Although February is the month of LOVE, our Top 10 list of fun things to do in Lakeland & Polk County covers everything from 5k races to BBQ to music to Mardi Gras and more. If you’re searching for things to do near you this weekend, start here!
We are excited to help you find family-friendly events and activities to add to your calendar in 2023. Beginning in January and ramping up through February, March & April, our calendar is filled with all the fun things to do in Lakeland, so this is our Top 10 list to help you make sure the “can’t miss” events are on your calendar. If you enjoy one of these events, be sure to let the venue know that you heard about it from Lakeland Mom.
- Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Family
- Go on a Date Night
- Pick Strawberries
- Go to a Lakeland Magic Game
- Pig out at a BBQ Festival
- Check out a Mustang Car Show
- Celebrate Mardi Gras
- SyFy Bartow
- Flipping for Charities Pancake Festival
- After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art
- Florida State Fair
- More great events and things to do in February
Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Family
Valentine’s Day is all about LOVE and what better way to show your kiddos the love than with some quality time together! We’ve got a list of events including a Valentine’s Day Market + Block Party in Downtown Lakeland, Outdoor Movie on the Promenade, Daddy/Daughter Dances, plus ideas for family activities around town.
Valentine’s Events are happening throughout February, not just on the 14th. Take a peek now for anything that requires an advance ticket purchase!
Go on a Date Night
We know plenty of parents who don’t go out on Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find another night to have a Date Night in Lakeland, Winter Haven, or somewhere in Polk County.
Check out our Date Night Guide for a list of ideas for fun dates, romantic dates, day dates, local nightlife, and more.
Pick Strawberries
How great is it that we live right next door to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World – Plant City! That means we have an abundance of U-Pick Strawberry farms within an hour’s drive. Strawberry picking is a GREAT family activity to do with kids. The berries grow in raised beds on the ground (unless they are hydroponic) so they are easy for kids to reach.
About 1/2 of the farms on our U Pick Strawberry List are open for the season. Others will not open until commercial picking ends, typically in late February or early March. Click here to see our list of U-Pick Strawberry Farms in Lakeland, Plant City, & Across Central Florida.
Go to a Lakeland Magic Game
The Lakeland Magic have 3 home games in February including the first Sunday afternoon game of the season.
This year there will be 1,000+ promotional items given out at many home games, plus fun themed nights. Free giveaways include t-shirts, banners, bobbleheads, light up sabers, cups and koozies, calendars, and more.
February games include:
🏀 Sunday, February 5 @ 3pm – Hispanic Heritage Night – Giveaway: Replica Jersey
🏀 Friday, February 10 @ 7pm – Black History Celebration – Giveaway: Lakeland Magic Flag
🏀 Saturday, February 11 @ 7pm – Space Jam x Looney Tunes Night – Giveaway: Bugs Bunny + Swish Bobblehead
Learn more about the giveaways and get your tickets at lakelandmagic.com/promotions.
Pig out at a BBQ Festival
January kicked off the BBQ Festival season in Polk County! From January – April there are 5 different local barbeque competitions.
Lakeland Pigfest is the last weekend in January (Jan 27-28, 2023) and there are two big BBQ events in February – Smoke on the Water in Winter Haven, and Ribs on the Ridge in Haines City. See a list of all of Polk County’s BBQ Events.
Check out a Mustang Car Show
Cruise through the years as Imperial Mustangs of Polk County presents a generation of one of America’s ultimate sports cars, the Mustang! Bring the family for an afternoon of car gazing and shopping. This all happens along Town Center Drive at Lakeside Village in Lakeland FL, rain or shine, and admission is FREE.
Mustangs & Mustangs Legends Havin’ Fun Car Show is Saturday, February 25, from 8 am to 4 pm.
Celebrate Mardi Gras
Celebrate Mardi Gras right here in Polk County!
Friday, February 3 @ 6-9pm – First Friday in Downtown Lakeland is Mardi Gras themed. Enjoy food, drinks, beads, and more along Kentucky Ave and Munn Park!
February 17 – 18 – Lake Wales Mardi Gras is back for its annual family-friendly celebration. Since 1984, the annual Mardi Gras parade and festival has entertained thousands of residents and visitors in Lake Wales with floats, beads, live music, food and spirits. Lake Wales Mardi Gras draws estimated crowds of 20,000 people to Lake Wales over the 2-day event. Lake Wales Mardi Gras is one of the largest events of its kind outside of New Orleans!
The Festival takes place around the shores of Lake Wailes and includes live music, children’s activities, local food vendors, beer and wine sales, and activities for the entire family. The parade boasts dozens of floats from the local Mardi Gras Krewes, media personalities, County Commissioners and the Polk County Sheriff Dept. including Sheriff Grady Judd.
Annual 5k Glow Run – Friday @ 6pm
Mardi Gras Festival – Friday @ 5-11pm & Saturday 11am-11pm
Mardi Gras Parade – Saturday @ 3pm
SyFy Bartow
This annual event in Downtown Bartow is a FREE family-friendly outdoor street fair type science fiction convention, which includes a huge movie/television themed car show, food trucks, 100’s of vendors, music and lots of costumed characters. Even if you don’t dress up, this is a fun event just to walk around and see people’s costumes and check out all of the movie and tv themed displays. Mark your calendar for SyFy Bartow on Saturday, February 18 and the kick-off party on Friday night at Bartow’s Friday Fest.
Flipping for Charities Pancake Festival
Love breakfast food? You won’t want to miss Flipping for Charities – Lakeland’s Pancake Festival. Head to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Saturday, February 11 anytime between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm for delicious pancakes and sausage, served up by leaders in our community. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/child (2-12) or $25 for a Family Pack, which includes two adult and 2 child tickets.
After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art
Join the Polk Museum of Art for a new lesson each week using different mediums and learning about the elements of art. After Schoool Art Classes are designed for children ages 5 – 12 and a parent/caregiver, they are free for Museum Members and only $5/child for non-members. Every Monday from January 30 – March 6 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm.
Florida State Fair
The Florida State Fair is filled with entertainment for the whole family! Most activities are included with gate admission, making the state fair the best value for your budget. All You Can Ride armbands start at only $20. February 9 – 20, 2023
More great events and things to do in February
There are WAY more than 10 great events this month, so we’re just going to list a few more right here.
♥ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – presented by Lakeland Community Theatre on weekends, February 17 – March 5
♥ Detroit Tigers Spring Training – games begin on February 25 and run through March 26
♥ Sign up for Family Friendly 5K Races and Kids Fun Runs
♥ Fill in your spring calendar with Lakeland’s Favorite Spring Events
♥ Sign up for FREE Preschool Passes for SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
♥ Visit the Lakeland Farmers Market or another Farmers Market in Polk County
♥ Doing any spring cleaning? Donate items to be reused for other families in our community – Where to Donate Gently Used Toys, Clothing, Household Items, and more
♥ Plan ahead for the Florida Strawberry Festival – March 2 – 12
Happy February!
Be sure you’re signed up for our weekly fun-letter to get all of our Spring & Easter info delivered straight to your inbox so you don’t miss anything {including our popular Summer Camp Guide coming out in late February / early March}.
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.