Polk Top 10 - Haven May 2026

BANDIT MARKET SUMMER PARTY

May 2, noon – 5 p.m. at Bowen Yard. Celebrate the tenth Bandit Market with us! Summer is hot, but Bandit Market is hotter! Shop the coolest vendors from all over Central Florida for vintage clothing & homeware, original art, handmade pieces, baked goods, and more. Enjoy live music & more surprises to celebrate the tenth market! IG @thebanditmarket

BEETLEJUICE JR.

May 14 – 24 at Theatre Winter Haven. Based on the hit Broadway musical and the beloved Tim Burton film. Packed with catchy songs, wild characters, and ghoulish humor, “Beetlejuice Jr”. is a spooky, high-energy musical that proves sometimes the afterlife can be a lot more fun than the living world. theatrewinterhaven.com

FIRST FRIDAY CAR SHOW

May 1, 5 – 8 p.m. along Magnolia Ave between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW in Downtown Winter Haven. Check out all of the cool classic and exotic cars or bring your own to show off. No need to register, just drive up and park. While you’re Downtown, walk around and check out the bars & restaurants for their First Friday specials. More info FB @whfirstfriday.

MOTHER’S DAY AT BOK

May 10, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens. Celebrate Mom with a beautiful day in the Gardens. The Shop at Bok has the perfect gifts to make her day special. Treat Mom to lunch or ice cream at The Blue Palmetto Cafe. Carillon Concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free admission is offered to all mothers. boktowergardens.org

WELCOME TO WAADIZI, MICHIGAN!

Congratulations to local author, Dwight L. MacPherson! His book, “Welcome to Waadizi, Michigan!” is available to order as a hardcover, paperback, or eBook on Amazon. In Waadizi, Michigan, people vanish. Memory erodes. Truth sinks. Through interconnected stories, one man’s search for his missing mother uncovers the terrifying secret his town has learned to live with.

AAPI CULTURAL CELEBRATION

May 9, 6 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with performances, food, and fun for the whole family. Groups from Japan, India, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and beyond take the stage, while local vendors serve up authentic Asian and Polynesian cuisine. FREE to attend and open to all. bonnetspringspark.com

LUAU PARTY

May 2, 5 p.m. at Grove Roots Brewery. Throw on your best luau attire and celebrate the night in Hawaiian style! Here’s what to look forward to: Hawaiian-inspired plate dinner, pineapple slushee station, Hula dancers, and Fire dancers. Find the full schedule and more info on FB @groverootsbrewing

SPCA RUN FOR THEIR LIVES 5K

May 23, 7 a.m. at Peterson Park in Lakeland. Run or walk with your four-legged companion. Enjoy a continental breakfast, an awards ceremony, and the powerful feeling of knowing your participation helps give animals a second chance. Every step supports compassion, and hope. spcaflorida.org

MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE

May 9 & 10 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on the shores of Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland. Mayfaire features more than 150 artist booths and is one of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida. Mayfaire has been ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row. mayfairebythelake.org

KAYAK ECOTOUR

May 23, 9 a.m. at Lake Silver in Winter Haven. The City of Winter Haven’s Natural Resources Division is hosting a series of kayak ecotours on various lakes in Winter Haven. These tours will be short (within 3 hours) but information-packed trips where residents and visitors can get out on the lakes. Registration begins two weeks before the event. mywinterhaven.com