Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Lakeland: Santa Visits, Menorah Lighting

LAKELAND, FL — There is no shortage of things to do in Polk County to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Holiday events occurring in Lakeland and surrounding areas include:

12th Annual Festival Of Wreaths

Herald the arrival of the holiday season at the Polk County History Center, 100 E Main St., Bartow, with the 12th annual Festival of Wreaths and silent auction.

The wreaths will be on display until Dec. 13, when high bidders will begin picking up the wreaths to decorate their Polk County homes. The silent auction will take place here: www.polkhistorycenter.org.

Santa At Lakeland Square Mall

Santa has arrived at Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. 98, Lakeland, and will visit with children daily until he returns to the North Pole on Dec. 24.

He is located near Dillard’s daily starting at 11 a.m. Reservations to visit Santa are strongly encouraged. Walk-up visits will be available as space allows throughout the day.

Santa At Lakeside Village

Santa returns to Lakeside Village, 1473 Town Center Drive, for festive free photos with kids.

Santa will be at Lakeside Village on Saturday afternoons for Christmas wishes and keepsake photos. Be sure to bring your own camera.

An appointment is required for your child to visit with Santa at Lakeside Village. Visit the Facebook event page. You should make one appointment per family or group. In an effort to let as many people see Santa as possible, each appointment is limited to around three minutes.

Santa photos will be in a storefront near the roundabout at 1473 Town Center Drive, Lakeland.

Hours are Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here.

'Most Incredible Christmas' Ballet

World-renowned Ballet Magnificat will present "Most Incredible Christmas" Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St., Lakeland.

This Broadway-style contemporary ballet 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. Viewing options include both in person and live stream.

Click here.

Festive Flix

Join Downtown Lakeland for its first Festive Flix, Christmas Edition on Dec. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater on the Frances Langford Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave.

Bring blankets, lawn chairs, favorite snacks (or buy some on-site), and savor the Christmas classic "The Grinch" on the big screen. The event is free to attend, and parking is available at the Lake Mirror Complex. Click here.

Christmas Festival And Live Nativity

Believers Fellowship Church, 5240 N Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, will host a Christmas Festival and Live Nativity Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will feature a free live nativity, hayrides, crafts, hot cocoa, campfire s’mores, cotton candy, popcorn and more. Click here.

Selfies With Santa

Santa Claus and his elves will be in his study at the Polk County History Center in Bartow for “Selfies with Santa” on Dec. 17. Reservations are required. Contact the museum to reserve space at 863-534-4386 or email jaymejamison@polk-county.net.

Handel's 'Messiah' To Be Performed

Come hear the Lakeland Choral Society perform Handel's "Messiah" Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. at the City Central Church on Frank Lloyd Wright Way in Lakeland. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Call City Central Church for details at 863-225-8820. Click here.

Magical Snowy Weekend

Magical Snowy Weekend will take place takes place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Drive, Lakeland.

Snow will fall at the top of each hour.

Click here.

Pet Fest 2022

The Polk County Sheriff's Office will host Pet Fest 2022 Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7115 DeCastro Road, Winter Haven.

There will be free photos with Santa, free adoptions, low-cost dog vaccinations, a crafters market, train rides, a petting zoo and kids' activities.

Click here.

Annual Lakeland SantaCon

The annual Lakeland SantaCon, Lakeland's most festive pub crawl, will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. in downtown Lakeland. Pick up your tasting passport for $25 at the event's kickoff party at Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St., then head downtown for a self-guided tour of Lakeland establishment where there will be costume contests and games.

All proceeds benefit kidsPACK.

Click here.

Ugly Sweater Party & Market

The Emporium Art Collective will host the Ugly Sweater Party & Market Saturday, Dec. 17 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Union Hall, 1023 S Florida Ave., Lakeland.

Shop at booths featuring local artists, makers, bakers and other small businesses in historic Dixieland wearing your ugliest Christmas sweater.

Click here.

Festive Friday

Downtown Lakeland, 117 N Kentucky Ave., Lakeland, will host Festive Friday Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Come shop with locally owned retailers in downtown Lakeland and pick up unique gifts for everyone on your list.

Click here.

Chanukah Lighting Program

Temple Emanuel, 600 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, will host its Chanukah Lighting Program Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Kids and families are asked to think outside the box and create a menorah using any materials they want. In 2016, one family even made a sushi menorah. Bring the finished menorah to the temple to display for the Chanukah Lighting Program. Click here.

Menorah Lighting And Chanukah Festival

Chabad Jewish Center will host a Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Festival at Kryger Park in downtown Lakeland, 108 S Massachusetts Ave., Sunday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Members of the community at large and representatives of the city and county government will enjoy traditional Hanukkah food, carnival games and prizes, magic, balloons, music, face painting, taking a picture with Judah Maccabee and lighting the giant menorah.

There is no charge to attend this event. Menorahs, candles and dreidels will be available to take home. Food will be available for sale including hot dogs, hamburgers, potato latkes, doughnuts, chocolate coins, popcorn, cotton candy and beverages.

For more information, call Chabad Jewish Center 863-608-6012