Last updated: November 11, 2024
Explore the must-see holiday attractions in Baton Rouge! Discover all the top events with our guide. From Baton Rouge natives to seasonal visitors, our guide ensures you don't miss a moment of yuletide joy.
One highlight of the holiday season is the enchanting Festival of Lights, where the city sparkles with festive displays and family-friendly activities. The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker offers a delightful chance to enjoy the classic tale performed by talented local dancers. And the Baton Rouge Zoo’s ZooLights is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring breathtaking light displays alongside the chance to see the zoo's animals in a unique evening setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Explore the Baton Rouge Zoo during the holiday season with thousands of twinkling lights and festive displays, featuring animal encounters and visits to Santa Claus.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Baton Rouge Zoo’s ZooLights
Half a million sparkling lights illuminate the city.
Baton Rouge's oldest holiday tradition transforms the winter sky with half a million sparkling lights. The Mayor lights North Boulevard, and visitors can enjoy an arts market for Christmas gift shopping, live music, dance performances, and fireworks beneath a 25-foot Christmas tree in North Boulevard Town Square.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Festival of Lights
Synchronized light and sound display with various holiday-themed attractions.
Baton Rouge General Holiday Lights features a large greenspace transformed into a twinkling, singing, and musically synchronized lights display. The event includes three dancing-light mega trees, 24-foot lighted tunnels, and giant walk-through ornaments. Visitors can also enjoy snowmen and lighted candy canes.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Baton Rouge General Holiday Lights
Annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel.
Celebrate Creole Christmas at Magnolia Mound with holiday decorations, traditional songs, period demonstrations, folk crafts, and local vendors.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Creole Christmas at Magnolia Mound
World-class ballet performance with local student dancers and professional guest artists.
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou, a holiday classic featuring beautiful dancing, lush sets, and live accompaniment by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. This production welcomes local student dancers and professional guest artists, making it a cherished holiday tradition in Baton Rouge.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Classical music performances with a focus on holiday favorites.
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra presents holiday concerts featuring traditional melodies and custom arrangements, perfect for the entire family.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Seasonal melodies and music from holiday classics.
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra presents Home for the Holidays, featuring seasonal melodies and music from favorites like Polar Express, Home Alone, The Nutcracker, and Sleigh Ride. This concert is a family favorite, perfect for a big carol sing-along.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Home for the Holidays
Live music and fireworks at a public New Year's Eve event.
Red Stick Revelry is a New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Baton Rouge featuring live music, a midnight countdown, and fireworks over the Mississippi River.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Red Stick Revelry
Live music performances from a decorated train.
The CPKC Holiday Train is a 1,000-foot-long train decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED lights, featuring a traveling stage for professional musicians like MacKenzie Porter and Dallas Smith. The event raises money and collects food for community food banks while spreading holiday cheer.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: CPKC Holiday Train
Community-driven food drive to support those in need.
The RCAC Thanksgiving Food Drive is an annual event where the community comes together to help those in need during the holiday season by collecting non-perishable food items.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: RCAC Thanksgiving Food Drive
Colorful parade with diverse performances and floats.
The Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade in Baton Rouge is a vibrant holiday event featuring marching bands, dance groups, and festive floats, celebrating the spirit of the season.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Downtown Christmas Parade
19th-century Louisiana Christmas celebration with costumed re-enactors and Louisiana Lights.
A Rural Life Christmas is an annual 19th-century Louisiana Christmas celebration at the LSU Rural Life Museum. The event features traditional festivities including music, artisans, storytellers, and costumed re-enactors. Guests can take memorable photos with Papa Noel and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. As the day winds down, experience the enchanting Louisiana Lights, illuminating the evening with holiday cheer.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: A Rural Life Christmas
Comprehensive fraud prevention education.
Learn how to protect yourself from the latest holiday scams and frauds at this informative workshop hosted by AARP Louisiana. Understand the common types of holiday fraud and gain essential tips on how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones during the festive season.
Where: Baton Rouge | More Info: Holiday Fraud Prevention Workshop Baton Rouge
