Arts & Entertainment - Best of Haven 2026
- Haven Magazine
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Best Date Night
FLAME CANDLESTUDIOS
25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven
A truly lit date night with guaranteed heat! Just think, you and your date will have wick-id fun creating a candle together, and then you take it home! Every time you light it up, you’ll be waxing poetic about your sweet date night. Congratulations to FLAME Candlestudios on your win!
2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins
3rd: The Ritz
Best Live Music Venue
CAMP MARGARITAVILLE RV RESORT & CABANA CABINS
361 Denton Ave, Auburndale
Situated on 66 acres, Camp Margaritaville is a great getaway to see live music. Enjoy live music every weekend at the Six String Stage and License to Chill. Join in the celebration every Labor Day weekend when they celebrate Jimmy Buffett Day with entertainment and events to “keep the party going!” Congrats on your win!
2nd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
3rd: Somewhere Sports Bar
Best Band
99 IN THE SHADE
Congratulations to these guys! Watch them shred at local bars, or hire them to perform at weddings, corporate events, private parties, and more. They perform a wide range of music, and love to get crowds up out of their seat and dancing! Follow their Facebook page to learn about current gigs at 99intheshadeband. Congratulations to 99 in the Shade!
2nd: Daniel Burns Band
3rd: Twizted
Best Dance Studio
THE WRIGHT STEP
316 Ave C SW, Winter Haven
Everybody do jazz hands! This repeat winner has danced their way to the top again! Amy and Kevin Wright opened The Wright Step in 2001 with three spacious studios that span 5000 square feet. Local kids have loved learning ballet, tap, hip hop, tumbling, jazz, and more, with many of them raving about the fun teachers. The Wright Step Xtreme Team takes it a “step” further with travel and competition. Congratulations to all of the dancers at The Wright Step!
2nd: Esprit Performing Arts
3rd: Your Haven Dance Company
Best Visual Artist
WILLIAM LARENCE
If you happened to have noticed the random paintings of small children around Downtown Winter Haven, then you’ve seen some of Bill’s work. He hopes his new studio called “Studio 77” will be a beacon for collaboration, imagination, and community. Congratulations on your win!
2nd: Trent Manning
3rd: Austin Snedden
Best Local Maker
THE BANNER BAR
IG @the_banner_bar
Congratulations to Hannah Summer! This local mom and ex-teacher has taken her love (and talent) for art and turned it into a business! She creates handpainted banners for any event. Want to feel inspired? Watch her process videos on IG, we can’t get enough! They’re so darn cute. (Hannah and her banners, that is.) Congrats again on your win!
2nd: FLAME Candlestudios
3rd: Austin Snedden
Best Art Workshop | Studio
FLAME CANDLESTUDIOS
25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven
Create a mood. Create a vibe. Keep it for yourself or give it away, up to you. Just head over to FLAME Candlestudios. Choose your vessel, choose your scent, then make it with a wooden wick and coconut wax. Your handcrafted candle will be one of a kind, just like you. Congratulations to FLAME on another win!
2nd: Art on Fire Studio
3rd: Painting with a Twist
Best Professional Photographer
KACIE JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Congratulations to Kacie Hazlett! Kacie specializes in couples and family photography, engagements, graduations, birth announcements, parties, headshots, and more! Check out examples of her work and find pricing on Instagram @kaciejeanphotography.
2nd: Kamryn Tutiven
3rd: Liam Rerucha
Best Tattoo Studio
SKINFINITY TATTOO COMPANY
5654 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven
Skinfinity is owned and operated by a registered nurse. With over 20 years of experience, they have forged their way to the hearts of locals with quality, artistry, and cleanliness. They offer custom tattoos drawn in any style. One happy client wrote, “Definitely going back, LOVE IT. Everyone super talented and friendly. Felt comfortable.” Congratulations to the entire team at Skinfinity!
2nd: Pinky’s Place Winter Haven
3rd: Aces Ink
Best Drag Queen | King
TRISHELLE MICHAELS
Congratulations to this local queen again!! She has slayed the competition year after year. Looking snatched and packed with class, she serves up glam and sass across Polk County. When Trishelle hits the stage, she entertains and leaves the audience wanting more. Congratulations Ms. Michaels!
2nd: Momma Ashley Rose
3rd: Tyreisha Jones
Best Party Rentals
ALPINE EVENTS
Formerly Party Rentals Unlimited. If your next event needs to level up, check out Alpine! They can help with lighting, tablescapes, tents, pipe & drape rentals, and more. One client wrote, “Working with Alpine was a pleasure, literally no job was too small or too big. The enthusiasm was amazing and I want to thank Megan and Nat for their tireless effort. Would 100% recommend!” Congratulations on your win!
2nd: Big Idea Entertainment
3rd: Wish Upon a Yard Card
Best Event Entertainment
NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT
770 Ave B SW, Winter Haven
This is your one-stop shop for party entertainment! Need a DJ? They’ve got one. Need a photo booth? They’ve got it. Need special effects to get the party started? They’ve got it! Congratulations to Next Level Entertainment for being the go-to party people!
2nd: Bounce it Again
3rd: Dreams Come True Entertainment
Best Venue Space
VENUE 650
650 6th St SW, Winter Haven
If you’re looking for a space to hold an event, you have just found it! Venue 650 offers over 10,000 square feet, including a bridal boutique, a groom’s den, a lounge, and outdoor garden space. The Venue team makes sure that all of the details for your special day are taken care of. Congratulations to the dedicated team at Venue 650 for your win!
2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins
3rd: The Packing House at Grove Roots Brewing Co.
Best Museum
MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY
660 Pope Ave, Winter Haven
Congratulations to the Museum of Winter Haven History! What this museum lacks in physical size is made up for in quantity and quality of artifacts and information. Anything you want to know about Winter Haven, they can tell you. They have skis from Dick Pope, photos of early residents, and souvenirs from Cypress Gardens. It’s a must-visit!
2nd: The AGB Museum of Art
3rd: Florida Children’s Museum
Best Staycation
Rent a lake-front home on Lake Eloise and get away (without getting away) for the night. (We all need this once in awhile, right?) One happy guest raved, “We enjoyed s’mores by the fire pit, wine on the deck, and relaxing in the hot tub. The sunsets both nights were amazing, and we saw lots of wildlife. Next time we are coming for more than two nights!” Congratulations on your win!
2nd: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins
3rd: Balmoral Resort
Best Annual Community Event
PROJECT E.A.G.L.E.
Project E.A.G.L.E. stands for Enhancing A Great Living Environment. Each year, residents join Keep Winter Haven Clean & Beautiful on the last Saturday of April at Lake Shipp Park. They join together to clean the shoreline and lakes. This has been their flagship event for over 30 years. Thank you to everyone involved and congratulations on your win!
2nd: Bandit Market + Holidays on Central
3rd: Bark in the Park
Best Hidden Gem
LAUGH OUT LOUNGE
19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven
Congratulations to Laugh Out Lounge! This comedy club brings in nationally touring acts, showcases local comedians, and offers an open mic night for the brave. Located in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven, this intimate club brings large laughs. Guests also love the staff, with review after review praising their friendliness. Congrats to the entire team!
2nd: Doombrowski Games & Comics
3rd: Melodywise School of Music
