CFAN Calendar of Events 

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December 2024 – January 2025

December 21, 28 and January 4, 11, 18, 25

Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay

Every Saturday from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Grady Goat Farm hosts a fun and relaxing yoga class featuring their famous goats. Tickets are $39 for each attendee. This delightful event benefits Project G.O.A.T. (Global Offensive Against Trafficking), a charity that works to protect children. Grady Goat Farm is located at 12551 Franklin Rd. in Thonotosassa. Learn about this incredible farm and all that they do by visiting their website at www.gradygoat.org. 

December 21 and 28; January 4, 11, 18, 25

Saturday Night Rodeo

This fun, family-friendly rodeo takes place every Saturday through the end of November from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, located at 3200 River Ranch Blvd in River Ranch. Enjoy the antics of cowpokes and bronco busters as they show off their skills trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and more. Kids are invited into the rodeo arena toward the end of the night to participate in a real “calf scramble.” Tickets are $32.05 for adults, $26.70 for children ages 5 – 12, and children ages 4 and under are free. For more information, please visit www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/activities/rodeo/. 

December 13 – 14, 20 – 21

Florida Flywheelers Christmas in the Village

For two weekends, from 6 – 9 p.m., you can enjoy a journey through an Antique Village delightfully decorated as a Winter Wonderland from the comfort of your own vehicle. You’ll receive sweet treats and seasonal refreshments (like hot cocoa, cookies, eggnog, and cider), and have the opportunity to get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, This is a charity event that benefits the community, so for admission the Flywheelers request canned food, toys, and/or monetary donations. The address is 7000 Avon Park Cut Off Rd in Fort Meade. If you have any questions, you may contact (863) 285-9121, or visit the website at www.FloridaFlywheelers.org/events/. 

December 13 – 31

Light Up BSP

For the last two weeks of December, Bonnet Springs Park will transform nightly into a lovely holiday light display. As always, admission is free and there will be activities for kids of all ages, festive performances, and holiday lights happening nightly from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Located at 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd in Lakeland. For more information and details about this and other Bonnet Springs Park events, please visit their website: https://bonnetspringspark.com/light-up-bsp-event-2024/ 

December 14 and 28; January 11 and 25

Downtown Farmer’s Market in Lake Wales

The Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market is sponsored by Lake Wales Main Street and takes place every second and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 20 N Market St in Lake Wales. This producer-only market specializes in locally grown, pesticide-free produce and plants, baked goods, local honey, Florida grove pepper sauces, cheeses, award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs, homemade jams and jellies, natural pet treats, plus a ton of crafts, clothing, and jewelry. For more information, you can contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.

December 14

Ask a Master Gardener @ Lake Wales Farmer’s Curb Market

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit the Polk County Master Gardener booth at the market for the latest gardening information and get answers to all your Florida gardening questions. Located at 20 N Market St. in Lake Wales.

December 14

Magic of the Holidays Festival with The Nutcracker @ Bok Tower Gardens

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., come dressed in your holiday fairy best, as Bok Tower Gardens presents a holiday fantasy extravaganza! Outdoor Kitchen for photos with the Christmas Cookie Baker and enjoy a sweet treat. Ignite your holiday spirit with a stroll through the Gardens and be delighted by a host of holiday characters. The Musical Hammers Band will be playing live on the cafe terrace from 1:30 p.m – 3 p.m. This fun event is free for members, and $20 for non-member adults, $10 for non-member children which includes admission to the Gardens. Children 5 and under are free! Visit https://tinyurl.com/bdhyzvyb for registration. 

December 14

Nuts About Nature

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., visit Bonnet Springs Park for a winter story time with Mrs. Claus. She will be reading “Can I Spend the Winter with You?” by Elizabeth Mordensky. Visit the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center for an engaging story time before a photo opportunity. Guests will also learn about a variety of animal’s winter adaptations through hands-on activities in correlation to the book reading. As always, admission is free and this event is all ages.

December 17

Sandhill Habitat Improvement @ Bow Tower Gardens

Join the FWC for a morning of group planting, where you’ll help make a difference for the Sandhill Crane habitats. Work to plant native grasses and forbs and also hand pull native grasses for sandhill restoration. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Mountain Lake Sandhill Site at Bok Tower Gardens and stay until 11:30 a.m. For details, please contact Jonathan Foligno at 863-991-0198 or visit: https://tinyurl.com/mu6dc46h

December 21 and 28; January 4, 11, 18, 25

Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market

This vibrant, eclectic market brings the community together every Saturday in Downtown Lakeland with fresh, local produce, live plants, and a variety of hot foods and handcrafted wares. It is located on the 200 block of N. Kentucky Ave. in Lakeland from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at www.downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org. 

December 27

Mulled Cider Making @ Bok Tower Gardens

From 10 a.m. to noon, gather in the Hammock Hollow Ramble Barn for a sensory

experience where little ones can create an herbal sachet for themselves or as a gift for

someone else. Free for members/$20 for non-member adults, $10 for non-member children. No registration is required. The ticket price includes general admission to the Gardens. Tickets are available for purchase at boktower.org, in person at the Visitor Center or by phone at 863-734-1222.

January 6, 13, 20, 27

Awe Walk @ Bok Tower Gardens

Join Director of Visitor Engagement Tricia Martin for a series of walks from 9-10 a.m., winding through the gardens, where you’ll practice the skills of awe, wonder, and attentiveness. Start 2025 right, slowing down to take a fresh look at nature and spend moments taking in amazing vistas and magnificent blooms from the Rondel (visitor center entrance) to Pine Ridge Nature Preserve. Each weekly walk will be different; register for one walk or the entire series for maximum mindfulness! Cost is $5 for members and $25 for non-members, but includes admission to the Gardens. For registration, please visit: https://boktowergardens.org/event/awe-walk-5/ 

January 15 – 18 

37th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor “Swap Meet”Buy, sell, and swap engines, tractors, parts and pieces at this four-day event. Enjoy a daily Antique Car parade at 10:30 a.m., Antique Tractor Parade at 2 p.m. each day, observe a functioning sawmill demonstration, browse the huge flea market, stroll through the Antique Village, and for the young’uns, there will be Kids Pedal Tractor Pulls on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. Gates open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club, located at 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Rd in Fort Meade. To learn more, please go to www.floridaflywheelers.org.