Find a complete listing of October and November events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Masterworks Series
Date: Tuesday, October 22
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- The Imperial Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra, is comprised of 80 volunteer musicians who have made it their mission to entertain, educate and inspire audiences through enlightening performances of symphonic music.
- The orchestra presents a number of concerts each year, primarily at The Lakeland Center, but also at other venues throughout the area.
Monster Planes
Date: Thursday, October 24 – Saturday, October 26
Venue: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
- Monster Planes are radio controlled aircraft giants at their best.
- Food and hobby merchants will be onsite.
BOO! Bash Halloween Celebration
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland
- BOO! Bash provides hands-on Halloween fun and games for children.
- Children and their caregivers are encouraged to wear their finest storybook, fairytale or super hero costume (child-friendly, of course) to take the excitement up a notch.
Joggin’ for the Noggin! 5k
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: Polk State College Lakeland Campus
- The second annual Joggin’ for the Noggin! 5k to benefit Polk State College Foundation promises to be a fun and SCARY, Halloween themed race with zombies throughout the trail to put pep in steps.
- This is a family-friendly race and will include spooky and fun activities for all ages.
Naturally Creepy Trick or Treating
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Creepy crawlies, spider webs and sneaky plants come alive at night during an evening of safe trick-or-treating.
- Bring your treat bag and explore the Gardens after-dark to find candy stations hidden along the torch-lit pathways.
The New Christy Minstrels
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Launching the careers of Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark, Kim Carnes, and Barry McGuire, The New Christy Minstrels are an American folk music group performing at The Lakeland Center.
Trick or Treat Party
Date: Friday, October 25
Venue: Eloise Resource Center, Eloise
- This Polk County Parks and Recreation event is a free community Halloween party with candy, activities for the whole family, and more.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Date: Friday, October 25 – Saturday, October 26
Venue: The Polk Theatre, Lakeland
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stage play, and is presented by The Lipstick Players at the Polk Theatre.
Wings ‘n Things
Date: Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27
Venue: SUN ‘n FUN, Lakeland
- Wings ‘n Things is hosted annually by the Florida Air Museum at SUN ‘n FUN each fall and is a three-day camping weekend showcasing the dynamic world of aviation especially for youth ages 5 to 18.
- Aviation enthusiasts gather to share their knowledge and interests with youth groups and families throughout Florida and the southeast at this event.
Les Miserables
Date: Friday, October 25 – Sunday, November 27
Venue: Lakeland Community Theatre
- This famous musical production comes to the Lakeland Community Theatre Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November 17.
fiART Festival and Food Truck Rally
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Mulberry Phosphate Museum
- The FIAT of Winter Haven studio will be transformed into an art gallery during this event that will benefit the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation’s Fund for Women and Children and will also feature ten food trucks.
Hispanic Festival of Polk County
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Lake Mirror Complex, Lakeland
- The 16th Annual Hispanic Festival of Polk County will take place at Lake Mirror Promenade & Barnett Family Park and will include authentic Hispanic food, live music, a parade of flags, games, arts & crafts, and more.
Mommy & Baby Expo
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland
- Watson Clinic’s OB-GYN department presents the 2nd Annual “We’re Expecting” Mommy & Baby Day Expo open to expectant mothers and their family members, including pregnant women and those who are planning a pregnancy, as well as new parents and grandparents who recently welcomed a baby to their family.
Munn Park Garden Extravaganza
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
- Enjoy a free family day of activities while exploring the many plants and flowers for sale at the 29th Annual Munn Park Garden Extravaganza presented by the Garden Club of Lakeland and featuring over 50 vendors who will be selling a large variety of plants & flowers for yards and patios, as well as beautiful and unusual garden art.
Murder She Rhymed Murder Mystery Dinner
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Ramon Theater, Frostproof
- Join the Ramon Theater for an evening of mystery, food and fun where costumes are welcome and prizes will be awarded.
nightFlight
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Fantasy of Flight, Polk City
- Join the experts with Apollo Paranormal Investigations on this unique journey through the Fantasy of Flight hangars after dark.
- Your event ticket includes three hours of unlimited beer samples presented by Bernie Little Distributors, a delicious soft pretzel, a souvenir pilsner sample cup and great live music.
Polk County Marching Band Showcase
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Winter Haven High School
- Fifteen High School Marching Bands from around Polk County will showcase their halftime show for an audience of thousands at this Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Band Music Performance Assessment.
Polk Outpost 27 Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, October 26
Venue: Polk Outpost 27, Davenport
- Polk County’s official visitor information center will help visitors welcome the fall season this year with its sixth annual Fall Festival.
- In addition to representatives from area attractions, two bounce houses, free candy, food vendors, games, movies and a pumpkin decorating contest will be onsite at the event.
Pioneer Days Festival
Date: Saturday, October 26 – Sunday, October 27
Venue: Shores of Lake Wailes, Lake Wales
- Activities include crafters, demonstrators, re-enactors, an Antique Car Parade, a free architectural carriage tour, children’s activities, an antique car parade, entertainment and much more.
Artful Bowl on the Bridge
Date: Tuesday, October 29
Venue: Orange Street Bridge, Lakeland
- This is a celebration for the Platform Art Park & Community Garden and the ceramic tile Public Art installation on the Orange Street Bridge in Lakeland.
- The event opens in the Garden Lounge and progresses to an art party on the Orange Street Bridge with entertainment including visual art, film, fashion, live music and performance.
RECURRING EVENTS:
BeFly Bike Ghost Tours – Weekends through October 27 (Lakeland)
Brick-or-Treat – Weekends through October 27 ( LEGOLAND® Florida, Winter Haven)
CornFusion Corn Maze & Zombie Paintball – Weekends through October 27 (The Smith Family Ranch, Lakeland)
Buckingham Terror – Through October 31 (Lakeland)
Sculptor Kelly Boehmer at The Loft Art Gallery – Through October 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
Have Lens Will Travel: Photographs by Tom Mack – Through November 23 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Paintings of the Space Age – Through December 7 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
reGeneration2: Tomorrow’s Photographers Today – Through December 7 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Bartow Farmers Market – Saturdays weekly
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly
Good Health Fresh Goods & Crafts Market – First, second, third Saturdays monthly
Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays monthly
Highland City Community Market – Third Saturday monthly
Mulberry Farmers Market – Third Saturday monthly
Saturday Night Rodeo – Saturdays weekly (Westgate River Ranch Resort, River Ranch)
Children’s Programming: Magical Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Thrilling Thursday and Fun Friday – Monday through Friday weekly (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
For this week’s sporting events, check out “What’s Happening in Central Florida Sports” on CatchCentralFlorida.com.