Things to Do in Baton Rouge this Weekend {March 31- April 2 }
The Family Friendly Baton Rouge weekend guide is a round-up of all the best events happening this weekend and things to do near you. No shortage of things to do in Baton Rouge with your family!
Events are subject to change, be sure to check events are as scheduled before heading out.
Things To Do in Baton Rouge This Weekend
Continuous Egg Hunt: Forest
Saturday, April 1st, 1 PM – 3 PM
BREC’s Independence Community Park
ZIPPITY ZOO FEST
Saturday, April 1 and Sunday April 2 9:30 AM – 5 PM
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Calling all Party Animals!!
Join BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo as they celebrate their 53rd birthday at Zippity Zoo Fest on April 1st and 2nd!
The whole family will enjoy our Annual spring festival complete with a live entertainment, edzoocation station, children’s village, animal enrichments, special character visits, free birthday cake and much more!
Easter Bunny at the Rowe
Saturday, April 1st, 8 AM & 12 PM
Red Stick Farmers Market 5th and Main St.
9am-11am
Breakfast pizzas are $15 and kids under 3 eat free!
***Reservations are required! Call CPK to reserve your spot today! 225-766-3840
11:30am-1:30pm
Take a selfie with the bunny in front of the fountain! In the event of rain, the bunny will move to the covered area in front of Cinemark.
*Selfies are free of charge!
Flower Fest
Saturday APR 1 AT 10 AM – Sunday APR 2 AT 4 PM
Pointe-Marie





2nd Annual Edible Book Festival
SATURDAY AT 2 PM
Main Library at Goodwood
The Edible Book Festival is an international celebration of books, food, and bad puns, held on or around April Fools’ Day each year. Participants are invited to choose a book and create an edible representation of its title or wordplay on its title. Join us as we gather at the Main Library at Goodwood on Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m. to view the bookish fare concocted to amuse, amaze, or, yes, even disgust onlookers and fellow participants. Vote for your favorites in categories such as Best in Show, Wittiest Wordplay, Least Appetizing and more! Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. and prizes will be awarded!
To submit an entry, just bring your punny, edible creation to the Library at 1 p.m. to be displayed!
Things to Do in Baton Rouge this Weekend {March 17- March 19}
The Family Friendly Baton Rouge weekend guide is a round-up of all the best events happening this weekend and things to do near you. No shortage of things to do in Baton Rouge with your family!
Events are subject to change, be sure to check events are as scheduled before heading out.
Things To Do in Baton Rouge This Weekend
Continuous Egg Hunt
Saturday, Mar 18, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Jackson Community Park








Wearin’ of the Green Parade
Saturday, March 18th, 10 AM
Wearin’ of the Green Parade rolls at 10am CST sharp starting at Hundred Oaks and South Acadian Thruway. Make your plans to join us for this lively, family-oriented parade. Festivities start early in the day with the Shamrock Run, which is held on part of the historical parade route and culminates with the parade itself!
You can expect 2 – 3 hours from the start of wherever you are standing to watch it. So, if you start seeing it at 11:00, expect it to be finished by 1:30-2pm.
Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 18th, 9 AM – 4 PM
Colonial Stables
Family-friendly fun, free admission! Photos with the Easter egg hunt, Easter Bunny, Shopping, Food trucks, Boiled crawfish, Gellyball, Bungee jump, Live bunnies and chicks, k-9 Korner, Girl Scout cookies, and more!
Baton Rouge Port Visit of NAO TRINIDAD
Saturday, March 16th – March 25th
USS KIDD Veterans Museum
One Book One Community Kickoff Party
Sunday, March 19th 4 PM – 6 PM
Main Library at Goodwood
Things to Do in Baton Rouge this Weekend {March 11- March 12}
The Family Friendly Baton Rouge weekend guide is a round-up of all the best events happening this weekend and things to do near you. No shortage of things to do in Baton Rouge with your family!
Events are subject to change, be sure to check events are as scheduled before heading out.
Things To Do in Baton Rouge This Weekend
Rockin at the Swamp
Saturday, March 11th, 9 AM – 4 PM
BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Ages: 17+ / $5
City of Walker “Let’s Fly a Kite!”
Saturday, March 11th, 10 AM – 2 PM
Sidney Hutchison Park
The Dinosaur Experience
Saturday, March 11th, 2 PM & 3:15 PM
Le Chien Brewing Company
This is a FREE event! Visit with the Dino guys from The Dinosaur Experience on the patio of Le Chien Brewing Co.! This awesome group of guys has some seriously cool pets they are bringing with them for all of us to meet! They are hosting not one but TWO show times to make sure everyone gets to see the show. Bring your Dino-loving little ones (and dino lovin adults, duh) along to the family-friendly Le Chien Brewing Co.! Can you help Ranger Martin keep his mischievous dinosaurs under control?
Holi Festival of Baton Rouge
Saturday, March 11th, 2 PM – 5 PM
Repentance Park
John James Audubon Day
Saturday, March 11th, 10 AM – 4 PM
Audubon State Historic Site (45 min. from Baton Rouge)
Nao Trinidad Tall Ship sailing to Baton Rouge for tours
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum will offer guests a step back into history with the arrival of the Nao Trinidad, a 16th-century Spanish-built replica with a rich history. The tall ship will be sailing upriver to Baton Rouge next month and be open for public tours from March 13th through the 25th on the downtown riverfront.
The Nao TRINIDAD is a Spanish-built replica of the 16th-Century flagship of the Magellan-Elcano expedition, the first to sail around the world. The original was the flagship of the Armada del Maluco (1519-1522), captained by Ferdinand Magellan. Five Naos (a ship that combined the design elements of both Mediterranean and Northern European-style ships) departed from Sevilla, but only two made it to the Spice Islands, Nao TRINIDAD was one of them. The replica Nao TRINDAD’s visit to America celebrates 500 years since the world’s first circumnavigation of the globe.
Completed after 14 months of construction on March 11, 2018, the replica Nao TRINIDAD weighs 200 gross tons, is 93ft in length with a 26ft beam. Her three masts carry five sails, with the mainmast being more than 82 feet high. Her hull contains five decks and was constructed of tropical Iroko (African hardwood) and pinewood. Nao TRINIDAD has sailed to many different ports in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic coasts of both Europe and America as a training vessel and floating museum.
The Naos have a unique and original design that made them the most advanced in naval engineering of that time, used first as cargo ships in Spain and then as exploring vessels. Nao TRINIDAD is a full-scale replica, faithful to the original’s design and dimensions. More than a hundred maritime artisans worked on her construction, including ship carpenters, rope masters and naval engineers.
Nao Trinidad Tall Ship sailing to Baton Rouge for tours
Visitors will be able to tour four decks in order to experience how 16th-Century life was like onboard and how it is to live today on an historical ship of that time. They will be able to learn about seamanship directly from the crew, who will have many amazing experiences from their long voyages to share.
While the ship is a part of history, we would never want to paint a rosy picture of a beautiful ship without the realities of the voyages and the times. We encourage everyone to dig deeper and learn more about the ships via the following articles:
10 Surprising Facts About Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the Globe
Enrique, Magellan’s elusive slave
WHAT: Tour the Nao TRINIDAD’s four decks.
WHEN: March 13th through the 25th – 9:30am to 4:30 pm
WHERE: Nao TRINIDAD will be moored alongside USS KIDD during her stay in Baton Rouge.
ADMISSION: Tickets are $25 per person (children under 5 years old with an adult are free) and include access to the USS KIDD Veterans Museum, and both ships.
The floating museum of Spanish maritime heritage has already visited dozens of ports in Spain, Mexico, the United States and Europe.
The Museum will be open for special engagement hours, 9:30am to 4:30 pm, from March 13th through March 25th (the opening date may change, due to weather possibly impacting the Nao TRINIDAD’s arrival in Baton Rouge). Because this is a multi-day event, tickets are available only at the entrance to the USS KIDD Veterans Museum on the day of visit.
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is open daily. Admission is charged. Visit the website at usskidd.com or call 225-342-1942 for more information.
Press Start! Ready, Set, Read! Program! – EBRPL
If you are or a parent or caregiver of a toddlers ages 2-4, you won’t want to miss out on East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Press Start! Ready, Set, Read! Program! The program seeks to equip children with early literacy skills that will enable them to enter school with confidence.
Press Start! Ready, Set, Read! Program!
Parents and caregivers may stop by the children’s room of any Library location to pick up a booklet that focuses on beginning literacy concepts that can be incorporated into their daily routines.
The booklets are full of fun activities that the children will enjoy while learning basic concepts that build a firm foundation for math and reading. Each monthly booklet will feature a new letter, number, color or concept, while also building on the previous month’s concepts. Children begin with booklet one, work their way through the program at their own pace, and earn rewards along the way.
Studies show that early literacy development strongly correlates to later school achievement. For this reason, EBRPL Children’s Services has developed the Press Start! program to ensure its youngest patrons get off to a good start and continue to reap the benefits once they reach school-age and beyond.
EBRPL’s Children’s Services Coordinator, Tara Dearing, commented, “Our Children’s departments at each library branch will also highlight these concepts through decorative displays, book displays, and programs each month. In fact, each month will be ‘brought to you’ by a new letter, color, or concept.”
When young patrons visit the Main Library at Goodwood, they may be excited to see a stuffed Mike the Tiger wearing a circular medallion with a number upon it and a rabbit proudly arrayed with the letter of the month.
Along with the easy activities you can do at home with your little one, reading aloud in itself has great benefits – be sure to pick up some books!
Benefits of using read-aloud:
One of the most important things adults can do in preparing children for success in reading is to read aloud with them.
- Listeners build listening and comprehension skills through discussion during and after reading.
- Listeners increase their vocabulary foundation by hearing words in context.
- Listeners improve their memory and language skills as they hear a variety of writing styles and paraphrase their understanding.
- Listeners develop individual interests in a broad variety of subjects and they develop imagination and creativity: what better way to build skills which foster inquiry?
Read to your child
Reading aloud to your children will not only give them a solid reading foundation, but it will also help them discover the joy of reading.
It’s never too early (or too late) to start reading aloud to your child. One thing we can do to kick-start the road to reading is simply to read to our children and read to them often. Discuss what you have read with your child and ask questions before, during and after your reading sessions. Create a reading nook in your home and commit to reading aloud at least once daily. Keep books readily available and take them with you when you go. Reading aloud can take place anytime, anywhere.
Make reading fun
There are many different activities that will help a child build a strong reading foundation. Mastering letters and matching lowercase letters with their sound is very helpful when a child is learning to read phonetically. Let your reader make letters out of Play-Doh, whipped topping, shaving cream, sprinkles or sand. If they are learning sight words, they can create beginning sight words with noodles or pipe cleaners.
Be the example
Monkey see, monkey do. The best example we can give to our child is to show them our love of reading. It’s one thing for us to tell a child they must read each day, it’s another for them to see us reading each day.
Enjoy the journey
There might be days when you feel as though your child will never learn to read — it can be a daunting task at times. Remind yourself that you are giving your child a gift that will truly last them a lifetime. Embrace the struggles with the lightbulb moments and enjoy making sweet memories along the way.
Press Start!
Stop by the Children’s Room of any library location to pick up your Press Start! booklet! The month of February is brought to you by the letters H, I, J & K; the numbers 7, 8, 9 & 10; and the weather concept, “rainy/wet.” Each month’s booklet introduces basic concepts with fun activities for ages 2-4 that you can fit into your daily routine and that help prepare your child for kindergarten.
Things to Do in Baton Rouge this Weekend {Feb 4th – Feb 5th}
The Family Friendly Baton Rouge weekend guide is a round-up of all the best events happening this weekend and things to do near you. With the holidays upon us, there is no shortage of things to do in Baton Rouge with your family! It’s Free First Sunday in Baton Rouge this weekend too!
Events are subject to change, be sure to check events are as scheduled before heading out.
Things To Do in Baton Rouge This Weekend
3rd Annual Krewe of Oshun Parade & Festival
Saturday, February 4th 12 PM – 6 PM
Location: 660 N Fourth St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States
BREC’s Magnolia Mound – Free First Sunday
Sunday, February 5th
Presenter: Monique Mulder
Time: 2 p.m.
Louisiana is unique in many ways, one being the long and rich history of its black catholic community. Drawing from personal experience and historical research Monique Mulder explores the history, complexities, and uniqueness of various black catholic parishes and schools that are an important but often overlooked aspect of Louisiana’s culture.
Capitol Park Museum – Free First Sunday
Sunday, February 5th
Dino-Light – Manship Theatre
Sunday, February 5th, 2 pm
Location: 100 Lafayette St, Baton Rouge
CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts
Bring your pups out for the 24th Annual CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts!! Bark in the Park begins at 10 a.m., the K9 demo by BRPD begins at 11 in front of Galvez Plaza stage, the Dog Costume Contest begins at noon on the Galvez Plaza stage, and the parade rolls at 2 down North Blvd.! Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Location: North Boulevard Town Square
225 Fest – Celebrating Baton Rouge Culture
By now, you’ve undoubtedly seen the brightly colored branding for 225 Fest all over social media, it immediately caught our attention, and he had to learn more. The innuagrual street festival was created to celebrate everything we love about Baton Rouge Culture while spotlighting local vendors, artists, organizations, and businesses.
Bring out the entire family to celebrate #225Day on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, from 10 am-2 pm for the inaugural festival kicking off in Downtown Baton Rouge on N. Fourth St. & The Capital Park Museum!
225 Fest – Celebrating Baton Rouge Culture
“We’re on an ambitious mission to defy sterotypes, data points, and rankings that don’t tell the full story of what it means to love Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has historically meant BE RESILIENT. We’re the springboard for ambitious college students. We’re refuge to neighboring cities and states during hurricane season. AND home to best creatives, families and innovators.”
- Street Festival Entrance: North St. & N.Fourth St.
- Street Festival: Food trucks, vendors, art walk & mini health fair
- Capitol Park Museum: Kids Activities, Panel Discussions, $5 Museum Tours & Restroom
This festival culminates the rich history of Baton Rouge and the culture that powers the capital region combined with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop!
WHAT: 225 Fest
- 80+ Vendors & Food Trucks
- 30+ Health care vendors
- Art Walk with 25+ local creatives
- Kid’s Discovery Day with 12+ activities
- 4 Panel Discussions
- 1 Millennial Day Party
- Live Performances & More
WHEN: Sat, February 25th
10 am-2 pm
WHERE: N. Fourth St. & Capitol Park Museum
ADMISSION: This event is free & open to the public
Please register today and celebrate the future of Baton Rouge with us: www.225fest.com
Bonfires on the Levee – A Louisiana Christmas Eve Tradition
One of Louisiana’s favorite Christmas traditions is the Bonfires on the Levee, a niche staple of the River Parishes’ culture. The tradition of lighting bonfires on the river levees dates back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans.
Bonfires on the Levee, often called Christmas Eve Bonfires, is a centuries-old holiday tradition just a short drive from Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana’s River Parishes. During the weeks that follow Thanksgiving, families, and friends come together atop the Mississippi River levees to construct nearly two hundred 20-foot-high wooden bonfires that celebrate and honor the region’s storied past. Parades, festivals, and open houses during Bonfire Season build anticipation for the spectacular Bonfires on the Levee on Christmas Eve.
What are the Bonfires on the Levee?
These massive bonfires on the river levees are intended to light the way for “Papa Noël,” the Cajun Santa Claus. Louisianans gather to watch these spectacular bonfires and enjoy a free show, and, in some locales, free bowls of hot gumbo are served up by local residents. The blazes are often accompanied by displays of fireworks, set off by the fires themselves.
The earliest bonfires on the levees were relatively simple in design and assembly, with long logs arranged into a pyramid-shaped cone, some as high as twenty feet. Shorter horizontal logs holding the structure in place gave it a ladder-like appearance. – NewOrelans.com
The Christmas bonfires are mostly pyramid-shaped, but some can be more fanciful assemblages paying tribute to each area’s culture and heritage—shapes ranging from replica paddlewheel steamships to local critters like alligators or pelicans. Bonfires are built by families, friends and co-workers who visit, cook and mingle between the fires. It’s a local celebration with an environment akin to football tailgating, and the practice has continued for generations. – Louisianatravel.com
When are the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the levee?
At dusk, usually around 7:00 p.m., the structures are doused and set ablaze, lighting the sky and the surrounding area with towering flames that would be impossible for Papa Noël and his reindeer to miss.
Where are the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the levee?
Just drive down state highways 18 and 44 on Christmas Eve, and you’ll notice long lines of spectators’ cars parked at the foot of the levees.
The best viewing is by car along the east- and west-bank River Roads and by walking along the levees. Private Bonfire gatherings are held along the river, but onlookers passing by on foot will likely be offered a smile and some holiday cheer.
Blood, Sweat and Bonfires
You can see the bullfrog come to life when it’s lit up on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. sharp. The group is located on the levee in Garyville, with a big, wooden #1 marking their spot.
Festival of the Bonfires
LIGHTING OF THE BONFIRES FOR PAPA NOEL
It is recommended that you get into the area before 6:00 PM. The fires will be lit at 7:00 PM. Try spending the afternoon, walking the levee, taking pictures and touring the museum. Parking is available in lots along LA 641. Please do not park in lots that are roped off! There will be a 3 to 4 block walk to the levee. If you are interested in driving through, take LA 3213 to LA 44 (Exit before the bridge). This will take you to the first bonfire. Drive along River Road through Gramercy & Lutcher.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From Baton Rouge, Take I-10 East to Gramercy Exit, Travel South on U.S. Hwy 61 (Airline Hwy.) to LA Hwy. 3274 (approx. 7 miles on right), Turn Right on LA Hwy. 3125 to LA Hwy. 3193 (Lutcher Ave.) to festival site.
2022 Algiers Holiday Bonfire and Concert
Algiers’ biggest annual holiday celebration and New Orleans’ only official holiday bonfire, the Algiers Bonfire is the neighborhood’s largest public event and pays tribute to Louisiana’s river parish bonfire tradition. Listen to musical performances, eat food from local vendors, and shop at the holiday craft market. The star of the event however, is the 30’ sculptural bonfire, designed by NOLA Burners, which is then set ablaze. Easily accessible via the Algiers ferry, and with the New Orleans’ skyline as the perfect backdrop, this event cannot be missed!
This event is free and open to the public! However, in order to improve on this event every year, as well as to track where attendees are from, they ask that you register here!
2022 Bonfire:
December 3, 2022
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
200 Morgan St. New Orleans, LA 70114, which is the land immediately down River from the Algiers Ferry Terminal
Atchafalaya Christmas Swamp Tour with Papa Noël
Beyond the world-famous airboat and swamp tours offered at McGee’s Swamp Tours, they also host special events throughout the year that celebrate our Joie de vie (joy of life)! Christmas-themed tours led by Papa Noël, the Atchafalaya Christmas Swamp Tour, is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays! The family fun doesn’t stop with Christmas, as these tours also introduce guests to Louisiana’s unique swamp environment and heritage.
Atchafalaya Christmas Swamp Tour


Papa Noël
Around the world Santa Claus has many names. But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, he’s known as Papa Noël. In such a hot and humid place, there can be no sleds or reindeer, so Papa Noël rides the river in a boat pulled by eight alligators.
Papa Noël is headed back to the Atchafalaya Basin for the fifth year! McGee’s is again offering swamp tours led by Papa Noël (aka Santa Claus) himself! Alas, the 60-minute tour will share the story of “The Cajun Night Before Christmas.”
After each tour there will be family photos with Santa, ornament decorating (with a swamp-theme), hot chocolate, cookies, and candy-canes. All included in the price of your tour!
WHEN:
-
December – 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23
-
Tour Departures at 9:00AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM, 2:00PM, 3:30PM and 4:00PM.
WHERE:
MCGEE’S SWAMP TOURS
1337 HENDERSON LEVEE RD.
HENDERSON, LA 70517
337-228-2384
ADMISSION:
-
Children and Adults: $25.00
-
Children (under 2 years): FREE
Roz is a wife and mother of two, who loves traveling and experiencing life to the fullest. Raised in Southern Africa, she has lived in the UK, Thailand, and now the USA. She enjoys camping with her family, exploring new places, and sitting by a campfire. When she is not working, you will find her shouting for her kids on the soccer field, jogging with loud music in her ears, or creating art with her kids.
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