Things to do: Lakeland Christmas parade opens a great weekend for entertainment in Polk

Paul Catala
·3 min read
The annual Lakeland Christmas Parade is Thursday, with a different route than years past.
The annual Lakeland Christmas Parade is Thursday, with a different route than years past.

Your Thanksgiving dinner should be well-digested by now, Black Friday is over and even though you’re probably in holiday gift-shopping mode, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t time for some fun.

As the season keeps rolling along, so do events across Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Connersville and communities across Polk County.

So, if you’re looking for a bit of respite from the holiday rush, here are a few ideas for a bit of diversion.

Artful Bowl 2023

A singer dressed as Diva Plavalaguna performs the aria from "The Fifth Element" at Platform Art's Artful Bowl in Lakeland in 2014.
A singer dressed as Diva Plavalaguna performs the aria from "The Fifth Element" at Platform Art's Artful Bowl in Lakeland in 2014.

CORE Wealth Advisors Inc. is presenting Artful Bowl 2023, the annual fundraising party for Platform Art, a nonprofit cultural arts organization, takes place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. It’s a night of art, film, fashion, sound and performance hosted at the home of Tom and Paula Mims. Tickets are $150 Artful Bowl individual; $275 Artful Bowl Host & Membership individual; $550 Artful Bowl Host & Membership couple. For information and tickets, go to https://www.platformart.org and click on the Artful Bowl poster. Or call 863-838-2262.

Lakeland Christmas Parade "Christmas in Candy Land"

Lakeland officials have shortened the modified route for the city's 42 annual Christmas Parade, shown above in bright green, due to anticipated expenses of safeguarding Lake Morton and public safety concerns raised for the city's beloved swans.
Lakeland officials have shortened the modified route for the city's 42 annual Christmas Parade, shown above in bright green, due to anticipated expenses of safeguarding Lake Morton and public safety concerns raised for the city's beloved swans.

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland will hold the annual Christmas parade Thursday. The parade will run a modified downtown Lakeland loop; it will not circle Lake Mirror this year because of construction on Lake Avenue and Orange Street. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with fireworks over Lake Mirror. The parade leaves the RP Funding Center, traveling east along Lemon Street and turns left on Tennessee Avenue then right on Main, traveling along the southern edge of Munn Park. It then takes a right on Massachusetts Avenue this year and travels down to Lake Morton, turning right and going about 600 feet to Walnut Street. It turns right again on Tennessee Avenue, then left on Orange Street to head back to the RP Funding Center. The special guests will be Santa and Mrs. Claus. For information, see www.lakelandgov.net/departments/communications/christmas-parade or email ChristmasParade@jlgl.org

Jingle Mingle Christmas Market

Babes Doing Business, market hosts for female-owned businesses in Central Florida, is hosting this pop-up market at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday. There will be more than 80 vendors indoors selling gift items from boutiques to candles to wood works and lots of other items to help you finish your Christmas lists. Admission and parking are free. For information, go to www.rpfundingcenter.com and see the events calendar, or call 863-834-8100.

The Knotty G's Duo

Chuck and Gill Knott, a North Carolina duo known as the Knotty G's Duo, will bring soulful Americana to Lakeland’s Swan Brewing on Sunday.
Chuck and Gill Knott, a North Carolina duo known as the Knotty G's Duo, will bring soulful Americana to Lakeland’s Swan Brewing on Sunday.

Made up of Chuck and Gill Knott, this Asheville, North Carolina, duo will bring soulful Americana to Lakeland’s Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., for a free show from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The duo is regionally known for their upbeat tunes, slowed-down ballads and what they call “a few beaten-battered-deep-fried covers.” For information, see www.facebook.com/swanbrewingco/ or call 863-703-0472.

The Lakeland Concert Band Christmas Concert

The all-volunteer Lakeland Concert Band plays a free holiday concert Sunday at Florida Southern College.
The all-volunteer Lakeland Concert Band plays a free holiday concert Sunday at Florida Southern College.

The Lakeland Concert Band under the direction of Vic Larsen provides music entertainment to Lakeland and surrounding communities. The all-volunteer band presents a free holiday-oriented concert from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Florida Southern College’s Branscomb Auditorium, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland. For information, see www.lakelandconcertband.org or call 813-716-2577.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Top things to do: Lakeland Christmas parade, Artful Bowl and music