Upcoming Events

NOVEMBER 2022 C A L E N D A R

Get Your Listing in the Calendar

Email Listings to: tracey@todayandtonight.com

Info must be received by the 23rd of the Month Prior to Publication. Events will be included as space allows.

Arts, Crafts, Festivals & Expos

NOV 10 – Lakeland Food Truck Rally.

Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally brings food trucks to Munn Park on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Come on out to Downtown Lakeland and enjoy a variety of Florida food trucks and their delicious cuisine. 20 plus food trucks come together each month and park on the streets surrounding beautiful Munn Park. Thurs, 6-9 pm. (next events: Dec 8, Jan 12)

NOV 12 – Honey Bee Festival.

Bartow’s annual Craft Fair includes a Honey Bee Festival thanks to a partnership between Main Street Bartow and Ridge Beekeepers Association. Approximately 100 vendors offering a wide variety of handmade, all-season crafts, and honey and honey products will be featured. A pumpkin sale by the Young Farmers & Ranchers will also be included, as well as produce and plant sales. Food will be available for purchase from vendors on the street as well as from Bartow’s downtown restaurants. An open car show will also be a part of the event, as well as Bartow’s monthly Antique Market. Located W Main St, Bartow. Sat, 9-4 pm.

NOV 12 & 13 – Bartow Chalk Walk

Festival. Rescheduled from Oct due to Hurricane Ian. Kids chalk activities. Hosted by Main Street Bartow. Food trucks, entertainment. Artists creating art on sidewalks Saturday and judging/awards on Sunday. Same day as the Honey Bee Festival. Located at Ft. Blount Park Downtown, Bartow. Sat & Sun, 9-4 pm. NOV 15– Tasty Tuesday. Third Tuesday of every month. 10 tastes from downtown bars, restaurants, and sweet shops. New offerings every month. Tasty Tuesdays are a super fun way to experience multiple Downtown restaurants all in one night! You get hearty sample sizes with each ticket and move from place to place at your own pace! Tastings begin at 4:30pm and end at 9pm. Purchase your ticket package from LDDA. Tickets come in packets of 10 for $25. (Additional packs may be purchased in increments of $5 which is 2 tickets). Tues, 4:30-9 pm. Cost - $25 for 10 tastes. https://ldda.square.site/product/ tasty-tuesday-tickets/31?cs=true&cst=custom

NOV 17 - Wine, Chocolate and

Cheese. An annual event hosted by Main Street Winter Haven in Downtown! Over 30 downtown 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 while enjoying great wine & bites. Tasting tickets can be purchased online or at the event. Tickets $25 (adv), $30 (day of, if available). Event checkin will be on the Southeast corner of Central Park - Downtown Winter Haven. Thurs, 5:30-8:30 pm. Tickets available at: https://centralfloridatix. com/events/wine-chocolate-andcheese-downtown-11-17-2022

NOV 18 – Bartow’s Magic on Main

Street. Special holiday themed Friday Fest with launching of holiday lights. Food, Vendors, Cars, Entertainment. Santa at the History Center from 4-6 pm w/reservations only! And from 6:30-9 pm on Central Ave. Located downtown Bartow. Fri, 6-9 pm. Contact Main Street Bartow for more info.

NOV 19 – Haven Holiday Market. Largest holiday festival/market in downtown. More than 150 vendors with handmade arts, crafts, vintage, gourmet/ cooking, home baked goods, book signing, nonprofit orgs, kids fun area, food trucks, live music, and much more! This will be the perfect venue and place to get your Christmas Holiday shopping done. Also, the community will have the opportunity to meet several local authors and purchase their books. Located downtown at Central Park, Winter Haven. Sat, 10-4 pm. HavenHolidayMarket. com

DEC 1 – 41st Annual Lakeland

Christmas Parade. Presented by City of Lakeland and Junior League of Greater Lakeland. This year’s theme: Christmas Past, Present and Future. Fireworks display over Lake Mirror at 7 pm will start the festivities! The parade will leave the RP Funding Center at 7 pm and make its way down Lemon Street twisting and turning through Downtown Lakeland. Be sure to keep an eye out for very special guests...Santa & Mrs. Claus! More info at: http://www.jlgl.org

DEC 2 – December First Friday. Head to Downtown Lakeland on the first Friday of every month for First Friday; new theme each month. This month is the Hometown Holiday. Downtown shops and restaurants will be open late. Enjoy goodies, giveaways, and discounts from local business exhibitors. Shop in the Makers Market, which features local artists and creators, and check out the Classy Car Show on Main St. First Friday is a family-friendly event held in the streets of Downtown Lakeland between Lemon Street and Oak Street along Kentucky Ave. and Main St. Downtown Lakeland, Fri 6-9 pm. DowntownLKLD.com

DEC 3 – 33rd Annual Carols in the Park.

Main Street Winter Haven is thrilled to announce our 33rd Annual Carols in the Park presented by Citizens Bank and Trust! Enjoy artisans, specialty food vendors, and local choral groups have gathered in Downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park to kick off the holiday season. This event has become a tradition for multiple generations, with a special Candy Cane Corner for children of all ages! Kids will enjoy FREE pictures with Santa Claus, a take-home holiday craft, and a bounce house…among other fun activities! For more info, please contact us at bailey@mainstreetwh.com or give us a call at 863.295.9422. MainStreetWH.com

DEC 9 – Bartow’s Magical Illumination

Christmas Parade. Begins at Mosaic Park at 6 pm continues to Broadway and Main Street traveling east. Fri, 6-9 pm.

Markets, Antique Fairs & Car Shows

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb

Market – Saturdays. We have an exceptional variety of local vendors who offer fresh produce, seafood, pastries, breads, desserts, local honey, artisans, and crafts, to name a few. We are part of the FAB (Fresh Access Bucks) program that assists those in the SNAP/EBT program by encouraging healthy behaviors by making fresh, local produce more affordable and accessible to SNAP customers. Stop by the Market Information Booth for more details! Located N. Kentucky Ave, Lakeland. Sat, 8 am-1 pm.

Winter Haven Farmers Market –

Saturdays. Shop locally grown food, artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. Located across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven. Sat 9 am-1 pm.

NOV 13 - Second Sunday Artisan

Market. Every second Sunday of the month, enjoy a variety of Florida based businesses selling a variety of hand-made items. Located Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center, Lakeland, Sun, 12-5 pm. www.shoplakesidevillage.net

NOV 17 - Lake Wales 3rd Thursday

Market. The boutique market will feature a variety of produce, artisan food vendors, plants, a pinch of crafts and a mind-blowing food truck. This market is within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Located Stuart Avenue in the parking lot near downtown’s new Gillian Fazio mural in Lk Wales. Thurs, 4-7 pm.

Concerts & Theatre

NOV 10 – “God Bless the

USA” Concert. Presented by the Symphony Guild of Winter Haven. Enjoy a patriotic concert performed by the Brass Heart Band. Wear your Red, White & Blue colors for support! Concessions available by Obscure Wine Company. Free admission for active military and veterans with ID. Located at Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven. Thurs, 7 pm. SymphonyGuildofWinterHaven.org

NOV 11, 18 & DEC 10 – Concert

Under the Stars at Bok. Three concerts are booked for this year’s season: Nov 11 is “An Evening with Hayes Carll”, Nov 18 is “An Evening with Willie Watson” and Dec 10 is “Holiday Edition with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Brass”. Located at the Oval Lawn at Bok Tower Gardens, Lk Wales. Concerts start at 7 pm. $35 members/$45 non-members (in advance). $50 day of. BokTowerGardens.org

NOV 12 – Stevie Nicks Experience

Tribute Band. Performing poolside. Located at Balmoral Bar & Grill at Balmoral Resort in Haines City. Sat, 8-10 pm. Cost - $25. BalmoralBarAndGrill.com

NOV 17 – A Neil Diamond Tribute

Dinner Show. Ticket includes dinner. Located at Balmoral Event Center, Balmoral Resort, Haines City. Thurs, 7-10 pm. Cost - $45. Tickets available at CentralFloridaTix.com

NOV 19 - Cirque Dreams Holidaze. A brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. With an original music score, twists on holiday classics sung live, and with new sets, scenery, and storylines, this ultimate holiday gift for the entire family is sure to put a twinkle in your eye! Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 7:30 pm (doors at 6:30 pm). Cost - $35, $46, $57, $68, $111 plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com

NOV 27 – A Christmas Carol. A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of Holiday joy. Ebenezer Scrooge, that most unrepentant and miserly of fellows, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Present, and Future. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sun, 6 pm (doors at 5 pm). Cost - $44, $51, $58 plus parking. RPFundingCenter. com

DEC 2 – Chris D’ Elia Live. Comedian Chris D’Elia has become one of the most-in-demand performers in comedy. His highly successful podcast “Congratulations With Chris D’elia” has been a mainstay on iTunes’ comedy podcast charts since its debut in February 2017. He is also a co-star on “The King And The Sting And The Wing” with Brendan Schuab. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Fri, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm). Cost - $49.50, $60.50, $71.50, $115, $135, $175 plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com (18+ show)

DEC 6 – Ballet Magnificat! Most Incredible

Christmas. An exciting new Broadway-style contemporary ballet that tells the story of a town’s contest to find the most extraordinary and incredible thing about the Christmas season. Contestants entertain the audience with loveable traditions, songs that capture the spectacle of the season, and reflections on the first Christmas. Set to heartwarming familiar Christmas tunes from around the world, the evening’s contest comes to a close and a winner is declared! Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Tues, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm). Cost - $25, $31, $42 plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com

DEC 8 – Christmas Dinner Drag Show. It’s time to celebrate and eat a wonderful dinner and enjoy the show. You won’t want to miss Gabrielle Fearce, Charlotte Diamond and of course Trishelle put on a Christmas Extravaganza. Ticket includes dinner. Located at Balmoral Event Center, Balmoral Resort, Haines City. Thurs, 7-10 pm. Cost - $45. Tickets available at CentralFloridaTix.com (21+ to attend)

DEC 10 & 11 – The Nutcracker.

Presented by Florida Dance Arts. An evening of magic, whimsy, and adventure as Clara journeys to the land of sweets in the classic story of The Nutcracker. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 7 pm & Sun, 2 pm (doors at 6 pm). Cost - $31, $42 plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com

Charity Events & Golf Tournaments

NOV 9 – Paint & Pour. Benefit for the Learning Resource Center of Polk County. A lively in-person or virtual painting workshop to raise funds for LRC and scholarships for LRC students. Prominent Polk County artist David Collins will lead participants in a fun, paint-along lesson. This event will be held in-person and virtually. Participants will be given supplies as well as a catered charcuterie board and bottle of wine. Charcuterie boards provided by Sabrina’s Delicacies. The cost is $100/person, $150/couple or $250 for a deluxe couple’s ticket. Located at The Well, 114 E. Parker St, Lakeland or via ZOOM. Wed, 6-8:30 pm.

NOV 10 – Celebrity Lip Sync Battle.

Event will feature six local celebrities, battling against each other through two rounds of epic, lip sync performances! The event is a benefit for public education in Winter Haven through contributions to two nonprofits: The Winter Haven Public Education Partnership and Cypress Junction Montessori. Located at Nora Mayo Hall, Winter Haven. Thurs, 5:30-9 pm. Tickets: https:// centralfloridatix.com/events/2022-celebrity-lip-sync-battle-benefitting-public-education-in-winter-haven-11-10-2022

NOV 14 – Fore the Kids Golf

Tournament. Benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. 2-person Scramble. Limited to 100 players per course! Enjoy raffles, Food, Drink and Prizes! Your choice of Club to play at: The Club at Eaglebrooke & The Country Club of Winter Haven. Monday, Registration is at 11 am, NOV 16 – Angels Among Us. Annual benefit for Girls, Inc. The Event includes wonderful food, great auction items, and a cash bar. Located at the Venue 650, Winter Haven. Wed, 6-8:30 pm. Tickets start at $65. https://www.facebook.com/events/495899075520857

NOV 17 – Winter Haven Kettle Cookoff.

Featuring some of the BEST Local Restaurants serving up their Tastiest Dishes! With Special Guest Sheriff Grady Judd. All proceeds go directly to the local mission of the Salvation Army, to help provide support for our neighbors in need. Confirmed Restaurants/Caterers for the event include: Carrabba’s, Elite Catering, Smokin Ox BBQ, Ovation, Bistro The Catering Company of Central FL, Terri Lobb Catering, Olive Garden, Mediterranean Fresh Grill, Tallulah’s Table & more! Ticket includes a tasting with each vendor. Located AdventHealth Fieldhouse, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. Thurs, 6-8 pm. Cost - $25 ($35 at door).

NOV 18 to 20 – Festival of Trees. Ridge

Art Association is restarting this event for Winter Haven and Polk County. Grove Roots Brewing will be the venue and the majority of the event will be in the Packing House. Friday night kicks off with a Preview Cocktail Party hosted by Junior League of Greater Winter Haven. VIP tickets $50, General Admission $30: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/jlogwh/ event/858228?fbclid=IwAR1UyzXnjSYte2Npp3VZtLUSTlguMhhb5ey4mrB5EfCjFoHTFqoEVZ3T6dQ In addition to Ridge Art the following organizations will participate and benefit as well; PEO Chapter BN, Lake Wales Art Council, Your Polk County HUB, Meals on Wheels, East Polk County Association of Realtors, Resource Center for Women, Junior League of Winter Haven and Garden Club of Winter Haven. There will be 18-20 beautifully decorated holiday trees, as well as a Gala Friday Night opening party, Santa’s Secret Shoppe, Gingerbread Village, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Teddy Bear Tea, Sweet Shoppe and Wreath and Decoration shop. Located Grove Roots, 3rd St, Winter Haven. Check Facebook for updates: www.facebook.com/groups/81232086621

NOV 19 – Annual Margarita Ball.

Complimentary Margaritas, Beer, and Hors d’oeuvres! Live music by MPIRE. Must be 21 to attend. Casual outdoor event. Bring your unwrapped children’s gift valued at $15 or more, yourself, and your dancing’ shoes. Raising money and gifts for greater Lakeland local charities. Tickets available online. Located Lake Mirror Promenade, Lakeland. Sat, 8-11 pm. https://lakelandmargaritaball.com/

NOV 19 to DEC 31 – 4th Annual Holiday

Tree Decorating Contest. Kickoff event is Nov 19 from 5-7 pm w/ Santa, Hot Chocolate and Carolers. Cast your vote for your favorite tree at the RP Funding Center. This is a fundraiser for the UNITED WAY. Open to the public. Trees are in the corridor. Open for viewing business hours 9-5 pm. RPFundingCenter.com for more info.

NOV 26 – Junior League of Greater Winter

Haven 3rd Annual Clay Shoot. 50 targets, 10 stations. Registration at 9 am, Shot gun start at 9:30 am, lunch and awards at 12 pm. Located Polk Sporting Clays, 4902 Firetower Rd, Haines Sat, 9-1 pm. Jlgwh.org

DEC 6 – Santa Paws. Kick off the holidays with a cocktail party to benefit the Humane Society of Polk County. Ticket includes: 1 complimentary holiday-inspired cocktail, appetizers, 5 entries to premium raffles, live music with Brass Heart Band. Cash bar. Sponsorships available. Located Jensen’s Corner Bar, Winter Haven. Tues, 6-9:30 pm. Tickets - $50. Contact Tracey@todayandtonight. com or (863) 221-8505 for more info. PolkNoKIll.org/events for tickets.

Sports

NOV 11– Lakeland Magic vs Austin

Spurs. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Fri, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter. com

NOV 12 – Lakeland Magic vs Austin

Spurs. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter. com

NOV 25 – Lakeland Magic vs

Mexico City Capitanes. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Fri, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter.com

NOV 26 – Lakeland Magic vs

Mexico City Capitanes. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter.com

DEC 9 – Lakeland Magic vs Rio Grande Valley

Vipers. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Fri, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter. com

DEC 10 – Lakeland Magic vs Rio

Grande Valley Vipers. Basketball. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 7 pm (doors at 6 pm) RPFundingCenter.com

DEC 11 – Ironman 70.3 Florida. Located Lake Eva Park, Haines City. Sun, All Day. Florida70.3@ironman.com