The new year is upon us, and it’s the time of the year when we are all making our new year resolutions. Make a resolution to get out and explore some of the great events that Central Florida has to offer, whether you are a resident or are planning a visit in 2015. Here are 30 events to mark on your calendar this new year.
JANUARY
Lake Alfred Bluegrass Bash
January 10 at Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve in Lake Alfred
Celebrate the City of Lake Alfred’s 100 year anniversary with plenty of entertainment including six bluegrass bands.
28th Annual Antique Engine & Tractor Swamp Meet
January 14-17 at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club in Ft. Meade
The 28th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Swamp Meet will feature antique tractors and cars, hit and miss engines, food, a flea market, parades, and the antique village.
Famous Tate Pro Rodeo Classic
January 16-17 at The Lakeland Center
Grab your boots and spurs for a night of fun for the whole family with this extravaganza that includes Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Women’s Professional Barrel Racing, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, WPRA Southeast Circuit Jr. Barrel Racing Finals.
44th Annual Alafia River Rendezvous
January 23-24 in Homeland
Over 1,000 adults and hundreds of children establish a pre-1840 camp site on the Florida Frontiersmen club property. This event draws over one hundred traders and thousands of visitors and school children.
Lakeland Pig Fest
January 30-31 at Tigertown in Lakeland
An annual Florida State Barbeque Championship
It’s the 19th annual year of this Lakeland BBQ contest that includes BBQ vending, live music, a kids play area and more.
FEBRUARY
Smoke on the Water
February 6-7 at in Winter Haven
Barbeque cook-off with great entertainment and prizes
The Annual Budweiser Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition will benefit the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Haines City and will feature more than 80 teams from across the country will compete for the Florida State Grand Champion title.
L.B. Brown Heritage Festival
February 13-15 at L.B. Brown House Museum in Bartow
The 14th Annual L.B. Brown Festival celebrates the life and achievements of Lawrence B. Brown with jazz, gospel and contemporary music, dancers, storytellers, and more.
Mardi Gras Festival
February 14 in Downtown Lake Wales
This fun annual event features a parade of festive floats and Krewes, food vendors, arts and crafts and children’s activities.
Pancake Festival
February 14 at TigerTown in Lakeland
The 57th annual event features fun activities and community information for children and families, breakfast including sausage, juice and pancakes!
Tiger BBQ
February 26 at TigerTown in Lakeland
Join the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce in welcoming back our Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium while enjoying steaks, BBQ ribs, sausage, shrimp, corn on the cob and more at this family-friendly event.
Ribs on the Ridge
February 27-28 at Lake Eva Park in Haines City
Florida BBQ Association sanctioned contest and entertainment
This growing event has been the Florida BBQ Association’s largest competition for the past three years; with approximately 100 teams competing.
MARCH
RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational
February 13-March 31 held at venues throughout Polk County
More than 200 college baseball teams from major conferences like the Big East, Big Ten and other major programs play 800 games throughout the month in Polk County.
Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival
February 28-March 1 on the shores of Lake Wailes in Lake Wales
Juried show with more than 100 exhibitors, food, entertainment and children’s activities
The Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival has a 43 year old tradition of celebrating and exhibiting quality works of art by fine artists and artisans with up to 100 artists competing for more than $30,000 in awards.
Detroit Tigers Spring Training 2015
March 2-April 3 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland
The 2015 spring season marks the Tigers 79th season at TigerTown in Lakeland, extending the longest-standing relationship between a major league team and a current Spring Training host city.
MIDFLORIDA Spring Obsession
March 14 at in Lakeland
The annual MidFlorida Spring Obsession, Garden and Art Festival is a free family day of activities and exploring the many flowers and plants for sale, garden presentations,art for the patio and live music.
APRIL
SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In and Expo Presented by FRLA
April 21- 26, 2015 at SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland
Daily airshows, warbirds, ultralights, helicopters, seaplanes and more on display; youth activities and evening entertainment.
The annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland is Florida’s largest event of the year… and is the second largest air show in the United States. Past Fly-ins have featured the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy’s Blue Angels.
MAY
Mayfaire-by-the-Lake
May 9-10 on Lake Morton in Lakeland
One of Florida’s premier outdoor art festivals showcasing about 175 artists.
Begun as a crafts fair on the lawn of the Lakeland Public Library, MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake has grown into one of Florida’s premier outdoor art festivals and is listed among Sunshine Artist magazine’s “Top 100 Best Fine Art Shows.” Mayfaire is a juried show that will feature the work of approximately 165 artists displaying their jewelry, sculptures, paintings and more
JULY
Red, Brick & Boom
July 3-5 at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven
Multi-day celebration of the 4th of July. Special 3-D glasses turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks.
With a super brick flag build and special viewing glasses that turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks, this July 4th celebration is sure to dazzle and delight with three nights of family fun and fireworks.
Thunder on the Ridge
July 4 at Lake Eva Park in Haines City
This event is known as the largest fireworks display in Polk County and offers food, music, family entertainment, arts and crafts.
OCTOBER
Boktoberfest
October 17 at Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
Octoberfest celebration and plant sale, including live entertainment and food vendors.
Kick off gardening season with live entertainment, German food, craft beers, tree climbing and children’s activities. Free gate admission is included.
Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival
Oct. 17-19, 2014 at Lake Mirror Promenade in Lakeland
All types of classic and collectible cars on display at Lake Mirror Park
The Lake Mirror Classic is considered one of the “must do” collector car shows in the southeastern United States. The display of more than 600 show vehicles on and surrounding the restored 1920’s, art deco-inspired Lake Mirror Promenade provides one of the most scenic venues in the country.
Brick-or-Treat
October 10-31, weekends, at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven
Spooky, kooky event features themed treat stations, the largest LEGO Jack-o-Lantern in the world, entertainment and an all-kids costume contest. Every Saturday and Sunday in October.
NOVEMBER
Horse Creek Festival & Invitational Art Show
November 6-7 in Davenport
The Florida Heritage Invitational Art Show will showcase Florida artists along Allapaha Avenue and at the Davenport School of the Arts. Young artists will be displaying their work on the Williams Street Plaza.
Kathleen Area Historical Society Harvest Festival
November at Heritage Park in Kathleen
Join the Kathleen Area Historical Society for their annual festival with fun that includes cane grinding, breakfast, games, activities, entertainment, lunch and dessert!
When Pigs Fly South
November at SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland
When Pigs Fly South is a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned barbecue event. Come experience great food, great music, cars, motorcycles, children’s activities, and fun for whole family.
DECEMBER
Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate
December-January at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales
The Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate is the highlight of our Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens season of holiday-themed events. The 20-room, Mediterranean-style mansion is decorated by volunteers and sponsored designers for the 21st year of the event.
Christmas Bricktacular
Select dates in December at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven
Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Florida brings in the holiday season with a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree made of 270,000 LEGO bricks, festive decorations, LEGO build activity stations, a LEGO Santa Scavenger Hunt and holiday entertainment.
Carols in the Park
December at Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven
Crafts and holiday festival
Get a start on your holiday shopping by attending Carols in the Park, which features national crafters and vendors, musical performances by local school groups, and more.
Mistletoe Marketplace
December 12 in Eagle Lake
Christmas crafts, music, hayrides, food, lights, train display and Santa
Holiday festival with food, Santa, hayrides, entertainment, crafts, model train display, kids activities,decorations and holiday lights. Local schools, churches and dance groups perform on the City Commission building stage.
Countdown to Kid’s New Year’s Eve and Kid’s New Year’s Eve
Select dates in December at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven
Five nights of fireworks over Lake Eloise. Special 3D viewing glasses turn fireworks into millions of tiny LEGO bricks.
On New Year’s Eve, the giant LEGO brick drops at a very kid-friendly midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) – otherwise known as 7 p.m. Includes fireworks and a dance party DJ.
For many more great events going on in Central Florida in 2015, check out: visitcentralflorida.org/find/events
