Experience the magic of Christmas in Lakeland, FL, where the holiday spirit truly shines with an array of events and activities for all ages. From the dazzling Lakeland Christmas Parade with its beautifully illuminated floats to the serene Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens featuring enchanting carillon concerts, there's something for everyone.
Visitors will also be thrilled by Christmas at the Fantasy of Flight, where vintage aircraft are adorned in festive decor. Discover the heartwarming blend of tradition and celebration this season in Lakeland.
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The Top Christmas Events in Lakeland
- Lakeland Christmas Parade
- Lakeland Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
- Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabout
- Lake Mirror Holiday Stroll
- Festival of Wreaths
- Lakeland Ice Arena Christmas Show
Lakeland Holiday Light Displays
Lake Mirror Holiday Stroll
What to Expect:
Lakeside promenade with holiday decorations and activities
Description:
The Lake Mirror Holiday Stroll transforms the historic promenade into a festive walkway. Twinkling lights reflect off the lake's surface, creating a shimmering display. This event celebrates the restoration of the Lake Mirror Promenade, a project completed in 1928 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can enjoy live music performances scattered along the route. The stroll offers a unique perspective on Lakeland's blend of natural beauty and urban development, all dressed up for the holiday season.
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Lakeland Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabout
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of downtown businesses and holiday displays
Description:
The Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabout invites visitors to explore the city's historic core at their own pace. Local businesses open their doors, offering special promotions and festive displays. This event showcases Lakeland's unique architectural heritage, with many buildings dating back to the early 20th century. Participants can collect stamps on a holiday passport for a chance to win prizes. The walkabout highlights the community's commitment to supporting local enterprises while celebrating the season.
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Downtown Lakeland Holiday Walkabout
Lakeland Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Wreaths
What to Expect:
Showcase and auction of uniquely decorated wreaths
Description:
The Festival of Wreaths displays an array of creatively adorned wreaths, each telling a unique story. Local artists, businesses, and community groups contribute their artistic visions, resulting in a diverse collection that goes beyond traditional holiday decor. Visitors can bid on their favorite wreaths in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting local charities. You can vote for the "People's Choice" award, adding an interactive element to the viewing experience. This event, inspired by similar festivals across the country, has become a platform for showcasing Lakeland's artistic talent and community spirit.
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Lakeland Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Professional orchestra performing holiday classics
Description:
The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra elevates the holiday season with a concert blending classical masterpieces and beloved seasonal tunes. This professional ensemble, founded in 1965, showcases the talents of local musicians. The concert hall resonates with rich, orchestral renditions of holiday favorites. Audience members can immerse themselves in the powerful live performance, experiencing the nuances of each instrument. The program often includes a mix of traditional carols and contemporary compositions, reflecting the diverse musical heritage of the holiday season.
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Lakeland Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Lakeland Ice Arena Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Ice skating performance with holiday themes
Description:
The Lakeland Ice Arena Christmas Show glides into the holiday season with a spectacular display of figure skating prowess. Professional and amateur skaters perform intricate routines set to classic and contemporary holiday music. The show incorporates elaborate costumes and props, transforming the ice into a winter stage. Audience members can marvel at the graceful movements and athletic feats of the skaters. This event brings a touch of winter sports culture to Central Florida, where ice skating is a novelty rather than a common pastime.
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Lakeland Ice Arena Christmas Show
Lakeland Other Holiday Activities
Lakeland Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime parade in Central Florida
Description:
Lakeland's annual Christmas parade illuminates the night with dazzling floats and marching bands. This cherished tradition, dating back to 1980, brings the community together for an evening of holiday cheer. Spectators line the streets to catch glimpse of elaborately decorated entries and wave to local celebrities. You can join the festivities by decorating a chair for the "best seat" contest. The parade route winds through historic downtown, showcasing Lakeland's architectural gems alongside the seasonal spectacle.
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Nearby Events
Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales)
What to Expect:
Holiday concerts on a 60-bell carillon
Description:
Bok Tower Gardens transforms into a holiday haven, featuring unique carillon concerts echoing across the landscape. The 205-foot Singing Tower, completed in 1929, houses one of the world's finest carillons. Visitors can stroll through the lush gardens adorned with poinsettias and seasonal plantings. Experience the serenity of nature blended with holiday melodies as you explore the winding paths. The historic Pinewood Estate, decorated in period style, offers a glimpse into Christmas celebrations of the past.
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Christmas at the Fantasy of Flight (Polk City)
What to Expect:
Vintage aircraft adorned with holiday decorations
Description:
Fantasy of Flight melds aviation history with holiday spirit, showcasing vintage aircraft bedecked in seasonal finery. This unique attraction allows visitors to step back in time and experience the golden age of flight with a festive twist. Explore the hangar filled with rare and restored planes, each telling a story of aviation's past. You can even take a ride in a biplane for a thrilling holiday adventure. The museum's collection includes aircraft from World War II, offering a poignant reminder of history amidst the celebrations.
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Christmas at the Fantasy of Flight
Christmas Lane (Plant City)
What to Expect:
Over 1.5 million lights in a walk-through display
Description:
Christmas Lane dazzles visitors with an immersive light display featuring over 1.5 million twinkling bulbs. This family-friendly attraction began as a small neighborhood display and has grown into a beloved regional tradition. Stroll through themed areas, each telling a different holiday story through intricate light arrangements. You can snap photos with costumed characters scattered throughout the display. The event's humble origins as a single family's decoration project in the 1980s highlight the community spirit that continues to drive this spectacular annual showcase.
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Snowfest (Winter Haven)
What to Expect:
Real snow in Florida for sledding and play
Description:
SnowFest brings a touch of winter wonder to sunny Florida, creating a rare opportunity for locals to experience real snow. This unique event transforms a section of the city into a snowy playground, complete with sledding hills and areas for snowball fights. Children and adults alike can build snowmen and make snow angels, activities typically impossible in Florida's climate. You can learn about the science of snow-making through educational displays. The event pays homage to Lakeland's northern visitors and residents, offering a taste of their winter traditions in the Sunshine State.
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Carols in the Park (Winter Haven)
What to Expect:
Community sing-along of holiday carols in an outdoor setting
Description:
Carols in the Park unites the community in song, filling the air with the joyous sounds of holiday classics. This outdoor event harks back to the tradition of communal caroling, popular in the 19th century. Local choirs and musicians lead the singing, encouraging all attendees to join in. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the music under the stars. The park's natural setting provides a serene backdrop for this harmonious gathering, creating a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of modern holiday celebrations.
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Haines City Christmas Parade (Haines City)
What to Expect:
Small-town parade with a focus on local community groups
Description:
The Haines City Christmas Parade showcases the heart of this close-knit community. Local schools, businesses, and organizations create floats and march in this charming procession. The parade route winds through the historic downtown, lined with buildings that tell the story of the city's citrus industry roots. Spectators can catch candy tossed from floats, a beloved tradition in small-town parades. This event highlights the strong community bonds that have sustained Haines City through its long history, dating back to its founding in 1885.
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Santa's Christmas Tree Forest (Eustis)
What to Expect:
Choose and cut your own Christmas tree in Florida
Description:
Santa's Christmas Tree Forest offers a unique Florida twist on the traditional Christmas tree farm experience. Despite the warm climate, visitors can wander through rows of specially cultivated trees, selecting and cutting their own. The farm grows varieties adapted to Florida's environment, challenging the notion that real Christmas trees are only for colder regions. You can take a hayride through the property, learning about sustainable tree farming practices. This attraction blends agricultural education with holiday traditions, showcasing Florida's diverse agricultural capabilities.
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Bartow Christmas Parade (Bartow)
What to Expect:
Oldest continuous Christmas parade in Polk County
Description:
Bartow's Christmas Parade boasts a rich history as the oldest continuous holiday procession in Polk County. This long-standing tradition reflects the city's commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing the holiday spirit. Floats adorned with thousands of lights illuminate the historic downtown streets. Spectators can enjoy the sounds of local marching bands performing seasonal tunes. The parade route passes by several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offering a glimpse into Bartow's architectural legacy alongside the festive displays.
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Winter Wonderland of Lights (Auburndale)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display synchronized to music
Description:
The Winter Wonderland of Lights immerses visitors in a symphony of light and sound. This drive-through experience features thousands of LED lights synchronized to holiday music, broadcast through your car's radio. The display incorporates cutting-edge technology to create animated scenes that dance to the rhythm of the music. You can enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your vehicle, making it accessible for all ages and abilities. This modern take on holiday light displays showcases the evolution of Christmas celebrations in the digital age.