Find a complete listing of December and January events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Kathleen Area Historical Society Cane Grinding
Date: Monday, December 16
Venue: Lakeland
- Spend the morning watching the process of cane grinding, and enjoy some “good ole fashion fun”. – Biscuits, Sausage, Cane Syrup and Coffee will be for sale.
Celtic Yuletide
Date: Tuesday, December 17
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- Celtic Yuletide stars internationally renowned Irish tenor Michael Londra, star of PBS’s Beyond Celtic and the lead singer of Riverdance on Broadway, with special guest artists Sephira, world-class Irish dancers and musicians, and a full orchestra that will sweep audiences away.
Legends of Rock in Concert
Date: Tuesday, December 17 – Wednesday, December 18
Venue: Theatre Winter Haven
- This legendary tribute by the best of area singers features the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Journey, Chicago, The B-52s along with Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patsy Cline and Elvis Presley – together with others and backed by Polk County’s Brass Heart Band, a ten piece band that swings with the heart of rock.
Guided Bird Hike
Date: Wednesday, December 18
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Learn about the birds of Circle B Bar Reserve when you join Circle B Bar Reserve for a guided bird hike.
Snow Central
Date: Thursday, December 19
Venue: Winter Haven
- Bring the family downtown to frolic in Winter Haven’s very own winter wonderland with 70 tons of snow making up the snow slide and snow pile (for children and adults to enjoy as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus), a kiddie train, bounce house and more.
Tiny Trekkers
Date: Thursday, December 19
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Become a Tiny Trekker, and join Circle B Bar Reserve for a short hike and nature based outdoor activity. – This is for ages 2-5, but younger/older siblings are welcome.
Downtown Movie Night
Date: Friday, December 20
Venue: Auburndale
- The City of Auburndale Parks and Recreation Department presents a special screening of A Christmas Story in Downtown Auburndale.
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show
Date: Saturday, December 21
Venue: Lake Silver, Winter Haven
- The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (reestablished in 2012 by former theme park employees) offers free performances on Lake Silver in Winter Haven every third Saturday monthly.
West Side Story
Date: Sunday, December 22
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- This revival, based on Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction, remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.
- The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as Something’s Coming, Tonight, America, I Feel Pretty and Somewhere.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Christmas Bricktacular – Through December 22 (LEGOLAND® Florida, Winter Haven)
The Miracle Worker – Through December 22 (Theatre Winter Haven)
A Country Christmas Hayride – Fridays & Saturdays through December 28 (The Smith Family Ranch, Lakeland)
BeFly Bike Tours Christmas Lights Tour – Through December 28 (Lakeland)
Gary Gessford Exhibit – Through December 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
Holiday Home Tour – Through January 5 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Poinsettia Display – Through January 5 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Public Ice Skating –January 6 (The Lakeland Center)
Stephen Knapp: New Light – Through March 8 (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: – 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.