BATON ROUGE — From dazzling light displays to holiday parades, Santa visits, and family festivals, the Baton Rouge region is packed with festive events for all ages.
UWK has your guide to plan your holiday outings from late November through New Year’s Eve.
ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS
Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General
Nov. 22–Dec. 30 | 5:30 PM–5:30 AM | Free
8585 Picardy Ave., Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge General transforms its greenspace into a dazzling, music-synchronized light show. Walk through illuminated tunnels, dance with singing trees, and snap photos inside giant lighted ornaments, presents, and Santa hats. This massive display has become one of Baton Rouge’s signature holiday traditions.
Louisiana Lights at LSU Burden Museum & Botanic Gardens
Nov. 28–Dec. 30 | Recurring Daily
4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge
Stroll through glowing garden rooms, shimmering light tunnels, a sparkling lake, and illuminated orchard scenes set among towering oaks. This immersive light experience highlights the natural beauty of the Burden property with magical, Louisiana-themed displays.
Zoo Lights at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Nov. 28–Dec. 30 | 5–9 PM
3601 Thomas Rd., Baton Rouge
A family favorite, Zoo Lights offers thousands of glowing displays along a festive trail through the zoo. Enjoy animal-themed scenes, light tunnels, and holiday characters.
Admission:
- Adults/Teens: $5
- Seniors: $4
- Children (2–12): $3
- Under 1: Free
- Zoo Members: $3
Bring a canned good for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and get 50% off admission. Santa visits Friday & Saturday evenings before Christmas.
Editor’s Note: Don’t see your event here? Send the details and any links to news@unfilteredwithkiran.com to be added to the list.
HOLIDAY EVENTS BY DATE
NOVEMBER
White Light Night
Nov. 21 | 6–10 PM | Free
Government Street, Mid City Baton Rouge
Mid City’s largest art festival returns with local artists, live music, holiday shopping, and outdoor dining. Revel in the glowing white lights while exploring shops and pop-up vendors along Government Street. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or rideshare.
Lighting of Old City Hall – Denham Springs
Nov. 28 | Evening | Free
Downtown Denham Springs
Celebrate the season with choir performances, wagon rides, kids’ rides, letters to Santa, cookies, hot chocolate, and more. Perfect for families wanting a classic small-town Christmas experience.
Editor’s Note: Don’t see your event here? Send the details and any links to news@unfilteredwithkiran.com to be added to the list.
DECEMBER
CPKC Holiday Train
Dec. 2 | 4:30–5 PM | Free (donations encouraged)
1401 Foss St., Baton Rouge
The iconic, fully illuminated CPKC Holiday Train makes its Baton Rouge stop for one night only. Enjoy a live concert from the train’s stage and donate to support local food banks.
Festival of Lights – Downtown Baton Rouge
Dec. 5 | 4–8 PM | Free
North Boulevard Town Square
Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition lights up downtown with fireworks, a massive Christmas tree, live performances, shopping, and the official lighting of half a million twinkling lights.
Santa in the Senate – Old State Capitol
Dec. 5 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Free (registration required)
100 North Boulevard
Visit Baton Rouge’s castle-like Old State Capitol for photos with Santa, children’s crafts, and a holiday movie inside the historic House chamber.
Jingle Jeepin’ Parade & Market
Dec. 6 | Noon (Market) & 5:30 PM (Parade)
WBRCVB grounds
The Craft Market opens at noon inside the West Baton Rouge Convention & Visitors Bureau, offering holiday shopping and local vendors. Families can enjoy photos with Santa and live music by Tuxedo Speedo from 2–5:30 p.m., while Jeepers decorate their vehicles on the grounds before the parade rolls at 5:30 p.m.
City of Walker Christmas Parade
Dec. 6 | 3 PM | Walker, LA
The long-awaited return of the Walker Christmas Parade features festive floats, music, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Christmas Marche’
Dec. 6 | 11AM-5PM | North Park Denham Springs
100+ vendors, food trucks, free Santa & Grinch photos, free kids corner, DJ, petting zoo, giveaways
Albany Christmas Parade – 42nd Annual
Dec. 6 | Noon | Free
Celebrate the season with the Albany Volunteer Fire Department’s annual parade. Email parade@livingstonfd1.com for entry information.
Christmas on the Bayou Boat Parade – Amite River
Dec. 6 | Dusk
Boats launch from Chinquapin and proceed toward Red’s and Manny’s for Santa photo stops and stocking handouts. Pre-register at Manny’s on Dec. 5.
Living Nativity at Unity Prayer Center
Dec. 6 | 6-8 PM | Free
Location: Unity Prayer Center, 28145 S. Frost Rd., Livingston, LA 70754
Experience a beautiful outdoor walk-through dramatization of the birth of Christ at Unity Prayer Center’s Living Nativity. This 20-minute journey features live animals, joyful music, and a powerful message of hope that highlights the true meaning of Christmas. Free and family-friendly.
A Rural Life Christmas – LSU Rural Life Museum
Dec. 7 | 11 AM–7 PM
Ages 0–3: Free | Ages 4–11: $6 | Ages 12+: $12
Step back into 19th-century Louisiana with live music, artisans, re-enactors, and traditional holiday customs. Meet Papa Noël and enjoy a charming, old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere.
Light Up Livingston
Dec. 7 | 5 PM | Circle Drive Park
Celebrate with cookies, hot cocoa, music, and a visit from Santa. Tree lighting happens at dark.
17th Annual St. Joseph Church Fair – French Settlement
Dec. 7 | 9:30 AM–4 PM
A family day of food, crafts, games, music, and a visit from Santa from 9:30 AM–12:30 PM.
Pet Night with Santa – Perkins Rowe
Dec. 1 & Dec. 8 | 4–7 PM
10000 Perkins Rowe
Bring your pets—furry, scaly, or otherwise—to take a holiday photo with Santa. Reservations encouraged.
Skating on the River – River Center Arena
Dec. 11–30 | Multiple daily sessions
Raising Cane’s River Center
Ice skating returns with 75-minute sessions throughout December (closed select days for hockey games). A beloved winter tradition perfect for families, date nights, and groups.
Lanclos & Spurlock Families’ 2nd Annual Light Viewing
December 13 | 6-8 PM
Locations: Spurlock (7054 W T Hall Rd, Ethel, LA) & Lanclos (4088 Lillian Ln., Ethel, LA)
Take a scenic drive through the country and enjoy a festive Christmas light experience hosted by the Lanclos and Spurlock families. Guests can stroll through dazzling displays and enjoy:
- Hot cocoa provided by the Spurlock family
- Cookies courtesy of Birdie’s Confections and the Lanclos family
Magnolia Mound Creole Christmas & Holiday Fair
Dec. 14 | Noon–5 PM | 2161 Nicholson Dr.
Experience holiday traditions with French and Spanish songs, demonstrations, folk crafts, vendors, and the beloved bonfire to welcome Papa Noël.
The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou
Dec. 20 & 21
River Center Performing Arts Theatre
A uniquely Louisiana twist on the classic ballet, performed by Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre with Tchaikovsky’s score and a local flare.
NEW YEAR’S EVENTS
Red Stick Rising (Kids’ Celebration)
Dec. 31 | 11 AM–12:30 PM
River Center Branch Library & Town Square
Kids count down to noon with crafts, the rising Red Stick, a sing-along, and entertainment including The Amazing Bacon stilt walker.
Red Stick Revelry – Baton Rouge New Year’s Eve Celebration
Dec. 31 | Evening | Free
Rhorer Plaza & Downtown Baton Rouge
Ring in 2026 with live music, fireworks over the Mississippi River, and the iconic Red Stick drop at midnight.
Editor’s Note: Don’t see your event here? Send the details and any links to news@unfilteredwithkiran.com to be added to the list.
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