Polk Top 10 - LKLD May 2026

TELETHON

May 7 at 6 p.m. until May 8 at 6 p.m. Parker Street Ministries is hosting a 24-hour Livestream Telethon, a day filled with stories, worship, generosity, and community. Every hour will showcase the impact of their year-round programs, highlight community partners, and invite viewers to give toward transforming lives in the Parker Street neighborhood and beyond. psmlakeland.org

1776

May 22 – 24 at Lakeland Community Theatre. This musical follows key Founding Fathers, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, as they grapple with the decision to declare independence from the British monarchy. This performance showcases the challenges they faced that led to the birth of a new nation. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

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

WALTER PARKS

May 17, 7 p.m. at Gram Parsons Derry Down in Winter Haven. Walter Parks grew up in North Florida. His research and unique reimagining of the hollers, hymns, and reels of swamp homesteaders are archived in The Library of Congress. Walter is the leader of two Americana roots groups, Swamp Cabbage (electric-folk/rock) and The Unlawful Assembly (reimagined spirituals). gpderrydown.com

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

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE

May 8, 6 p.m. at Munn Park. Hear country music recording artist Eli Mosley brings his signature sound & strong vocals. This free, familyfriendly event will have a wide variety of food and drink vendors, along with local vendors to shop. Bring your chairs and blankets for an evening of live music under the stars in Downtown Lakeland. downtownlkld.com

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, community, 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

FAIRYTALE TREATS

May 31, 4 p.m. at Enchanted Fairytale Hollow. Join Moana for themed refreshments, an immersive stage show & storybook experience incorporating storytelling, costume changes, interactive activities, and sing-alongs. Plus, a Meet and Greet with Photo Op. Must register in advance, find more info on FB @EnchantedFairytaleHollow.