Calendar

Events around Lake Wales.

Featured night, then the full running list — community, library, city commission, arts, nature, and signature festivals. Sort and filter to find what fits your week.

Featured

Open Mic Night

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Old Man Franks — 1005 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Polk County Open Mic Night moves lakeside to Old Man Franks in Winter Haven — a seafood bar and restaurant on Lake Howard with sunset views. Featuring Mojo Maniacs. Walk-up sign-in, house drums on site, bring your own instrument and amp when you can. All-ages, free and open to the public. Presented by BackTier.com — contact Jason (jason@backtier.com).

Old Man Franks · (863) 294-9179 · 1005 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven

Other Lake Wales events

More dates around town.

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Saturday, July 11, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Second-Saturday downtown market — produce, makers, and prepared food along Park Ave. Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Community

Lake Wales Community Talent Show

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Spook Hill Elementary

Community talent showcase at Spook Hill Elementary — singers, dancers, comics, and kids' acts.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Nearby

Florida Pro Wrestling at Tanners Lakeside

8:00 PM

Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar, Winter Haven

Nearby: live pro wrestling card at Tanners — a short drive from downtown Lake Wales.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Nearby

Sip and Paint at Port 27

6:00 PM

Port 27, Lake Hamilton

Nearby: guided paint night with drinks at Port 27 on Lake Hamilton.

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Nearby

Sundaze at Kulture on 1st

8:00 PM

Kulture on 1st, Winter Haven

Nearby: free Sunday night music and vibes in downtown Winter Haven.

Monday, July 13, 2026

Community

Shower Down Explosion

8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Crystal Lake Park

Community outreach and giveaway day at Crystal Lake Park — school supplies, hygiene kits, and lunch.

Monday, July 13, 2026

Library

Florida Talks — The Barefoot Mailman & Post Office Murals

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Schoenoff Meeting Room, Lake Wales Public Library

Florida Humanities talk on the Barefoot Mailman legend and the WPA post office murals.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Community

Bingo at the Woman's Club

3:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wales Woman's Club

22 rounds of Bingo with cash prizes. Doors 3:30.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Music

Tuesday Musician's Open Mic

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Thirsty Dragon

Weekly Tuesday-evening open mic — separate from the first-Wednesday Market Plaza open mic.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Government

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

CRA meeting on downtown redevelopment — public may attend and speak.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Library

Toddler Story Time

10:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

Weekly story time for toddlers and caregivers — songs, movement, and picture books.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Community

Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM

James P. Austin Community Center

Recurring community food distribution — first-come, first-served.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Music

Free and Breezy

5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The Thirsty Dragon

Duo covering Patsy Cline, James Taylor, and more. Source: LakeWalesNews.net.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Arts

Thrown Together — Opening Reception

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wales Arts Council

Opening night for the Thrown Together group exhibition (runs through Sept 5).

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Community

National Insurance Nerds Day

4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Casual after-work meetup and celebration for people who work in insurance.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Nature

Bok Tower Sunset Carillon Concert

6:00 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

Evening carillon recital under the Singing Tower with cooler garden hours.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Community

Culpepper Cardiac Foundation — 100th AED Donation

Afternoon

Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower receives its 100th AED from the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation with heart-health presentations.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Government

City Commission Meeting

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

Regular city commission meeting — agenda posted online 48 hours prior.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Community

Trivia Night at 2nd Street Cafe

7:00 PM

2nd Street Cafe, Downtown Lake Wales

Weekly team trivia downtown — arrive early to grab a table.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Music

Shawn Rahn at The Thirsty Dragon

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

The Thirsty Dragon

Lakeland singer-guitarist Shawn Rahn plays The Thirsty Dragon.

Friday, July 24, 2026

Arts

Lake Wales Little Theatre Auditions

7:00 PM

Lake Wales Little Theatre

Open call auditions for the fall production — cold reads from the script.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Fourth-Saturday downtown market at Market Plaza. Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Community

Cruise-In Classic Car Night

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Classic and custom cars line Park Ave — free to show, free to walk.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Recreation

Sunset Yoga at Lake Wailes

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wailes Park

Donation-based sunset yoga on the lawn overlooking Lake Wailes. BYO mat.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Government

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

City Administration

Monthly Planning & Zoning Board meeting.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Community

Chamber Breakfast Club

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber networking breakfast with a short program from a member business.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Arts

Depot Museum Walking Tour

10:00 AM

Lake Wales Depot Museum

Docent-led downtown walking tour tracing citrus, rail, and Mediterranean Revival architecture.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Music

Bluegrass & Barbecue

6:00 PM

Sugar Grove Estate

Live bluegrass and barbecue at Sugar Grove Estate — bring a chair.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Community

Movies in the Park — Family Night

8:30 PM

Lake Wailes Park

Free family movie under the stars on the Lake Wailes lawn.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Community

Bingo at the Woman's Club

3:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wales Woman's Club

22 rounds of Bingo with cash prizes. Doors 3:30.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Music

Tuesday Musician's Open Mic

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Thirsty Dragon

Weekly Tuesday-evening open mic at The Thirsty Dragon.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Government

City Commission Meeting

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

Regular city commission meeting — agenda posted online 48 hours prior.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Library

Toddler Story Time

10:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

Weekly story time for toddlers and caregivers.

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Community

Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM

James P. Austin Community Center

Recurring community food distribution.

Friday, August 7, 2026

Nearby

Lakeland First Friday

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lakeland (Kentucky & Tennessee Ave)

Nearby: family-friendly street festival with makers market, live music, and downtown shops staying open late.

Friday, August 7, 2026

Nearby

First Friday Winter Haven

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Winter Haven Historic District

Nearby: monthly downtown Winter Haven street party — food, drink, live music, and shopping under market lights.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Second-Saturday downtown market at Market Plaza. Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Through September 5, 2026

Arts

Thrown Together — Group Exhibition

Gallery hours

Lake Wales Arts Council

Ongoing summer group show at the Arts Center — mixed-media works from Ridge-area artists.

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Community

Chamber Coffee Chat — Website Portal

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber informational session on using the member website portal. Free for members.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Library

Toddler Story Time

10:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

Weekly toddler story time — songs, movement, and picture books.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Arts

Historic District Ghost Walk — Preview Night

8:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales (meet at the Depot)

Lantern-lit walking tour of downtown's stranger corners — a preview of the fall run.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Government

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

CRA meeting on downtown redevelopment.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Music

Tuesday Musician's Open Mic

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Thirsty Dragon

Weekly Tuesday-evening open mic at The Thirsty Dragon.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Government

City Commission Meeting

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

Regular city commission meeting — agenda posted online 48 hours prior.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Library

Toddler Story Time

10:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

Weekly toddler story time.

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Community

Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM

James P. Austin Community Center

Recurring community food distribution — first-come, first-served.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Fourth-Saturday downtown market at Market Plaza. Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Community

Lake Wales Care Center Slow Roll & Breakfast

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Lake Wales Care Center, 201 N Scenic Hwy

Community bike ride and breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Lake Wales Care Center.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Nature

Bok Tower Sunset Carillon Concert

6:00 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

Evening carillon recital under the Singing Tower during cooler garden hours.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Government

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

City Administration

Monthly Planning & Zoning Board meeting.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Community

Trivia Night at 2nd Street Cafe

7:00 PM

2nd Street Cafe, Downtown Lake Wales

Weekly team trivia downtown — arrive early for a table.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Community

Chamber Breakfast Club

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber networking breakfast with a short member spotlight.

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Recreation

Sunset Yoga at Lake Wailes

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wailes Park

Donation-based sunset yoga on the lawn overlooking Lake Wailes. BYO mat.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Music

Polk County Open Mic Night

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

TBA — contact Jason (jason@backtier.com)

First-Wednesday Polk County Open Mic Night presented by BackTier. Walk-up sign-ins, all ages, free.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Library

Toddler Story Time

10:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

Weekly toddler story time.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Community

Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM

James P. Austin Community Center

Recurring community food distribution — first-come, first-served.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Nearby

First Friday Winter Haven

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Winter Haven Historic District

Nearby: monthly downtown Winter Haven street party — food, drink, live music, and shopping.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Nearby

Lakeland First Friday

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lakeland

Nearby: makers market, live music, and downtown shops open late along Kentucky & Tennessee Avenues.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Nearby

Festival de las Americas — Lakeland

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Munn Park, Downtown Lakeland

Nearby: Latin-inspired festival returning to Munn Park, presented by the Puerto Rican / Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County.

September 4 – 6, 2026

Nearby

Perfect Game Season Opener

All weekend

Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven

Nearby: youth and high-school baseball tournament kicking off the fall Perfect Game season at Chain of Lakes.

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Arts

Thrown Together — Closing Weekend

Gallery hours

Lake Wales Arts Council

Final day of the Thrown Together group exhibition at the Arts Center.

July 16 – September 5, 2026

Arts

Thrown Together Exhibition

Gallery hours

Lake Wales Arts Council

Group exhibition at the Lake Wales Arts Council gallery.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Second-Saturday downtown market — produce, makers, and prepared food. Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Community

Hot Rods & Reels Car Show

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Kiwanis Park

Classic cars, food trucks, and live music at Kiwanis Park.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Community

Bingo at the Woman's Club

3:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Lake Wales Woman's Club

22 rounds of Bingo with cash prizes. Doors 3:30.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Government

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

CRA meeting on downtown redevelopment — public may attend and speak.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Government

City Commission Meeting

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Municipal Administration Building

Regular city commission meeting — agenda posted online 48 hours prior.

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Community

Power Lunch with Sheriff Grady Judd

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber's annual Power Lunch featuring Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Ticketed — register through the Chamber.

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Nearby

Hispanic Heritage Festival

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Lake Gwyn Park, Winter Haven

Nearby: Polk County's Hispanic Heritage Festival — live music, street food, vendors, fashion show, and talent show.

September 19 – 20, 2026

Nearby

Central Florida Gun Show

Sat 9 AM – 5 PM · Sun 9 AM – 3 PM

Skylight Hangar, SUN 'n FUN Expo, Lakeland

Nearby: Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club's fall gun show on the SUN 'n FUN campus.

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Market

Lake Wales Downtown Market

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales

Fourth-Saturday downtown market at Market Plaza.

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Nearby

Rock for Paws Benefit Concert

7:00 PM

Idlewood Venue, Bartow

Nearby: live music and dancing benefit for the Polk County Bully Project rescue.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Government

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

City Administration

Monthly Planning & Zoning Board meeting.

October 10 – 11, 2026

Festival

Pioneer Days Festival

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Lake Wales History Museum

Living-history weekend — blacksmithing, cane-syrup boil, Cracker music, and citrus-era demos.

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Festival

Halloween Spooktacular

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's family-friendly Halloween takeover of downtown with trick-or-treating and costume contests.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Nature

Bok Tower Big Tree Festival

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

Family festival celebrating the gardens' champion trees — guided walks, kids' crafts, and carillon.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Community

Veterans Day Ceremony

11:00 AM

Veterans Memorial Park

City ceremony honoring Lake Wales veterans with speakers, wreath-laying, and rifle salute.

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Festival

Lake Wales Live

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's downtown block party — live music, vendors, and food. 2026–27 dates: Nov 14, Jan 9, Mar 28, Apr 17.

December 4 – 5, 2026

Festival

Orange Blossom Revue

All day

Lake Wailes Park

Annual Orange Blossom Revue music festival on the shores of Lake Wailes, celebrating Central Florida's citrus heritage.

Friday, December 5, 2026

Festival

Make It Magical Tree Lighting

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's holiday tree lighting and downtown celebration to kick off the season.

Saturday, December 12, 2026

Festival

Lake Wales Christmas Parade

6:00 PM

Park Avenue, Downtown

Lighted holiday parade down Park Ave — floats, marching bands, Santa on the last float.

Saturday, January 9, 2027

Festival

Lake Wales Live

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's downtown block party — music, vendors, and food.

Saturday, January 23, 2027

Music

Lunchtime Concert Series

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Free downtown lunchtime concerts. 2027 dates: Jan 23, Feb 27, Mar 27, Apr 24.

February 27 – March 1, 2027

Festival

55th Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival

Sat 10 AM – 4 PM · Sun 10 AM – 4 PM (Awards Sat 4:30–6 PM)

Lakeshore Blvd, Lake Wailes

Free open-air festival with 70+ juried fine artists, the Tasting Trail, and live music. Presented by AdventHealth.

Saturday, March 6, 2027

Festival

Cork & Keys

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's signature wine, food, and live-music stroll through downtown.

Saturday, March 28, 2027

Festival

Lake Wales Live

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Downtown Lake Wales

Main Street's downtown block party.

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