Fall fun is in full swing in Baton Rouge and beyond! 🎃🍂 This weekend brings some of our favorite family-friendly Halloween traditions, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and outdoor adventures.
From Boo at the Zoo and Swamp Haunted Hikes to the FREE Walker Fall Festival & Gospel Concert, there are plenty of opportunities to make memories with the kids without traveling far from home.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly outing, a not-so-spooky Halloween adventure, or a day at the pumpkin patch, we’ve rounded up family-friendly things to do in Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Walker, and surrounding communities for October 16–18, 2026.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Swamp Haunted Hikes at Bluebonnet Swamp
Time: 6–9 PM
Location: Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, 10503 N. Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge
Admission: $6 adults; $8 children ages 3–17; ages 2 and under free
Looking for Halloween fun without the scares? BREC’s Swamp Haunted Hikes are designed especially for younger children!
Families can explore the swamp trails after dark, discover creepy critters, encounter costumed characters, and enjoy games, crafts, and spooky storytelling.
Costumes are encouraged, and don’t forget your flashlight! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Details: Swamp Haunted Hikes
Merry-Not-Scary Halloween at West Baton Rouge Museum
Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
Location: West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen
Admission: FREE
Bring the little ghosts and goblins for a family-friendly Halloween celebration at the West Baton Rouge Museum!
Enjoy trick-or-treating, vintage games, crafts, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin patch activities, and live entertainment, including performers from Circus Louisiana.
Costumes are welcome! Bring a treat bag and a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the entertainment.
Details: Merry-Not-Scary Halloween
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Boo at the Zoo
Time: 9:30 AM–5 PM; last admission at 4 PM
Location: BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, 3000 Zoo Circle, Baton Rouge
Admission: $10 adults; $7 children ages 2–12, plus tax; ages 1 and under free; zoo members free
One of Baton Rouge’s favorite Halloween traditions returns!
Dress the kids in their favorite costumes and head to the zoo for trick-or-treat stations, festive photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets, entertainment, and special Halloween-themed animal enrichment activities.
It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween while visiting the animals!
Boo at the Zoo continues Sunday, October 18, as well.
Details: Boo at the Zoo
City of Walker Fall Festival & Gospel Concert
Time: 4–8:30 PM
Location: Sidney Hutchinson Park, 30445 Corbin Avenue, Walker
Admission: FREE
The City of Walker is celebrating fall with an evening of family fun and live gospel music!
Activities are scheduled to include pumpkin painting, hayrides, a petting zoo, mechanical bull, Kids Village, games, scavenger hunt, food trucks, and local vendors.
Stay for the gospel concert and enjoy a fall evening outdoors with family and friends.
Details: Walker Fall Festival & Gospel Concert
Corn Maze at Burden
Date: Saturday, October 17
Location: LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge
Admission: $17.50 ages 13 and older; $15 ages 3–12; ages 2 and under free
Get ready for a day of classic fall fun at the Corn Maze at Burden!
Families can navigate the corn maze, enjoy hayrides, explore the sunflower field, visit farm animals, play in the corn crib, and enjoy other seasonal activities.
Timed sessions are offered, but not every session is available on every date. Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged, and gate admission is not guaranteed.
Details and tickets: Corn Maze at Burden
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
Boo at the Zoo — Second Day!
Time: 9:30 AM–5 PM; last admission at 4 PM
Location: BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge
Admission: Regular zoo admission; members free
Missed Saturday’s Halloween fun? You have another opportunity to enjoy Boo at the Zoo on Sunday!
Come in costume and enjoy the trick-or-treat stations, character appearances, Halloween photo opportunities, and animal exhibits.
Details: Boo at the Zoo
Trunk or Treat in Gonzales
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Time: 2–5 PM
Location: 13344 Highway 44, Gonzales, LA
Admission: Not specified in the listing.
Looking for another opportunity to wear those Halloween costumes? Head to Gonzales for an afternoon of trunk-or-treating!
This event is a convenient Sunday afternoon option for families in Ascension Parish who want to enjoy some Halloween fun close to home.
More information: Baton Rouge Family Fun’s 2026 Trunk-or-Treat Guide
ALL-WEEKEND FALL FUN
Boucherie & Balloon Festival
Friday–Sunday, October 16–18, 2026
Times:
- Friday: 4:30–11 PM
- Saturday: Noon–11 PM
- Sunday: Noon–6 PM
Location: 9690 Airline Highway, Sorrento, LA
Admission: FREE! Donations welcome; carnival rides, food, and balloon experiences cost extra.
The Boucherie & Balloon Festival returns to Sorrento for three days of family fun, delicious Louisiana food, live music, and hot air balloons!
Families can enjoy carnival rides, colorful hot air balloons, evening balloon glows, local vendors, and plenty of festival food. The celebration also features traditional jambalaya and cracklin cookoffs.
BRFF TIP: Balloon activities are weather-dependent, so check for updates before heading out.
More information: Boucherie & Balloon Festival Boucherie Festival
St. Mark Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
Friday–Saturday, October 16–17, 2026
Times:
- Friday: 5–8 PM; trunk-or-treat begins at 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
Location: St. Mark Catholic Church, 42021 Highway 621, Gonzales, LA
Admission: FREE!
Bring the family for two days of fall festivities at St. Mark Catholic Church in Gonzales!
Friday evening features trunk-or-treating and a vendor market. The celebration continues Saturday with local vendors, a car show, food, a pumpkin patch, live music, and more.
This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy Halloween festivities close to home without spending a fortune.
More information: St. Mark Catholic Church
NewSong Church Pumpkin Patch — Prairieville
Friday and Saturday: 9 AM–6 PM
Sunday: Noon–6 PM
Location: 18465 Old Perkins Road, Prairieville
Admission: FREE entry; pumpkins available for purchase
For a relaxed fall outing close to home, visit the NewSong Church Pumpkin Patch in Prairieville.
Browse pumpkins and gourds, take fall family photos, and let the kids enjoy outdoor games and activities. Free hayrides are offered on weekends.
Proceeds from pumpkin sales support church mission projects.
Details: NewSong Pumpkin Patch
MORE FALL FUN AROUND BATON ROUGE
Looking for even more Halloween happenings, pumpkin patches, or trick-or-treat opportunities?
Explore our seasonal family guides:
🎃 2026 Baton Rouge Area Trunk-or-Treat Guide
🌽 2026 Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide
Make some memories this weekend! Whether you’re exploring a pumpkin patch, enjoying a Halloween adventure, or attending a free community festival, there’s plenty of fall fun waiting for your family in Baton Rouge and beyond.
Event details, prices, and schedules are subject to change. Please confirm with organizers before attending.