Find a complete listing of September and October events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Lunch and Learn Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, September 17
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The museum invites guests to bring lunch and listen to a guest speaker monthly on the third Tuesday.
- July’s speaker and topic is: Dr. Paul Dosal on Cuba and Florida Connection.
Haines City Farmers Market
Date: Wednesday, September 18
Venue: Haines City
- You can’t beat the fresh taste of produce that the growers and produce resellers have to offer at the Haines City Farmers Market.
- Open year-round, the Haines City Farmers Market is free and will always provide you with the freshest produce in Central Florida.
Winter Haven Farmers Market
Date: Thursday, September 19
Venue: Winter Haven
- Join various vendors in Downtown Winter Haven for a traditional farmers market with a multitude of produce, plants, jams and jellies, nuts, honey, and syrup. will be the Honorary Guest Emcee, and guests can enjoy the heavy Hors d’Oeuvres and a cash bar.
Strings in the City
Date: Saturday, September 20
Venue: Lake Mirror Complex, Lakeland
- The Imperial Symphony Chamber Orchestra will present Strings in the City that will feature a special 16 piece string ensemble during a performance at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater.
Bartow Farmers Market
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Bartow
- The Bartow Farmers Market is home to a variety of vendors with different fresh produce, plants, preserves, pickles, and artisans every weekend.
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Lake Silver, Winter Haven
- The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (reestablished in 2012 by former theme park employees) performs a free show every third Saturday monthly on Lake Silver.
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- The Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market returns with a variety of items from freshly picked produce to beautiful plants every Saturday.
Family Day at Polk Museum of Art
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
- This year, families will have the opportunity to explore art through fun activities, art projects, live entertainment, games, balloon bending, face painting and more.
Highland City Community Market
Date: Saturday, September 21
Venue: First Baptist Church of Highland City
- The Highland City Community Market features fresh produce, homemade food specialties, hand-crafted items, yummy food vendors, new items, local businesses, pet services and more on the third Saturday monthly.
Original Lakeland Gun Show
Date: Saturday, September 21 –Sunday, September 22
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- This two-day gun show is open to the public and will showcase hundreds of displays of new and old guns, ammo, gun parts, reloading supplies, books, knives, knife sharpening, coins, camouflage and related items at discount prices.
Florida Trails Hike
Date: Sunday, September 22
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Join a member of the local Florida Trails Chapter for a guided hike of Alligator Alley at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland.
- This nature hike requires sign up.
Historic Lake Mirror Tours
Date: Tuesday, September 24
Venue: Lakeland
- Learn about Lakeland’s history on a Historic Lake Mirror Tour which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month and is limited to 25 people.