Lakeland this month: Color Wave murals to Nov. 14, Tasty Tuesday Nov. 17, Cirque Dreams Nov. 19, the craft bazaar Nov. 28 and the Christmas parade Dec. 3.

Last checked Nov. 7, 2026. Rebuilt on the 1st of each month; this edition runs Nov. 7 to Dec. 19. Every listing links to the organizer; times and prices are as the organizer published them. For this weekend only, see things to do this weekend; for galleries, theater, concerts and films, see arts and exhibitions this month.

Lakeland’s first mural festival is painting downtown walls through Nov. 14, and the month runs into the holiday season with Cirque Dreams on Nov. 19, the Munn Park craft bazaar on Nov. 28, the Christmas parade on Dec. 3 and Snowfest on Dec. 5. Most downtown events are run by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, whose events calendar has the full list.

Updated Nov. 7: past dates dropped; Frozen now runs to Dec. 20; Light Up BSP from Dec. 18, Bonnet Springs Adventure Day on Nov. 11, Tasty Tuesday Dec. 15 and the symphony’s Carols Dec. 19 added. The Veterans Day parade still has no 2026 date from the city; see our Veterans Day page.

Good to know

  • Parking downtown: free on weekends and after 5 p.m., the LDDA says. On Tasty Tuesday the Main Street garage is free after 3 p.m.
  • Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11: trash pickup does not change, the city’s holiday schedule says.
  • Rain: outdoor events can be canceled for lightning; check the organizer’s page that morning.

This weekend: Nov. 7 and 8

  • Color Wave Mural Festival, through Saturday, Nov. 14. Lakeland’s first mural festival: 11 artists paint 11 walls across downtown, the organizers say.
  • Misery, Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., through Nov. 15: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15. Tickets $24 to $30. Lakeland Community Theatre.
  • Central Florida Food Fest, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Bonnet Springs Park. Ages 21 and up; dishes and drinks cost $6 to $10 each. The park and the Florida Children’s Museum are closed to everyone else all day, the festival says.
  • The Women of Rock Las Vegas Show, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Polk Theatre. Box office.

Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11

Neither the City of Lakeland nor the Polk County Veterans Council had posted a 2026 date for the ceremony and parade on its own site as of Nov. 7, and the LDDA calendar, which carries city events, does not list one. In 2025 they ran on the Saturday before Nov. 11. The date, route and closures will go on our Veterans Day page when the city posts them. Trash pickup does not change for the holiday.

  • Adventure Day at Bonnet Springs Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11: archery along the Nature Pathway near the nature center. Bonnet Springs Park.

Mid-November

  • The Longest Table, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Munn Park. A ticketed community meal; tickets through Eventbrite, the LDDA calendar lists.
  • RideSafe Fall Fest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Bonnet Springs Park, with Lakeland Regional Health. Bring a bike or scooter. Bonnet Springs Park.
  • Tasty Tuesday, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. Ten tickets for $25 buy samples at downtown restaurants; pick them up at Catapult, 502 E. Main St. LDDA.
  • Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Thursday, Nov. 19, RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St. One performance; check the RP Funding Center for the curtain time.
  • Lakeland Symphony Orchestra: American Ingenuity, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St. $60, including a 6 p.m. reception. Lakeland Symphony Orchestra.
  • Nature Discovery Week at Bonnet Springs Park, Nov. 21 to 27, opening with a Kid’s Fishing Clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and archery and building Adventure Days on Nov. 23, 24 and 25. Bonnet Springs Park.
  • Margarita Ball, 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Lake Mirror Promenade. Ages 21 and up; guests bring an unwrapped gift or cash for local charities. The LDDA listed it in April; its new calendar does not carry it, so check with the Lakeland Margarita Society.

Thanksgiving week

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. City Hall is closed Nov. 26 and 27, and Thursday and Friday trash routes move back a day. VISTE’s meal delivery, the runs and what is open are on our Thanksgiving page.

  • Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, Polk Theatre. Box office.
  • Black Friday: Lakeland Square Mall opens 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and is closed Thanksgiving Day. See Black Friday and holiday shopping.
  • Small Business Saturday and the Holiday Craft Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Munn Park: more than 45 local makers and pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free to shop. LDDA.

Early December, to Dec. 19

  • Lakeland Christmas Parade, Thursday, Dec. 3. Fireworks over Lake Mirror at 7 p.m.; road closures from 3:30 p.m., and no chairs on the route before that day, the city says. Details: our Christmas parade page.
  • First Friday: Holiday Spectacular, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with Santa photos and a new 40-foot Christmas tree in Munn Park. LDDA.
  • Snowfest, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Frances Langford Promenade, Lake Mirror, the LDDA calendar lists. See our Snowfest page.
  • Magical Motown Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, RP Funding Center. RP Funding Center.
  • Disney’s Frozen, Lakeland Community Theatre, Dec. 11 to 20; tickets $24 to $30. Lakeland Community Theatre.
  • Holiday Night Market, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, downtown, with more than 150 vendors. LDDA.
  • Tasty Tuesday, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, downtown restaurants; tickets at Catapult, 502 E. Main St. LDDA.
  • Light Up BSP, Bonnet Springs Park, Dec. 18 to 31: light displays, holiday music and performers, the park says.
  • Lakeland Symphony Orchestra: Carols, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. $60 reserved, $30 general admission, students free. Lakeland Symphony Orchestra.

More holiday events, from light displays to the Jingle Bell Jog, are on holiday lights and Christmas events; the Nutcracker and holiday concerts are on Nutcracker and holiday shows.

Every week

  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, on North Kentucky Avenue from Lemon Street to Oak Street, rain or shine. About 125 to 150 vendors on a typical Saturday. Market page. See Lakeland farmers markets.
  • Polk Theatre films, classic and family films most Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays in November; the list is on our arts page.
  • Golden Ridge Groves Fall Fest, a corn maze and pumpkin patch in Bartow, weekends through Nov. 22. See fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Related: parks and trails in Lakeland, road construction and closures and downtown Lakeland.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Lakeland in November 2026?

The Color Wave mural festival paints 11 downtown walls through Nov. 14, Misery plays Lakeland Community Theatre through Nov. 15, Tasty Tuesday is Nov. 17 and Cirque Dreams Holidaze is at the RP Funding Center Nov. 19. Small Business Saturday and the Munn Park craft bazaar are Nov. 28.

When is the Lakeland Veterans Day parade in 2026?

Neither the City of Lakeland nor the Polk County Veterans Council had posted a 2026 date on its own site as of Nov. 7. In 2025 the ceremony and parade were on the Saturday before Nov. 11. Our Veterans Day page has the latest.

When is the Lakeland Christmas parade?

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026. Fireworks over Lake Mirror start it at 7 p.m., and road closures begin as early as 3:30 p.m., the City of Lakeland says.

When is the Lakeland farmers market?

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., September through May, on North Kentucky Avenue between Lemon and Oak streets downtown, rain or shine.

Is parking free in downtown Lakeland on weekends?

Yes. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority says downtown parking is free on weekends and after 5 p.m.