In Festival and Car Show
Kick off the holiday season with outdoor family fun at the SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Fly-In Festival and Car Show. SANTA even has special clearance to fly-in on Saturday!
Winter Break Camps for Kids in Lakeland + Polk County
If you’re looking for camps for Winter Break, activities to keep your kids busy, or you need childcare while you’re working, we’ve got a list of Holiday Break camps in Lakeland.
7 Tips for Attending the Lakeland Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas Parade in Lakeland has been a local tradition for 40 years. Thousands of people flock to Downtown Lakeland in early December each year to watch more than 100 floats and marching bands kick off Christmas in Lakeland. Get tips for attending this popular parade.
The Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Holiday Displays in Lakeland + Polk County
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 Gift Ideas – Give the gift of Family Activities + Fun Memories
Check out our list of experience gifts that don’t take up space or add to the clutter in your house! These are annual passes, tickets, and experiences that will bring smiles, build up families, and won’t end up in a junk bin.
Where to Buy Hot Chocolate Bombs in Lakeland + Polk County
Thank you 2020 for the gift of hot chocolate bombs! This new trending edible gift is the newest way to make hot cocoa, just in time for the Christmas holidays. Find out where to buy hot chocolate bombs in the Lakeland area in 2021.
Christmas Events Calendar for Lakeland and Polk County
We’ve sorted through the MANY events happening in Lakeland and Polk County during the holidays and put all of the kid-friendly activities and family events into one list for you. Instead of spending your time tracking down events, we want you to have time for holiday fun and Christmas cheer.
25 Days of Christmas Fun in Lakeland + Polk County {with Printable Calendar}
Are you ready to count down the days until Christmas 2021? We created a list of 25 days of Christmas Fun in Lakeland and Polk County to help you and your family find a few special things to enjoy this holiday season. Printable calendar included!
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100+ Things to Do with Kids
Check out our Ultimate List of Things to Do with Kids in Lakeland + Polk County to find indoor fun, outdoor fun, free things to do, seasonal activities, and more.