2023 Holiday and Christmas Guide
Lakeland, Polk County + Central Florida

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!

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. Instead of spending your time tracking down Christmas events near you, we want you to have time for holiday fun and Christmas cheer.

Whether you’re looking for Santa pictures in Lakeland, or your kids prefer to admire Santa from afar, we’ve got photo locations, Breakfast with Santa, and other events where he can be found!

Find a Christmas Tree Lot near you in Lakeland and Polk County, plus a list of Christmas Tree Farms where you can cut your own live Christmas Tree in Central Florida.

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.

There’s nothing like a festive Christmas Parade to make you feel like a kid again! Head out to a Christmas Parade near you for a night of family fun with floats, bands, entertainment, and SANTA.

Find outdoor Christmas activities where you can enjoy the holiday season and our beautiful Central Florida December weather. Outdoor Christmas events, walk-through light displays, drive-thru Christmas lights, and more.

Get into the holiday spirit with these free Christmas activities in Lakeland, Polk County and Central Florida, plus plenty of ideas for free holiday fun at home.

Whether it’s a fun family outing or an “experience” gift, we’ve got a list of Christmas events and activities happening in Tampa Orlando, and Central Florida this holiday season where you can make memories.

Take a day {or night} trip to Tampa, Clearwater, or St. Pete to see free Christmas light displays, enjoy holiday activities, and get into the holiday spirit.

Looking for holiday activities and Christmas lights in Orlando? See a holiday light show, visit a Christmas attraction, or enjoy a night out.

Looking for that one-of-a-kind holiday gift? Visit a holiday market or craft fair to find those unique Christmas gifts your friends and family will love. Get your Christmas shopping done while you shop local and support makers from Lakeland and Central Florida. 

The Nutcracker, Christmas concerts, holiday shows, Christmas plays, orchestra performances and live music to get you in the holiday spirit! Find a local Christmas performance to enjoy this holiday season.

Find local opportunities in Lakeland and Polk County to donate toys for children, food for families, volunteer your time, or make a financial donation to give back to our community this holiday and Christmas season.

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.

Count down to Christmas with 25 Random Acts of Kindness for kids and families. If you’ve been looking for simple ways to slow down and focus on the joys of giving during the holiday season, we’re here to help with ideas that cost little to no money.

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.

Looking for a live nativity scene to visit this holiday season? A live reenactment can make Jesus’ birth and the true meaning of Christmas come alive for children {and adults}. Find drive-thru and outdoor live nativities near you.

Find ice skating rinks in Tampa, & Orlando where you can lace up your skates and hit the ice for a day of family fun at both seasonal and year-round ice skating rinks.

Settle in with blankets and hot cocoa and find your favorite Christmas Movies and TV Specials in November + December! Plus a list of local holiday movie showings in the Lakeland area.