Friday, February 3

6 – 9pm :: FREE

Enjoy the visual and performing arts throughout Downtown Lakeland on February 3rd. From school children to professionals, photography to painting and dancing and singing, local talent will be showcased throughout Downtown. Who knows, you may pick up a tip or two, or discover a hidden talent.

CALL TO ARTISTS (and musicians, dancers, poets, authors, and theatrical performers) — Set up a booth to sell your originally produced pieces (no buy-sell will be allowed). Booths are $25 per 10′x10′ spot. For details and to register for a booth space, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2735204069.

Confirmed performances and activities include:

• Artists displaying their artwork in the street
• Free West Coast Swing class at Just Dance, 6-7pm, an Open Dance 7-10pm, Giveaways to anyone who walks through the door, and Valentine’s Day specials
• Video, dance, spoken word, and  musical performances by the youth from Victory Church
• Dance performances by the professional dancers from Florida Dance Theatre
• Spoken word by the Southeastern University English Department
• Children’s Art Activities by Polk Museum of Art
• “Hearty” Appetizer Preparation & Presentation class at Home Essentials, $5 per person. RSVP REQUIRED. Call 863-687-3600
• Car Show on Tennessee

Friday, March 2

6-9pm :: FREE

Let your fancies take flight and your imaginations soar during this First Friday.  Sun ‘N Fun brings a taste of their world of aviation to Downtown.  You’ll have fun with paper airplanes and helicopter pyrotechnics, hot air balloons, flyovers, and other flight-related demonstrations and displays.  Of course, there’ll be great music through out Downtown, including a big band in Munn Park.

Friday, December 2, 6:00 – 9:00pm

Downtown continues the holiday festivities with a “Cookies and Carols” theme at the December First Friday.  Come down and enjoy holiday music and entertainment, visits with Santa and so much more.

Plus, it’s a great time to work on that holiday shopping list as shops are open late.  Don’t forget to stop and get a little something – or a big something – to eat at one of Downtown’s fabulous restaurants.  Maybe you’ll pick up an idea or two  for your holiday party.

Merchant Specials:

• Lloyd’s of Lakeland - 20% off one item over $20
• Home Essentials - 20% off one regularly priced item
• Traditions Unlimited - $5 off total purchase of $25 or more
• Bay Street Bistro - Free dessert with each purchased entrée
• Mitchell’s Coffee House - Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate. One drawing per hour, 6-9pm.
• Black Swan - Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate
• Brooke Pottery - $5 off purchases of $25 or more
• Arts on the Park - Artists Showcase Holiday Market
• Explorations V Children’s Museum - Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the Museum
• Fresco’s - Gingerbread cookies

Performances by:

• Berkley Charter Elementary
• Blake Academy
• George Jenkins High School
• Kingsford Elementary
• Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
• Longbow Family
• Sikes Elementary
• South McKeel Academy
• Suzuki Strings

November 29th, 6:00 PM -9:00 PM

Entering our third decade, this annual event in Downtown Lakeland celebrates the holidays with shopping, dining, music,  horse-drawn wagon rides and more!

Entertaining Specials:

• Lloyd’s of Lakeland – 20% off one item over $20
• My Cottage Garden - Tea samples
• Home Essentials – 20% off one regularly priced item
• Studio 323 – refreshment tent
• Traditions Unlimited - $5 off total purchase of $25 or more
• Rafa Natural – Free votive candle with purchase of $10 or more
• Bay Street Bistro – Free dessert with each purchased entrée
• Mitchell’s Coffee House – Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate.
• Black Swan – Purchase gets your name in a drawing for a gift certificate
• Peacock Antiques – Stop in for refreshments
• Reflection of the Past – 20% off Storewide Sale
• The Strand –  Stop in for refreshments
• Brooke Pottery –  $5 off total purchase of $25 or more
• Arts on the Park – Artists Showcase Holiday Market
• Explorations V Children’s Museum – Free admission with Museum Store purchase of at least $5 per person (Note: Each person must make a purchase in order to receive free admission); 15 month Family Membership for the price of 12 months
• Tougie Baby – Pictures with Santa
• Fresco’s – Gingerbread cookies
• The General Store – Free children’s craft activity and local authors signing books
• Paint Along Studios –  Create a 10 inch x 10 inch  painting of a Christmas Ornament for $7.50 per person. Two classes: one at 6:00pm and one at 8:00pm. Sign up in advance here or first come, first serve night of event.
• Fast Frame –  Photos with The Grinch taken by Maddi Leigh Photography for a fee, or bring your own camera for no cost photo
• Main Street Creamery - Hot Chocolate and Hot Christmas Punch
• Black & Brew Coffee House - Folk & Americana music by Wood & Bronze, and 2 for 1 house wines.
• Linkster’s Tap Room – Mention the Walkabout when you order your first drink and get your second drink free.
• Nathan’s Men’s Store –  Free cap (while they last) with the purchase of any Tommy Bahama shirt or jeans. $10 gift certificate with purchase of $100 or more. Neckties 33% off.
• Geo. L. Gaines Jewelers – 20% off one regularly priced item. Stop in for light refreshments.

An example of a Christmas Card offered by C.E. Design Co.

• C.E. Design Co. –  Buy one of our modern, vintage inspired designed cards, pull together for a free photo, and have an exceptionally creative card ready for mailing to friends and family in time for the Holidays.
• Wing Chun Martial Arts Downtown Kung Fu Academy –  Two people train for the price of one OR purchase a $50 gift card and receive $200 in training (includes classes and one individual session)
• Historic Lakeland - Lakeland-themed Holiday ornaments

Performances by:

• Berkley Charter Elementary
• Calvary Chapel
• Citrus Lakes Chorus
• Eagle Lake Elementary
• Longbow Family
• The Salvation Army
• Suzuki Strings
• Wing Chun Martial Arts Downtown Kung Fu Academy

Carriage Rides:

Sponsored by GrayRobinson, P.A.

• Carriage Point 1 – Corner of Main and Tennessee: Picks up a group and travels Tennessee Avenue to Pine Street, then drops group off at the corner of Pine Street and Kentucky Avenue.
• Carriage Point 1 – Corner of Pine and Kentucky: Picks up a group and travels Kentucky Avenue to Main Street, then drops group off at the corner of Main Street and Tennessee Avenue.

In conjunction with the Downtown Lakeland Partnership’s annual Holiday Walkabout on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, Explorations V Children’s Museum will be open evening hours from 6pm to 8pm and will offer free admission with the purchase of a minimum of $5 from the Museum Store.

The museum is also offering a Membership Special wherein all new or renewed membership purchased will receive 15 months of membership privileges for the price of 12.

Regular museum admission is $7 per person.

The museum is located at 109 North Kentucky Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Additional museum information may be obtained by calling the museum at 863 687 3869 or visiting the web site at www.explorationsv.com.

The City of Lakeland and NFocus will be showing “A Christmas Carol” this Friday, November 18, at dusk on Lake Mirror. This is the last Pics on the Promenade for the Fall. Admission is free, and feel free to bring blankets, chairs, and picnic.

Sponsored by Allen & Company.

Wednesdays 4:30-6pm  $120

Join Lakeland Community Theatre and get ready for after school fun, brush up your vocal skills and get e chance to be a part of the Sounds of the Seasons Production on Dec 9, 10 & 11.

Space is limited!

CAll 863 603 PLAY (7529) to sign up.