Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Lakeland Calendar

LAKELAND, FL — With Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in Lakeland to attend.

Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of holiday light shows, parades, fairs and festivals to attend in Lakeland Here are some to consider:

Lakeland Christmas Parade

• When: Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Lakeland, leaving from the RP Funding Center
• What: This annual parade kicks off with a fireworks display over Lake Mirror. It includes floats, marching bands, and decorated trailers, and ends with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

First Friday Holiday Spectacular

• When: Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Lakeland along Kentucky Avenue and at Munn Park
• What: This monthly event takes on a holiday theme for December with a car show, a Makers Market, and other special happenings.

Bethlehem at Lakes Church

• When: Dec. 5 and 7, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Where: Downtown campus, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland
• What: This walkable experience features a replica of how Bethlehem might have looked around Christ’s birth.

Jingle Mingle Christmas Market

• When: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: RP Funding Center
• What: Food, gifts and crafts will be available to purchase at this third annual event.

Holiday Festival

• When: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Dobbins Park, Lakeland
• What: There will be food, music, games, the Trolley Train and visits with Santa.

Flight Before Christmas

• When: Dec. 6, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Where: Florida Air Museum
• What: Airplanes are the star of the show as you walk through a maze of twinkling lights and enjoy warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and cookies. Also, you’ll have a chance to get a selfie with Santa.

Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Jog

• When: Dec. 13, race starts at 7:30 a.m.
• Where: Cleveland Heights Golf Course, Lakeland
• What: Festive attire is encouraged for this race. A Reindeer Dash Kids’ Fun Run also takes place at 8:15 a.m.

Lakeland Menorah Lighting

• When: Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Lake Ashton
• What: Chabad of Lakeland hosts this grand menorah lighting with music, menorahs and candles, and latkes and donuts.

Hanukkah Party

• When: Dec. 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Where: Temple Emanuel, 600 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland
• What: There will be dinner with latkes and games for the kids. Bring a menorah or candles.

“The Nutcracker” Performance

• When: Dec. 20-21
• Where: RP Funding Center
• What: This classic story is presented by Florida Dance Arts.

Santa’s Super Gift Show

• When: Dec. 20-21
• Where: RP Funding Center
• What: Vintage and modern toys, comics, retro games and art are available for sale at this collector fest. Meet Scott Schwrz from “A Christmas Story” on Sunday.

As you plan your calendar, here are some key dates to consider:

• Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods, begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and continues until sundown on Dec. 22. The dates vary every year.

• Christmas, of course, is always Dec. 25.

• Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration primarily held in the United States to honor African heritage and African-American culture, is observed from Dec. 26-Jan. 1, culminating with gift-giving and a lavish feast. The dates of this holiday do not change.