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Upcoming Events
DECEMBER 2022 C A L E N D A R
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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
DEC 8 – 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: Jan 12, Feb 9)
DEC 9 – Winter Wonderland.
Hosted by City of Winter Haven and Main Street Winter Haven. Tons of Winter activities to enjoy. Meet Santa, Snow Flurries, Christmas Crafts, Food Vendors, and Movie on the Lawn (Elf). Located in Central Park, Downtown Winter Haven. Fri, 5:30-8:30 pm.
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.
DEC 9 & 10, 16 & 17 - Florida Flywheelers Christmas in the
Village. Journey through the acres learning about the village and gazing upon thousands of Christmas lights as they shine in the dark of the night. Take a tractor ride to five fun stops; the first to receive candy canes; the second to take photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus; the third for cookies and hot chocolate; and the final for cider, eggnog, cookies and music. Admission is canned good, toys, monetary donations or all three! Located 7000 Avon Park Cut Off Rd, Ft Meade. Fri & Sat, 6-9 pm. FloridaFlyWheelers.org/events
DEC 10 – Mistletoe Market.
Hosted by Main Street Bartow. Holiday gifts, crafts, jewelry, Candles, Music, Food and Santa (10-3 pm). Located in downtown Bartow. Saturday, 10-4 pm.
DEC 10 –5th Annual
Holiday Toy Drive. Hosted by Old Man Frank’s. Bring an unwrapped toy to help local children in need. Located at Old Man Frank’s, 1005 S Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven 33880.
DEC 10 – Balmoral Christmas
& Brunch. Enjoy an allday Christmas event: Pictures with Santa, Brunch, Christmas Cookie Decorating, Entertainment by Davenport School of the Arts, Live Music w/Christmas Band. Brunch tickets available online at CentralFloridaTix.com. Located at Balmoral Bar & Grill, Balmoral Resort, Haines City. Sat, 12:3010 pm. BalmoralBarAndGrill. com for details and schedule.
DEC 10 to 31 – Holidays
at LEGOLAND. Celebrate your holidays the LEGOLAND® way! This jolly time of year features a combination of seasonal shows, special treats, twinkling lights and more. These events are included in general admission – no extra ticket required! Enjoy an extra hour of festive fun with an 8 p.m. closing on Dec. 26-31, when nightly Kids’ New Year’s Eve fireworks return on each night! Located in Winter Haven. Weekends in Dec. Legoland.com/Florida
DEC 11 – 5th Annual Christmastime Celebration. Photos w/Santa, Toy Drive for the Mission of Winter Haven, Raffles, Live Music (2-6 pm). Located Tanners Lakeside, Winter Haven. Sun, 1-6 pm.
DEC 16 – Starry, Starry
Night. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the night sky and telescope technology with local astronomers, encounter nocturnal animals, and listen to a special “starry night” themed Carillion concert. We are excited to welcome esteemed astronaut Nicole Stott to the gardens for a keynote presentation on space flight and art. Located at Bok Tower Gardens, Lk Wales. Fri, 5:3010 pm. Included in admission. BokTowerGardens.org
DEC 20– 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
JAN 6 – December First Friday.
Head to Downtown Lakeland on the first Friday of every month for First Friday; new theme each month. This month is Three Kings Celebration. 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
JAN 21 & 22 – Lakeland
Gun Show. Presented by Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Center. 54 years of shows. Hundreds of tables. Best show in Florida. Buy, Sell, Trade. Concealed weapons classes available. Free parking. Located Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus, 4175 Medulla Rd, Lakeland. Sat, 9-5 pm and Sun, 9-3 pm. Lakelandgunclub. com
JAN 28 – Customer Appreciation Party & Oyster
Eating Contest. Enjoy drink specials, tastings, giveaways, live music. Register by 1 pm, Contest starts at 2 pm. Located at Old Man Frank’s, 1005 S Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven 33880.
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.
DEC 11 - Second Sunday
Artisan Market. Every second Sunday of the month, enjoy a variety of Florida based businesses selling a variety of handmade items. Located Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center, Lakeland, Sun, 12-5 pm. www. shoplakesidevillage.net
DEC 15 - 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
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
DEC 11 – Concert Under the
Stars at Bok: Holiday. The Holiday Edition with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Brass. Located at the Oval Lawn at Bok Tower Gardens, Lk Wales. Sun, Concerts start at 6 pm. $35 members/$45 non-members (in advance). $50 day of. BokTowerGardens.org
DEC 21 – Yuletide at Bok. A solstice celebration with the Byrne Bros, Luminaries in the Gardens and a moonlight carillon recital. Located at the Oval Lawn at Bok Tower Gardens, Lk Wales. Wed, 5-7:30 pm. Included in admission. BokTowerGardens.org
JAN 6 – Australian Bee Gees.
Tribute to the Bee Gees. It’s Saturday Night Fever every night with The Australian Bee Gees Show- Tribute to the Bee Gees. One of the most successful and adored acts in musical history is recreated on the Vegas stage in a 75-minute multi-media concert event. You’ll hear hits like, “Staying Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep is Your Love,” and “Jive Talkin.” Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Fri, 6:30 pm (doors at 5:30 pm). Cost - $44.50, $53.50, $77.50 plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com
Charity Events & Golf Tournaments
DEC 1 to 31 – 4th Annual Holiday Tree Decorating
Contest. 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.
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.
JAN 27 – 12th Annual Shooter Showdown Sporting
Clays Open. Hosted by Winter Haven Hospital Foundation. Check-in 11:30 am, Lunch 12 pm, Shooting 1 pm, Awards/ Reception 3:30 pm. Located Polk Sporting Clays, 5000 Firetower Rd, Haines City. Fri, 11:30-5 pm. To reserve a team or for sponsorship info: whhfoundation@baycare.org or (863) 292-4138. WHHFoundation.org
Sports
DEC 11 – Ironman 70.3
Florida. Located Lake Eva Park, Haines City. Sun, All Day. Florida70.3@ironman.com
DEC 15 – Lakeland Magic vs Birmingham Squadron.
DEC 16 – Lakeland Magic vs
DEC 17 – Florida Tropics vs
Utica City FC. Indoor Soccer. Located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. Sat, 5 pm (doors at 4 pm) RPFundingCenter.com
DEC 21 – Florida Tropics vs
DEC 23 – Florida Tropics vs
DEC 27 – Lakeland Magic vs Westchester Knicks.
DEC 29 – Lakeland Magic vs Westchester Knicks.
DEC 30 – Florida Tropics vs Chihuahua Savage.
JAN 13 – Thunder Championship Live Pro
Wrestling. Located at Tanners Lakeside, Winter Haven. Doors 7 pm, Bell 8 pm.
