Heart of the Arts Month

Central Florida is celebrating the Arts in a big way with more than 40 arts and cultural activities happening in the Heart of the Arts Month.

The Heart of Arts and Culture is Polk County, Central Florida

Every day Polk County’s cultural arts organizations and Polk Arts Alliance celebrate the arts, but October is a month to commemorate the arts in a big way. It’s National Arts and Humanities Month – the largest annual celebration for the arts and humanities in the nation.

Central Florida’s Polk County has an active arts community with events running non-stop from now through the end of October. Heart of the Arts includes concerts, dance and community theatre performances, museum exhibitions and a renowned art show. Polk County has it all! We highlight great events below, and be sure to view our full Upcoming Events Calendar. The entire Heart of the Arts Month Events Calendar can be selected as well.

Heart of the Arts Events

Masterworks Concert From Russia with Love

Tuesday, October 2, 7;30 p.m. Youkey Theatre, The Lakeland Center. www.imperialsymphony.org

Barefoot in the Park

October 4-6 and 10-13, 7:30 p.m. Polk State College Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre www.polk.edu

Red, White, & the Blues

Friday, October 12, 7:00 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland. www.polkmuseumofart.org

Twilight at the Ritz – Spooky but Glamorous Event

Saturday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven. www.ritzoncentral.com

Platform Art Party #20: Art in the Box

Saturday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. Corner of Bay Street & Tennessee Avenue, Downtown Lakeland. www.platformart.org

Motivations The Members Exhibition

Now through October 14, Monday – Friday 12:30 until 4:00 p.m. and one hour before all Theatre Winter Haven performances. Chain O’ Lakes Complex, Winter Haven. www.ridgeart.org

Boktoberfest

Saturday, October 20, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. www.boktowergardens.org.

FallFest

Saturday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Polk State College Winter Haven Campus. www.polk.edu

Walking Ghost Tours

Thursday – Friday, October 26-27, 7:00 p.m. Polk County History Center, Bartow. www.polkcountymuseum.org

BOO! Bash

Friday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Explorations V Children’s Museum, Downtown Lakeland. www.explorationsv.com

Rocky Horror Picture Show with Lipstick Players

Friday – Saturday, October 26 – 27, 10:00 p.m., movie begins at midnight. Polk Theatre, Downtown Lakeland. www.polktheatre.org

In Vibrant Color Vintage Celebrity Portraits from the Harry Warnecke Studio

October 27 – January 12. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland. www.polkmuseumofart.org

37th Annual Pioneer Days Festival

Saturday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. E. Park Ave. and N. Lakeshore Blvd., Lake Wales. www.cityoflakewales.com

Over 55 Show Band Performance

Saturday – Sunday, October 27-28, 2:00 p.m. Polk State College Fine Arts Theatre, Winter Haven. www.polk.edu

Attend local arts events like museum exhibits, local plays or concerts. If you have kids, make it a family outing! Take a class in creative writing, dance, painting or whatever strikes your fancy. View our full Heart of the Arts Month Schedule and enjoy the arts with your family and friends.