TOP 10 TO DO

LAKELAND TOP 10

HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND

Celebrate the holidays the LEGOLAND way! This time of year features a combination of seasonal shows and treats, special LEGO characters, twinkling lights, fireworks on select nights and more during Holidays at LEGOLAND and Kids’ New Year’s Party! View schedule and purchase tickets in advance at legoland.com/florida/

FLYING FESTIVAL & CAR SHOW

SUN ‘n FUN is hosting a Holiday

Flying Festival and Car Show on December 4th and 5th. The two-day fly-in/drive-in event will include numerous aircraft displays, a large airplane and car show, plus food vendors, live music, and many other activities, held on the

SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus at the Lakeland Linder International

Airport. More info at flysnf.org.

10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WREATHS

This year, the Festival of Wreaths is virtual! This online-only auction showcases wreaths made by local businesses and is sponsored by the Polk History Center. The last day to bid is Dec. 16th, winning bids announced on the 17th. Visit polkhistorycenter.org anytime to place your bid on your favorites.

HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT

Dec. 5, 6-9pm at Bok Tower

Gardens. Ring in the holidays with the 10-member Silver Bells

Big Band and Geert D’hollander. $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers, purchase online or at

Visitor Center in advance. Beer, wine, and light snacks will be available for purchase. Limited tickets available. 863-734-1222.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

What’s the Story?: Art in Search of a Narrative places you, the viewer, at the center of its storytelling experience. Every work in the exhibition cries out for a narrative. Go online and write YOUR narrative under the work of art so others can see. polkmuseumofart. org/wts-narrative

SANTACON

Dec. 12, 5-7pm pick up a tour map at Swan Brewing. That night visit participating bars, purchase a drink and they will sign your map. At the end of the night, turn in your completed map to be entered into a raffle. Winner will receive prizes & swag from every participating bar! More info at lkldsantacon.comstev

BLUE CHRISTMAS ELVIS TRIBUTE

Dec. 3 & 4 at 8pm at the Historic Ritz Theatre. Dwight Icenhower is a Five-Time World Champion Elvis Presley Tribute Artist and considered to be one of the best in the world today. He has mastered the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s eras of Elvis’ career and has won a myriad of national Elvis awards. Purchase tickets in advance, online at centralfloridatix.com.

HOLLY JOLLY JINGLE BELL JOG 5K

This year, you can join in person on Dec. 12th at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course OR you can jog virtually to support the Perpetual Care Fund for the 3 Parks Trail. The Jingle Bell Jog is a fun, festive event including a chipped 5k and virtual 5k options. Runners and walkers of all levels are welcome, staggered start times. Register in advance www.JBJog.com

SNOWFEST

Dec. 4, 6-9pm. Features a stroll through the snow along with other holiday delights in the area of the amphitheater on the east side of Lake Mirror. Visitors will enter the Snowfest with the suggested price of admission – one canned food item per person entering. All collected non-perishable food items will be donated. More info

at lakelandgov.net

HAPPY NEW YEAR

“May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.” Have a very happy and healthy new year from all of us at Haven & LKLD magazines! We wish you much love & laughter in 2021! Stay safe & we’ll see you around town!

ORLANDO TOP 10

DAZZLING NIGHTS

Throughout December at Leu Gardens. Walk through the gardens with interactive lights on the ground, journey through a forest of light and fog as if walking through the aurora borealis, immerse yourself in a 65’ long tunnel of light, and you might even see snow! Masks required, must purchase ticket in advance at dazzlingorlando.com

THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 5, 12 &19 at the Dr. Phillips Center. The Orlando Ballet presents the beloved Holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. Let the magical world of Clara’s dreams take you on a journey through sparkling snowflakes, waltzing flowers and dancing sweets! Early booking is recommended, ticket must be purchased in advance. 407-358-6603 Drphillipscenter.org

FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS

Through Dec 30th at the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Features holiday traditions from the 11 countries at Epcot, as well as a cookie stroll and holiday entertainment. Advance scheduling required to celebrate at Disney World. disneyworld.disney.go.com

HOLIDAY POPS

Dec. 6, 5-7pm. The City of Winter Park wants to help you celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents its annual Holiday Pops concert in beautiful Central Park in downtown Winter Park. Bring chairs or a blanket to sit on. cityofwinterpark.org/events/

POINSETTIA SALE

Dec. 3, 11am-2pm, the members of the Bloom & Grow Garden Society will be outside at the Crooked Can Brewery Marketplace for their annual poinsettia sale. You can purchase either a Red or Ice Crystal (pink & white) florist quality poinsettia in a 6 ½ inch pot with gold foil wrap. They will not be accepting cash. Card or check only. Bloomandgrow.club

VIRTUAL HOLIDAY CABARET

Celebrate the holiday season with a special one-hour cabaret featuring the fabulous Natalie Cordone! Performing favorite seasonal hits from radio, TV, film and stage, Natalie’s stunning voice and charm will be the perfect way to brighten up your holiday festivities. This event will be available for a three-day period, 11am Dec 18, through 11am Dec 21, 2020 with a minimum $20 donation. Winterparkplayhouse.org

NORTH SHORE BIRDING FESTIVAL

Dec. 3-7. The Lake Apopka North Shore is now a top birding hotspot, nearly 370 species of birds have been sighted, more than any inland site in the U.S. including the Everglades. Participate in field trips on the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore property and other Central Florida sites. More info here orangeaudubonfl.org/festival/

2020 CHEEZ-IT BOWL

Features the top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12, and will take place Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN. This bowl season will mark Cheez-It’s first as an Orlando bowl title sponsor. Last year’s game was known as the Camping World Bowl. cheezitbowl.com

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Dec. 4, 7pm as part of the Enzian Popcorn Flicks series in Central Park, Winter Park. Advanced registration is required to reserve your free, socially-distanced, 10’x10’ movie space. Up to 6 people per party. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the Curbside To-Go program to grab a meal to enjoy in the park during the movie. Masks are encouraged.

enzian.org

ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS

Dec. 29 at 7pm. Watch the first home game of the season against the Jacksonville Icemen at the Amway Center. The Orlando Solar Bears are the affiliate team of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and are back for their ninth season. Purchase tickets in advance amwaycenter.com

TAMPA TOP 10

LIGHTNING WINE & BUBBLY VAN GOGH ALIVE

The 2020 Stanley Cup Champions have commemorated The exhibition at the Dali Museum DRIVE THROUGH RUN RUN RUDOLPH their second championship in BUSCH GARDENS in St. Pete features more than SANTA’S VILLAGE VIRTUAL 5K franchise history with limited- CHRISTMAS TOWN 3,000 Van Gogh images at an edition wine. The etched enormous scale, viewed through Through Dec. 27th. From the Grab your Santa hat, elf ears, or and hand-painted bottles of Now through Jan. 3, 2021, enjoy high-definition projectors and safety of your vehicle, enjoy Rudolph antlers for this virtual 5k ‘Championship Reserve’ are a open-air, safe holiday family synchronized to a powerful over a mile of dazzling lights run-walk for all ages from Dec. 1, limited-edition Central Coast festivities at Busch Gardens classical score. Cinema-quality and holiday displays at the 2020 - Jan. 9, 2021. To compete, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Christmas Town. Feel the magic surround-sound amplifies the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, register, choose your location, Monterey Merlot blend that of millions of sparkling lights, new emotion generated by the 215 Sydney Washer Rd in Dover. and run or walk indoors or has been aged for 15 months in holiday fireworks, the first-ever works themselves. In addition At the end of the twinkling outside at your own pace. Submit a combination of French and outdoor production of Christmas to the iconic works featured, drive, check out Santa’s Village. your results to earn your medal! American Oak barrels. The On Ice, holiday dining, shopping, visitors can examine Van Gogh’s Festivities also include camel and Participants will receive Finisher ‘Championship Bubbly’ is in one- shows & Christmas lights, meet inspiration via photographs and pony rides, amusement rides, Medal (Nose Lights Up), Race Bib, of-a-kind metallic bottles. Can be & greets, Holly Jolly Express, and video displayed alongside them. and photos with Santa! For Antlers & Running Buff. Limited purchased online at more! Reservations required. More Purchase tickets in advance admission prices & schedule, visit registration. For more info, visit ManosWine.com. info at buschgardens.com thedali.org thewonderlandoflights.com. thevirtualrunchallenge.com

CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAYVIRTUAL CONCERT

Available on Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 pm, followed by a New Years’ Eve Live Party Event on Dec. 31 at 10:30 pm. Watch previous shows like The Roaring Twenties or Singalong Broadway Virtual Concert Events online. Virtual events are free to watch, please donate to help them produce more fantastic shows. To watch virtual concerts or for more info visit franciswilsonplayhouse.org

TAMPA RIVERWALK HOLIDAY FEST

Support local makers amid fresh air and good cheer! Put a twinkle in your holidays at Tampa Riverwalk HOLIDAY FEST on Sat., Dec. 12, from 10 am to 6 pm at 1710 N Highland Ave, Tampa. With fresh air and social distancing, this festive market will include local hand-made designs, holiday market goodies, apparel, jewelry, food trucks, kids art areas, and live music. For more info about this pet-friendly event, visit yourtampamarkets.com.

HOLIDAY POPS

Enjoy the sounds of the season with The Florida Orchestra! With Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez at the helm, The Florida Orchestra will quell your need for holiday favorites from Dec. 11-13 at The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. From concert repertoire to seating, there are different rules to keep guests safe. For showtimes and tickets, call the box office at (727) 300-2000 or visit themahaffey.com.

JAGGED LITTLE PILL LIVESTREAM

Dec. 13, at 8 pm, for one night only, the Broadway cast of Jagged Little Pill is reuniting for a live performance in NYC for a livestream event. All tickets include access to the livestream premiere on Sunday, December 13th at 8:00 pm ET and OnDemand access through Tuesday, December 15th. This event directly supports venues experiencing revenue loss during the ongoing health crisis. Grab tickets at strazcenter.org

IMAGINE MUSEUM

The museum displays the works of glass artists from around the world. Current exhibits include American Masters in Glass, Glass Now, Contemporary Asian Glass Art, 1000 Buddha Installation, Marlene Rose, Bertil Vallien, Petr Hora, Lino Tagliapietra, and “Becoming… Transformations in Science, Nature, and Art.” For more information, visit imaginemuseum.com