The 2023 Guide to Baton Rouge Holiday Events
Are you visiting Baton Rouge with kids or looking for fun things to do with kids in the Baton Rouge area? The holiday season in Baton Rouge is beyond joyful for families; there are dozens of holiday events for families in the area!
Baton Rouge Holiday Guide Featured Sponsors
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
The Children’s Hospital New Orleans specialty clinic is now relocated to a new, expanded multi-specialty clinic, located in the heart of Baton Rouge’s medical district on the campus of Baton Rouge General Medical Center. The new clinic features 24 exam rooms, 2 treatment rooms and a dedicated room for echocardiograms. The expanded clinic will allow for increased capacity, expanded provider coverage for our pediatric subspecialties, and the addition of mental and behavioral health services. From the CHNOLA BR family to yours we wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Guide to Baton Rouge Holiday Events
Check out our event categories and jump straight to that section by clicking below to see all of the family friendly holiday events in and around Baton Rouge this year! If you have kids in Baton Rouge, you won’t want to miss all the festivities!
Holiday Shopping & Art | Holiday Outdoor Fun | Holiday Indoor Fun | Holiday Entertainment
Baton Rouge Art Market
November 4, 8am-12pm
Merry Market at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center
November 11-12
White Light Night
November 17, 6:00-10:00pm in Mid City
Holiday Market at the Mill 2023
November 17-18
The hours for the Holiday Market at the Mill are as follows:
FRIDAY EARLY BIRD | 9:00-11:00
($12.50 – GOOD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND)
($15 AT THE DOOR)
FRIDAY | 11:00-7:00
($7.50 – GOOD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND)
($10 AT THE DOOR)
SATURDAY | 10:00-5:00
($7.50 – GOOD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND)
($10 AT THE DOOR)
Christmas Open House at Denham Springs’ Antique Village
November 25, 10:00am-4:00pm
Christmas at Coteau
November 30-December 2
Head down to Grand Coteau, LA for a full market experience. Christmas at Coteau features a preview party, makers’ market, breakfast with Santa and a gumbo cookoff. Purchase tickets here: http://www.ash1821.org/…/chris…/tickets-and-reservations
Christmas at Conway
December 2, 9am-2pm
Join us for “Christmas at Conway”, a spectacular Holiday Market on Saturday, December 2nd, from 9 am – 2 pm. This delightful event is open to all and absolutely FREE to attend!
Promising a day that’s as sparkly as the tinsel on the Christmas tree, we’ll have treasures galore. From face painting to balloons, and pop-up shopping to food trucks – there’s something for everyone.
Sway to live music as you browse unique holiday gifts 🎶, and don’t forget to say hello to Mrs. Claus! Yes, she’ll be there, ready to spread Christmas cheer.
Whether you’re capping off your Christmas shopping or just soaking in the festive vibes, this event is sure to stir up a jolly holiday mood!
So come along, invite your friends and family & let’s make Christmas at Conway an event to remember!
Baton Rouge Arts Market – Festival of Lights
December 1, 4:00-8:00pm
Come check out the best gift items for less than $50- such as Jewelry, Ceramics, Fiber arts (ie: clothes), wood vendors that have kitchen items, child-themed items, holiday keepsakes, etc. Admission is $30.
Christmas Marché in North Park
December 2, 10:00am-4:00pm
Come out December 2nd, 10am-4pm for Denham Springs Big Christmas Market! Come check out Christmas Marché in North Park! 100+ Vendors, The Cajun Ninja and Mrs. Cajun Ninja, Santa Pictures, Face Painting, Bounce House, Free children’s craft corner, Food Trucks and More!!
Agape’s 5th Annual Family Christmas Market
December 2, 2:00-6:00pm
We would love for you to join us on Saturday, December 2nd from 2-6pm for this one-night, outdoor event! We pray this is a blessing for Agape families and the community, as we celebrate the Christmas season! Our desire is to provide an exciting and joyful night for families where both adults and children can enjoy food, fun, and shopping with local vendors and makers! All proceeds from the market help to further Agape’s mission to teach the whole child- spiritually, emotionally, and cognitively with a strong understanding that they are deeply loved by our Heavenly Father. The market is open to the public and there is no admission fee to enter.
Gonzales Holiday Market
December 8-10, 10:00am-5:00pm Friday and Saturday, 10:00am-4:00 Sunday
The debut of the new public holiday market will take place December 8-10, 2023, at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The special holiday market will feature booths for shoppers to browse the newest and hottest trends in jewelry, home décor, women’s apparel, and holiday merchandise all under one big roof.
Tickets for the holiday market are $10 per day or $25 for a weekend pass and can be purchased online at http://www.attexpomarket.
The special holiday market is open to all ticketed attendees ages nine and above, and those ages nine to 15 must be accompanied by an adult. All infants must be carried in a front or back carrying pack.
For more information on the Gonzales Holiday Market, visit www.
St. Jean Vianney Christmas Market
December 9, 9:00am-6:00pm
Get ready to shop! St. Jean Vianney Catholic School will hold its second annual Christmas Market on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 9am-6 pm in the school gymnasium. This is a great way to get your holiday shopping done in a fun and festive setting!
There will be over 50 booths featuring popular boutiques and artists including Forever Lillies, Texture, Giggles, Messengers Gifts, Tina Lahaye Jewelry and HTG Earrings. The Tipsy Gypsy Traveling Bar will also be on hand selling specialty drinks and wine. The market is open to the public and admission is $10 at the door
Creole Christmas and Holiday Fair
December 10, 12:00-5:00pm
Magnolia Mound’s popular, annual holiday event returns this year. Come visit us for this annual holiday event featuring seasonal decorations in the historic house. We will have traditional songs in French and Spanish sung by local school children, period demonstrations, folk crafts, and booths from local vendors. We’ll close out the event with the annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel!
Admission to Creole Christmas is FREE.
Running of the Elves 5k
November 18, 8:00am
Pancakes with Santa and Mrs. Clause at Barn Hill Preserve
Saturdays and Sundays between November 18th and December 17th, 9am-11am and 11am-1pm
Pancakes with Santa and Mrs. Clause at Barn Hill Preserve is a perfect chance to snag holiday photos with your kiddos and Santa. The event will feature a petting zoo, crafts, wagon rides, a letter to Santa, and much more. Tickets are $25 a person and children under 2 years old are free.
Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General
November 19 – December 31
Baton Rouge Turkey Trot 2023
November 23, 7:30am
Come run, walk or jog the 5K or the 1 mile fun run with your family and friends and #earnyourturkey
Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans
November 23- December 30
City Park’s largest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks, is THE New Orleans holiday family tradition. This incredible light festival has enchanted Park visitors since the 1980s and is vital to the Park’s maintenance, care, and beautification year-round. Make memories with your loved ones in City Park this holiday season.
Zoolights
November 24- December 30 at the Baton Rouge Zoo
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Round up your crew, bundle up, and dive into a winter wonderland like never before. Head to brzoo.org/zoolights for more details
Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival
November 24 – December 31, 5:30-10:30PM
Beginning in 2015, Island View Casino & Resort and The City of Gulfport collaborated to bring a Winter Holiday Festival to the Mississippi Gulf Coast unlike any other holiday show in the State of Mississippi. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, visit with Santa Claus, and hop on a train at the Train Station. Join us for a magical coastal holiday experience filled with memories to last the whole family a lifetime!
CKPC Holiday Express Train
November 30 from 4-8pm, December 1 4-8PM
The CPKC Holiday Express will stop in Gonzales on November 30th from 4-8pm. The Gonzales stop will be along railway tracks at Felix Avenue and East Ascension street.
The train will be in Baton Rouge on December 1st from 4-8pm along the railway tracks of Government and S. 15th street.
Uptown Scotlandville Christmas Tree Lighting
December 1st, 6-9PM
Join the Uptown Scotlandville Christmas Tree Lighting for food trucks, fenders, activities for the kids, games, and more. THis Baton Rouge community event is free and open to the public.
StoryTime in the Garden
December 2
Christmas on Pointe
December 2, 10:00am
Pointe-Marie’s annual event Christmas on Pointe will feature food trucks, crafts, a Christmas Market, games, a DJ, and pictures with Santa. This year they are partnering with CAAWS, offering on-site cuddles and adoption. Children under 12 are free. Pre-sale tickets for $20 for all other attendees and $25 at the door.
A Rural Life Christmas
December 3, 10:00am-5:00pm
Ho! Ho! Holidays begin with this yearly 19th-century Louisiana celebration. Musical groups, demonstrating artisans, storytellers, and costumed re-enactors will be present to set the holiday mood. The event will conclude with a bonfire and a very special guest.
Advance tickets are available to purchase at https://bit.ly/46z9p7J
Ticket prices:
Age 0 – 3: Free
Age 4 – 11: $10
Age 12+: $12
Snow & Glow at Holiday Lights
Dates TBA
Join us at Baton Rouge General’s Holiday Lights for our exclusive family-friendly event, Snow & Glow, featuring snow, glow-in-the-dark performer, a chance to jingle and mingle with Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves and more. Food trucks will also be on site with food available for purchase.
Noel Acadien au Village
December 1-23
LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette hosts its 23 night Christmas festival fundraiser annually in December to benefit LARC, a local 501c(3) non-profit organization benefiting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Noel Acadien au Village features half-a-million lights, including the fully lit Chapel, NEW ANIMATIONS, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping in the Christmas Store and much more!
Reindeer Ride – BREC’s Farr Park
December 1, 6:00-8:00PM
Welcome the holiday season with a unique, 8-mile nighttime family bike ride. Ride up the levy from Farr Park campground to downtown Baton Rouge to be a part of Baton Rouge’s Downtown Christmas Lighting Celebration. Participants will leave the levy trailhead and join in a colorful bike parade through the downtown area, participate in the many fun activities, and return together. Bring your own bike or rent one of ours! The price to participate is $10 and this is for children 8 years old and up.
City of Walker Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park
December 2, 11:00am-3:00PM
Park: 1pm to 3pm. Includes Farmer’s Market, live music, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and children’s games and activities provided by local churches and businesses.
For more information contact: [email protected] or call 225.665.3755.
A December to Remember: A Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
December 2, 5:30pm-8:30PM
37th Annual Christmas in Central Parade
December 3, 11:00am
The parade starts at 11:00am!
Santa Rocks the Rowe
December 9, 5:00-8:00pm
Santa Rocks the Rowe will feature pictures with Santa by Cherry Hill, live music, face painting, crafts, games, and more! This event is free and open to the public.
Sensory Santa at North Sherwood Forest Community Park
December 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Come right down to Candy Cane Lane and take your picture with the Santa Clause! Children and adults with intellectual, developmental or sensory processing disorders have an opportunity to enjoy activities and have one on one time to take a picture with Santa in partnership with Families Helping Families, without the hassle of standing in long holiday lines.
Zachary Hometown Christmas Parade
December 9, 10:00am
The cool temps have us dreaming of Toys, Trains, & Candy Canes! The train leaves the station Saturday, December 9th at 10am.
Let it Sneaux at Perkins Road Community Park
December 9, 5:00-8:00pm
Come and celebrate the holiday season with us! Join us as we celebrate at Let it Sneaux. There will be live entertainment, free photos with Santa, smores, hot chocolate, and so much more! So come out and enjoy a day filled with family fun entertainment.
2023 Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade
December 9, 5:30-7:30pm
The parade is a family friendly event, and provides merriment and joy in each element of the evening. Cortana Kiwanis supports many worthy causes with the proceeds from the parade, including Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; defibrillators for local organizations serving children; and the Bringing Up Grades program in elementary schools, just to name a few.
2023 Denham Springs Kiwanis Christmas Parade
December 9
Join the Denham Springs Kiwanis Club for this family-friendly event.
Magnolia Mound Creole Christmas + Holiday Fair
December 10, 12:00-5:00pm
Visit historic Magnolia Mound for this yearly Christmas fete. It will feature seasonal decorations in the historic house. THey will have traditional songs in French and Spanish, period demonstrations, folk crafts, and booths from local vendors. We’ll close out the event with the annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel!
Holly Jolly Family Day in the Park
December 10, 2:00-5:00pm
Join BREC as they get into the spirit of the holiday season at BREC’s Holly Jolly Family Day in the Park at Plank Road Park on December 10 from 2-5 p.m. Activities will include cookie decorating and visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause, music and more.
For more information or to volunteer at this event, email [email protected]
Reindog Run
December 16, 9:00am-1:00pm
Comite River Conservation Area is calling dogs of all sizes (and their people) to join us for our 1st annual Reindog Run! Whether you have a Scrappy Doo or a Clifford they have a spot for them! Register by November 17th to get a race shirt. Stick around after the race for awards, food, and drinks. Prizes will be awarded to the first place in every weight category as well as overall best costume between all sizes. This event is for kiddos 8 years old and up and registration is $35.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro
November 5 – December 24
Experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland at your local Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s!
Santa CAWWS
November 5, 10:00am
Christmas Craft Kookie Decorating Class
December 1st, 6:30 PM
December 8th, 6:30 PM
December 15th , 6:30 PM
Gingerbread House Making – North St.
December 2, 6:00-8:00pm
Charlie Brown Christmas
December 2, 7:00-10:00pm
Hankies2Hope Christmas Mothers Tea
December 3, 2:00-5:00pm
Gingerbread House Making – Saia
December 9, 6:00-8:00pm
Mingle with Kringle
December 9, 10:00am-12:00pm
Candy Land Christmas
December 10, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Individual: $35
Special Needs Children (50% Discount): $15
Meet Papa Noel
December 16, 1:00pm-3:00pm
2nd Annual Christmas at Tractor Supply
December 16, 9:00am-2:00pm and December 17, 1:00-7:00pm
This two-day market on beautiful False River is free and open to the public. Bring your chair and heaters, and come enjoy the fun! The 2AM Band will be returning this year as entertainment.
Louisiana Art & Science Museum – A Very Merry Museum
December 17, 10:00am-5:00pm
Gingerbread House Making – Kernan
December 19, 6:00-8:00pm
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
December 21, 7:00pm
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is an unforgettable experience for the entire family to enjoy a world-class circus experience infused with the holiday classics we all love. Treat your family and create memories you will cherish forever at Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland!
BRBT presents Land of the Sweets Nutcracker Tea
November 26, 2:00pm
Chamber Series Holiday Brass 2023
November 30, 7:30-9:00pm
This special concert featuring the full BRSO brass and percussion is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. The glorious Our Lady of Mercy Church provides the perfect setting for brass renditions of holiday favorites. This is the only location where you can experience the famous cathedral organ accompanying some of the most beloved traditional carols.
George Bell and Friends: “11TH Annual Evening of Holiday Jazz”
December 1, 7:30pm
Please join George Bell and Friends for one night only at the newly renovated River Center Performing Arts Theatre for their 11th Annual Evening of Holiday Jazz performance. After years of mostly sold-out multi-night performances at the Manship Theatre, this year’s much-anticipated show will take place over one special evening in the larger River Center Performing Arts Theatre. Once again, George is joined by GB & Friends veterans Herman Jackson, drums; Harry Anderson, bass; Andy Bourgeois, piano and keyboards; Dr. Greg Ward, percussion and harmonica; and a host of other supporting artists from his past shows. George is especially delighted to have recording artist Quiana Lynell, winner of the 2017 Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocalist Contest, return this year. Quiana’s soul-stirring performance on O Holy Night, accompanied by Trenise Gautier on harp, showcased her classically trained, four-octave range.
Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas
December 3, 2:00-3:00pm
Brighten your holiday with this electric production about family, friendship, and hope for all ages. Songs from Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole, and others will be featured.
Cool Winter Nights and Hot Jazz
December 5 & 6, 7:30pm
The 12th Annual Cool Winter Nights and Hot Jazz will feature Brian Shaw, Robin Barnes, Willis Delony, Fr. Greg Daigle, and a Cool Winter Nights jazz ensemble in a program of new arrangements and holiday favorites.
DAILEY AND VINCENT CHRISTMAS SHOW
PRESENTED BY MANSHIP THEATRE
December 8, 7:30PM
The Dailey and Vincent Christmas Show is a heartwarming holiday musical event that showcases the talents of Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, renowned bluegrass and country musicians. Through their exceptional vocal harmonies, instrumental prowess, and festive repertoire, the duo brings the spirit of Christmas to life.
Baton Rouge Symphony’s Home for the Holidays
December 9, 2:00-4:00pm
Holiday favorites for the entire family!
Holiday favorites for the entire family! Join your BRSO and BRSO Chorus at the River Center Theater for this family favorite!
This concert will feature seasonal melodies and music from favorites like Polar Express, Home Alone, The Nutcracker, and Sleigh Ride. Ring in the season with the biggest carol sing-along in Baton Rouge, and make this concert an annual tradition for the whole family!
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
December 10, 2:00pm and 4:30pm
What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, Nancy has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? This show is recommended for children 2 years old and up.
The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou
December 16 & 17, 2:00 and 6:00pm each day
Get ready to relive the magic of Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s annual holiday production, The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou! The show returns to its home stage, the Baton Rouge River Center Theatre for Performing Arts, and we are so very excited for this “Homecoming”! Once again, you’ll be enchanted by the full sets of Nels Anderson, our favorite magical moments like the rising of the hot air balloon, and of course, the beautiful dancing of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre and guest artists, Madison Keesler and Francisco Estevez as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier! These tickets are sure to be a hot seller so don’t wait too long to purchase yours!
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
December 21, 7:00pm
St. Jean Vianney is having a Holiday Market on December 8th. Over 50 vendors $10 at the door. It’s the first annual Holiday Market.