ST. PETE PIER RUN July 4, 6:15 a.m. at the St. Pete Pier. Celebrate our country’s 250th birthday and join the 4-mile walk or run. There are two races, first one at 6:15 a.m., second at 7:45 am. The event also features old-fashioned holiday fun like a pie-eating competition, ice cream, pizza, popsicles, and fireworks. Register at runtampa.com. FREE MOVIES! The Tampa Theatre is offering a free movie screening three times in July at various locations, no tickets required. July 1

BITE 30 Through July 13 at participating restaurants. Choose from almost 50 restaurants offering a special prix fixe menu that includes a multicourse dinner at a set price of $38. Visit bite30.com to see the full list of restaurants. No tickets or coupons needed. Just ask to see the Bite 30 menu. Tax and gratuity not included. ORLANDO CITY PASTA CLASS July 16, 6 p.m. in Winter Park. Get hands-on instruction to make cappelletti pasta with dough to take home. You will also rece

BLOOMS & BRUSHES Every Thursday at Bok Tower Gardens. This is a hands-on crafting experience for all ages! Step inside the Alexander Discovery Center and enjoy nature-inspired art activities designed for curious kids, families, and adults alike. Each session is a make-and-take experience—so you’ll leave with your own handmade creation to remember your visit. boktowergardens.org MAURICE BENARD July 17, 7 p.m. at The Ritz. Join Maurice Benard, star of ABC’s “General Hospital,”

BIG FISH July 10 – 26 at Lakeland Community Theatre. Edward Bloom has lived a full and fantastical life, populated by witches, giants, and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks, and framed by heroics that push the limits of believability. His adult son, Will, is no longer amused by his father’s fantastical tales, insisting on a rational rather than a fantastical account of one’s life. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com LEGO FESTIVAL July 20 - August 16 at LEGO

AMERICAN VICTORY SHIP & MUSEUM One of only three fully-operational Victory Class WWII ships remaining. Visitors can come aboard a fullyfunctioning 1940s era steamship and relive history by visiting cavernous three-level cargo holds, radio and gyro rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, steering stations, flying bridge, mess halls, engine room, crew cabins, and more. This boat served in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. americanvictory.org JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL June 15 – 20 at

VOLCANO BAY UNDER THE STARS June 5, 12, 18, & 25 at Volcano Bay at Universal. Get exclusive access to all attractions from 7 - 11 p.m. This event includes the Beach Bash with live DJ, games and activities for the whole family, specialty-themed island treats and beverages, DreamWorks character meet and greets, and more. Reservations required, limited ticket sales. universalorlando.com ZOODIO 50 DISCO PARTY June 13, 6 p.m. at the Central Florida Zoo. Step back into 1975 for a n

PEOPLE & PLACES OF POLK COUNTY June 5, 5 – 8 p.m. at Destroyer Media at 326 Ave C SW, Winter Haven at Bowen Yard. Let’s get together at our office during First Friday! At this art exhibition, you can meet the photographers and view the photos chosen for the June issues of Haven & LKLD Magazines. Support local artists and drop by to visit. Some photos available for purchase. SUMMER SUNRISE WATERMELON 5K June 13, 7 a.m. at Lake Hollingsworth Park in Lakeland. Proceeds go toward

PEOPLE & PLACES OF POLK COUNTY June 5, 5 – 8 p.m. at Destroyer Media, 326 Ave C SW, Winter Haven at Bowen Yard. Let’s get together at our office during First Friday! At this art exhibition, you can meet the photographers and view the photos chosen for the June issues of Haven & LKLD Magazines. Support local artists and drop by to visit. Some photos available for purchase. POLK PRIDE WEEK June 13 – 20 at various locations. It begins with the Pride Kick Off Party, and then Prid

ARMATURE WORKS BOAT SHOW May 1 – 3 at Armature Works. This family-friendly show spans nearly 400,000 square feet along the Hillsborough River. The show features a mix of family boats, pontoons, and recreational vessels from local dealers, along with boating accessories, fishing gear, and marine lifestyle brands. Free admission. armatureworks.com WILD WEEKEND BRUNCH May 10, 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at Zoo Tampa. Celebrate Mother’s Day at this decadent brunch featuring a carving s

EPCOT FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW Throughout May at EPCOT. Walk around the world to see the perfectly trimmed topiaries and flowers. Try international food from over 20 outdoor kitchens, see a live show at the Garden Rocks Concert Series, shop for limited edition merch, check out Exhibit Hall, and don’t forget the Instagram-worthy selfies. SHAKEN & STIRRED Learn how to make upscale cocktails in an intimate setting at The Edison at Disney Springs at 1 p.m. May 9: Gin vs. Vodka Core C

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, i

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

GULF COAST MAKERCON April 18, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Yuengling Draft Haus. Browse innovative product booths, see workshops by industry experts in aerospace, AI, arts, and more. Watch Combat with over 30 fighting robots, shop the maker market, and kids can visit the Deconstruction Zone to dismantle electronics and learn about them. General admission is free. gulfcoastmakercon.com TBBHF MUSIC FEST April 25 & 26 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Fes

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL April 10 - 19 at the Enzian Theater. This Oscar-qualifying festival will premiere the best in current, independent, and international cinema. This is one of only a handful of Oscar-qualifying Festivals in the U.S. in all three shorts categories: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Subject. Ten days and over 180 films. Purchase tickets at floridafilmfestival.com . SCIENCE & WINE April 25, 7 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center

ADULT SKATE NIGHT April 9, 8:30 – 11 p.m. at Skate World Lakeland. Grab your friends and roll into a night just for the adults! On the second Thursday of every month, people ages 16 and over are welcome to skate to their favorite music under the disco ball. Admission is $10, skate rental is $5. FB @skatelakeland SUN ‘N FUN AEROSPACE EXPO April 14 – 19 at SUN ‘n FUN. Drive or fly in for a mix of world-class airshow performers including the USAF Thunderbirds, military demo team

ADULT SKATE NIGHT April 9, 8:30 – 11 p.m. at Skate World Lakeland. Grab your friends and roll into a night just for the adults! On the second Thursday of every month, people ages 16 and over are welcome to skate to their favorite music under the disco ball. Admission is $10, skate rental is $5. FB @skatelakeland PSC JAZZ NIGHT CONCERT April 16, 7 p.m. Join the Polk State Music Department for a night of jazz at the Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets are $10 for

WINEFEST: WINEDERLAND March 6 & 7 at Tampa Theatre. This Alice in Wonderland-themed fundraiser encourages guests to explore the historic 1926 landmark while sampling boutique wines from around the world and enjoying bites from Tampa’s top independent restaurants, bid on silent auction items, and dress as your favorite character. tampatheatre.org MARCH MADNESS March 20 – 22 at the Benchmark International Arena. The University of South Florida hosts the First and Second Rounds

ART’S THE SPARK March 7, 10:30 a.m. - noon at the Orlando Museum of Art. Through interactive tours for those living with memory impairment or any other neurological impairment (such as early stage Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease) and their healthy caregivers. This is an expressive outlet and an opportunity for adult discussions. omart.org HAMLET March 21, 11 a.m. at the Enzian Theater. National Theatre Live is the National Theatre’s project to broadcast the best o

ROOTSTOCK SPRING SALE March 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens. Rootstock Plant Sale is a garden lover’s dream! Shop from the state’s top plant vendors, take a hayride through the Pine Ridge Reserve, and enjoy live music on The Terrace. Celebrate spring with a walk through the gardens during peak bloom! boktowergardens.org SPRING GARDEN PARTY March 21, 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. at BowenYard. This is a full day of fun beginning with a free yoga class at 10 a.m., vendor market

LSO COOKIE CONCERT March 1, 1- 3 p.m. at Branscomb Auditorium in Lakeland. Designed for 5th-grade students, this 45-minute performance by the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra celebrates the wonder of the natural world. Instrument petting zoo and musical storytime from 1-2 p.m., concert from 2-3 p.m. Free, no ticket required. lkldsymphony.org BLOOMIN’ ARTS FESTIVAL March 7 & 8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Downtown Bartow. Featuring over 100 talented artists and craftspeople showcasing thei

BLACK LOVE CLASSICS SERIES Celebrate the intersection of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month with stories of romance as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts at the Tampa Theatre at 3 p.m. Feb. 1: “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018); Feb. 8: “The Photograph” (2020); Feb. 15: “Boomerang” (1992); Feb. 22: “Carmen Jones” (1954). tampatheatre.org NHL STADIUM SERIES Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Boston Bruins in a

ORLANDO MAGIC Home games are played at the Kia Center. The Magic will play five times in February. Feb. 5, 7 p.m. vs Nets; Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. vs Jazz; Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. vs Bucks; Feb. 11 at 7p.m. vs Bucks; Feb. 26 at 7:30p.m. vs Rockets. Purchase tickets at nba.com/magic . TIARA’S HAT PARADE Feb. 7 – 22 at Orlando Family Stage. Based on the book by author Kelly Starling Lyons, “Tiara’s Hat Parade” is a celebration of creativity, community, and the bond between a mother and d

JOE PUG Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at the Derry Down. A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style, he has toured with Steve Earle, Levon Helm, The Killers, Justin Townes Earle, Sturgill Simpson, and many others. He has appeared at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and The Newport Folk Festival. gpderrydown.com LAKE WALES MARDI GRAS Feb. 13, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., join the Glow Run at 6 p.m. The fun continues on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. with live music, food and

JOE PUG Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at the Derry Down. A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style. He has toured with Steve Earle, Levon Helm, The Killers, Justin Townes Earle, Sturgill Simpson, and many others. He has appeared at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and The Newport Folk Festival. gpderrydown.com VALENTINE NIGHT MARKET Feb. 14, 5 – 9 p.m. in Downtown Lakeland. Great for date night, girls night, or family night out. Downtown retail shops will be open