TOP 10

LAKELAND TOP 10

COPS FOR KIDS

Donate new, unwrapped toys until December 3 at any of these locations: Lakeland Police Department, 219 N. Mass Ave; City Hall, 228 S Mass Ave; Lakeland Public Libraries (100 Lake Morton Drive, 1700 N Florida Avenue, 4740 S Florida Avenue); Lakeland Electric, 501 E Lemon St; Kelly Recreation Complex, 404 Imperial Blvd. For additional information, call 863.834.6912.

ART CRAWL

Nov. 6, 9am-4pm at Munn Park in Lakeland. Art Crawl is a FREE festival featuring over 50 local artists selling artwork and competing for prizes alongside live music, performances, and art demonstrations! Art Crawl is designed to spotlight emerging artists, performers, other area art organizations, and grass-root art movements that may not fit the common tradition of art festivals in the area. Artcrawlfl.com

CATTLE BARON’S BOOTLEGGER BALL

Nov. 6, 6pm at Bunch Ranch. The American Cancer Society Polk County Cattle Baron’s Ball is a one-of-a-kind evening, featuring great food, dancing, an auction, and much more. With your support, the American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer. Find more info on their FB @cattlebaronsballpolk.

LIP SYNC BATTLE: FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS

Nov. 6, 7pm at the Rp Funding Center. The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County will host the Annual Gala and The Lip Sync Battle for the Love of Kids Show. It will feature a formal dinner with special guests State Representative Melony Bell and daughter Ashley Bell Barnett. Afterward, various teams of local community organizations will compete for the Lip Sync Battle for the Love of Kids trophy. Purchase tickets at elcpolk.org.

POSH PURSE PARTY

Pace Polk’s annual Posh Purse Party is from Nov. 9-11. This virtual event will have new purses and experiences in the silent auction. Tickets are only $10, register and receive instructions about when and where you can start bidding on purses and auction items. Proceeds benefit Pace Center for Girls. Ppp21.givesmart.com

WINE, CHOCOLATE & CHEESE

Nov. 12, 5:30-8:30pm in Downtown Winter Haven. Over 30 businesses will host a wine & chocolate or a wine & cheese pairing. Your Tasting Passport will take you from business to business to sample each of the combinations! Live music on the street makes for a great night to explore Downtown with friends. Tasting Passport tickets can be purchased online or at the event (unless sold out). Mainstreetwh.com

SPCA SILVER PAWS

Nov. 13, 6pm at the Hilton Garden Inn Lakeland. SPCA Florida invites you to an evening of entertainment and joy with music, a delicious dinner, life-saving heroes, live drawing of an exciting raffle, silent auction, live auction with Marty Higgenbotham, and surprises. Celebrity Guests: Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd. Purchase tickets in advance at e.givesmart.com/events/niz/

MARGARITA BALL

The Lakeland Margarita Society presents this event on Nov. 20 at the Lake Mirror Promenade. From 8-11pm, guests can enjoy live music, hors d’oeurves, margaritas, and more from local restaurants and bars. This is an annual event to raise donations which are distributed throughout the greater Lakeland area to charity organizations. In addition to purchasing a ticket, guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift (or cash donation) that they can drop off at the entry gate. Purchase tickets at LakelandMargaritaBall.com.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Nov. 27. First created in 2010, it’s always the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop small and bring more holiday shopping to local, small businesses. Check your favorite local stores & boutiques to see how they will be celebrating. Shopping at a family-owned shop or buying something handmade helps to promote more vibrant communities.

MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY

Nov. 28, 1-5pm at the Polk Museum of Art. “Be A Patron” and find quality gifts, handcrafted items, and local finds. Best of all, your purchase will directly support the museum! Members will receive 30% off their purchase, in-store only. Non-Members will receive 15% off their purchase in-store only. More info at polkmuseumofart.org

ORLANDO TOP 10

GROWVEMBER FALL PLANT SALE

Nov. 5 from 2-6pm and Nov. 6 from 8am-4pm at the Mead Botanical Gardens. An annual plant sale featuring high-quality plant vendors and exhibitors, kid’s activities, live music, food trucks, beer garden, and more! Admission and parking are free. Shoppers will find a wide selection of annuals, perennials, house plants, native plants, medicinal plants, and more. 407-622-6323. Meadgarden.org

WINTER GARDEN FALL HERITAGE & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Nov. 6, 8am-10pm in various locations around Downtown Winter Garden celebrating the city’s 118-years. Family-friendly fun including a donut 5k, lawn games, art show, fall-themed activities, five stages of entertainment, tree walking tour, and more. Find details at downtownwg.com.

WILD ART & WINE

Nov. 11, 7-9pm at the Central Florida Zoo. Enjoy a special evening with wine and hors d’oeuvres while painting an animal portrait. Art instructors will guide you to create your own masterpiece as you meet live animals up close. Supplies will be provided. Space is limited. Must be 21 years or older. Register in advance at centralfloridazoo.org.

CHRISTMAS MY WAY

Various days beginning Nov. 12 at the Winter Park Playhouse. Ring in the holidays with classic Sinatra tunes to seasonal favorites Rat Pack Style. This show is complete with 40 popular hits including ‘Fly Me to the Moon,’ ‘That’s Life,’ ‘New York, New York,’ ‘Mistletoe and Holly,’ The Christmas Song,’ ‘Silver Bells,’ ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ & many more! Purchase tickets in advance at cityofwinterpark.org

MAKER FAIRE

Nov. 13 & 14 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Maker Faire is a gathering of curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, and projects. A family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Purchase tickets at makerfaireorlando.com.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

Nov. 13-21 open daily from 10am5pm at the Orlando Musuem of Art. Opening Night Tree Lighting and Gala is Nov. 12 from 6-10pm. Breakfast with Santa is on Nov. 13 & 20. The Festival of Trees showcases magical displays of designer-decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread creations, and beautiful holiday vignettes. Must purchase tickets in advance at omart.org/events/festival_of_trees/

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

Nov. 17, 7:30pm at the Dr. Phillips Center. In his “Delusions of Space Enthusiasts” illustrated talk, Neil deGrasse Tyson will explore the perennial mismatch between collective expectations of where we should be in space by now and the geopolitical, cultural, and economic realities that limit it. Purchase tickets at drphillipscenter.org.

DRAWN TO LIFE

Cirque du Soleil’s new show opening Nov. 18 at Disney Springs. The art of classic Disney animation is reinterpreted through Cirque du Soleil’s innovative acrobatic performances, choreography, and eclectic costuming alongside all-new Disney animation and an original score inspired by timeless Disney music. Purchase tickets in advance at cirquedusoleil.com.

TURKEY TROT 5K

Nov. 25, 8am. A Thanksgiving tradition now in its 32nd year, meet at Lake Eola as over 4,000 runners, joggers, and walkers, many dressed in full costumes or Thanksgiving-themed hats hit the course for a morning of fun to raise money for Meals on Wheels and other Seniors First programs. Register in advance at trackshack.com/event/240.

CLARE & THE CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER

Nov. 27, 7pm at the Dr. Phillips Center. Watch Clare as she travels with the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy on an adventure through various cultures and magical lands to their destination, the Kingdom of Toys. Their journey is filled with dances of ballet, jazz, hip hop, and gospel. Purchase tickets in advance at drphillipscenter.org.

TAMPA TOP 10

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Catch the 2021 Stanley Cup Champions play 8 times in November at the Amalie Arena. The Bolts play the Capitals, Hurricanes, Panthers, Islanders, Devils, Wild, Flyers, and the Kraken. Check the website for additional offers & promotions. Tickets available in most price ranges, purchase in advance at nhl.com/lightning.

THE DOORS

“The Doors: Live At The Bowl ’68 Special Edition” (1968) Rated R will play Nov. 4, 7pm at the Tampa Theatre. On July 5th, 1968, The Doors lit up the stage of the Hollywood Bowl with a legendary performance that is widely considered to be the band’s finest captured on film. This special edition film has been remastered. Purchase tickets in advance atTampatheatre.org.

SCIENCE AFTER DARK

Nov. 5, 6-9pm at MOSI in Tampa. Science fans ages 18+ use your knowledge of physics and engineering at the Science After Dark: Carnival of Games event. Create simple machines that will bring you to victory. Enjoy light appetizers, beer & wine samplings, Play Beat Saber using the Oculus Rift, enjoy adult liquid nitrogen ice cream, interactive labs, and more! Purchase tickets at mosi.org.

ST. PETE RUN FEST

Nov. 12-14. The 3-day festival is anchored by distance running events Regenexx Half Marathon, Rollin’ Oats 10K, Outback 5K, 3 Challenges & Humana Kids Races. Also features live music, craft beer from Green Bench, hard seltzer from 3 Daughters, Mermosa wines, Outback Steakhouse and healthy organics from Rollin’ Oats Market & Cafe. More information and registration at stpeterunfest.org.

ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO

Nov. 13, 10am-6pm at the Tampa Convention Center. This traveling event showcases all things weird. Vendors will have taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, creepy clothing, and more. odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com

BUILD YOUR OWN BOUQUET

Nov. 18, 6-8pm at Armature Works in Tampa. Join The Roaming Petal to build the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. Sip wine and have fun creating while experts walk you through building a beautiful fall bouquet that you can keep for yourself or give as a gift. Please register in advance at armatureworks.com.

TAMPA BAY HOLIDAY MARKET

Nov. 20 & 21 10am-5pm at the Coliseum in St. Pete. Presented by the Tampa Bay Times. Local vendors will be offering everything you need to get in the holiday spirit. Start your holiday shopping early with unique handmade gifts, holiday decor, food, apparel, accessories, and more! Free admission. tampabay.com/expos/ holiday-market/

THE TABLE IN THE PARK

Nov. 20, 6pm at Curtis Hixon Park. An elegant outdoor community dinner to support eMerge Career Collaborative, MacDonald Training Center’s innovative post-secondary vocational education opportunity for people with disabilities. This is a night of gratitude and support for people with disabilities. Purchase tickets in advance, VIP available for additional charge at macdonaldcenter.org.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village goes from Nov. 25 - Dec. 26 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. Features a million lights, 2-mile drivethrough holiday light display with a walking route to Santa’s Village. Displays are themed to Florida and traditional winter holidays representing Christmas, Hanukkah, & Kwanzaa. Purchase tickets at hillsboroughcountyfair. com/festival-of-lights.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nov. 30, 7pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. An all new production of the classic Charles Dickens’ tale. This new adaptation has a heavy dose of humor with the music of 26 traditional carols woven throughout the show. It’s the perfect way to begin the holiday season. Purchase tickets in advance, pre-show party packages available at rutheckerdhall.com.