To Do

The Polk Theatre is a vaudeville/movie palace that was built in the rural community of Lakeland in 1928. When you enter the mezzanine lobby from the gorgeous tiled staircases, you will see all of the character and intricate details this theatre has to offer that make it so attractive.

The Polk is a Mediterranean village in the heart of Central Florida that has an Italian renaissance interior that has always created a sense of awe as Lakeland’s sanctuary for Hollywood’s finest films. It served as the town center for community interaction through the depression, war and up until mid-century. Today, the theatre is also supported by revenue from films, its Performing Arts Series, two fundraisers each year, rental income and memberships.

The theatre auditorium features 1,400 seats on two levels, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and is conveniently located within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants and businesses. It is the perfect setting for scheduling your own private events, such as concerts, comedy, dance, stage productions, graduations, corporate functions and any other special occasion. They offer competitive rates for booking private events and staff to help plan an unforgettable experience.

The Polk truly values the volunteers who are dedicated to this nonprofit institution in welcoming patrons and performing essential duties to keep things running smoothly. They offer training sessions for new volunteers, free seats and refreshments to any show they help with, acknowledge them in newsletters and playbills, and present them with certificates at their annual Volunteer Appreciation Party.

Their website also offers listings of conveniently located restaurants and hotels in the area to make planning your trip or private event a guaranteed success. You will also find a calendar of all upcoming events, the ability to purchase tickets, contact information, directions, accessibility accommodations and so much more.