Lakeland's Snowfest is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m. at Lake Mirror: man-made snow, Santa and train rides. Free with a canned food donation.

Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. The 2026 date, times and place come from the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority’s December calendar, which lists only LDDA and City of Lakeland events; the program comes from the city’s 2025 Snowfest announcement. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Snowfest is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror. The City of Lakeland covers the promenade in man-made snow for one night, with lights, holiday music, Santa and free train rides for kids. Admission is free with a canned food donation.

Know before you go

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
  • Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Where: Frances Langford Promenade, Lake Mirror, 121 S. Lake Ave.
  • Cost: free; bring a can of food
  • Organizer: City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts; City Hall 863-834-6000
  • Listing: downtownlkld.com December calendar

What is at Snowfest

The 2026 calendar entry gives the date, times and place only. The program below is from the city’s 2025 announcement; we will update it when the city posts its 2026 lineup:

  • Man-made snow, lights, seasonal decorations and holiday music along the promenade
  • Santa and Mrs. Claus, with photos in a snow globe
  • Santa’s Workshop, with sweet treats and holiday crafts
  • A book giveaway from the Junior League of Greater Lakeland
  • An artisan market of arts and crafts vendors
  • Food trucks
  • Free train rides for kids

The canned food drive

Admission is free with a canned food donation. The cans and donations go to Senior Orphans and Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE), two groups that serve elderly residents in Lakeland, the city says.

How long it has run

The city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department held its 45th annual Snowfest on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the same place and the same hours. Both the 2025 and 2026 dates fall on the first Saturday in December.

Parking and getting there

The promenade is on the north shore of Lake Mirror, a short walk from Munn Park. Park in a downtown garage or lot and walk; our downtown Lakeland guide and the LDDA parking page list them. The city had not posted a road closure notice for 2026 when we checked; we will add one here if it does.

The Lakeland Christmas parade is two nights earlier, on Thursday, Dec. 3; see our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Frequently asked questions

When is Snowfest 2026 in Lakeland? Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror, according to the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority’s calendar.

How much does Snowfest cost? Admission is free with a canned food donation. The cans go to Senior Orphans and Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).

Is Santa at Snowfest? Yes. Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for photos, and Santa’s Workshop has sweet treats and holiday crafts.

Who runs Snowfest? The City of Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. The 2025 event was the 45th.

What this means for you

  • Bring a can of food per person; it is the price of entry.
  • Come early with small children: the snow, Santa and the train are busiest after dark.
  • Make a night of it downtown: the food trucks are on site, and restaurants are a few blocks away.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events in Lakeland, free things to do and our other annual event pages for the Lake Mirror Classic, SUN ‘n FUN and Mayfaire by-the-Lake.