Grab your cameras and your Christmas cheer, and get ready to enjoy the magic of the season. The Festival of Lights, Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition, transforms the winter sky into a wonderland on December 3rd from 4-8 pm.
Welcome the holidays with half a million sparkling lights on North Boulevard, a 35-foot Christmas tree, a snow village complete with ice skating, and a visit from Santa Claus himself! Watch as the magic lights up before your eyes with a fireworks show and the annual tree lighting ceremony in North Boulevard Town Square.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Skating begins at 4 PM – Ages 5-10 Only
Snow Village begins at 5 PM – Ages 5-15 Only
Snow in Baton Rouge??? Yep, 10 tons of real snow will be ready and waiting for the kids at Repentance Park! Repentance Park is located between the Old State Capitol and River Center. Enjoy Baton Rouge’s very own Rockefeller Center-style ice skating rink located on the first floor of the River Center Plaza, where festival-goers can stand on the balcony and watch the children skate around the plaza!
HOLIDAY FILM SCREENINGS – 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
From 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., you can enjoy screenings of your favorite holiday classics, such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman, at Harley/Vey Theatres.
TREE LIGHTING & FIREWORKS – 6:00pm to 6:25pm
Mayor Broome will countdown the City’s Christmas Tree lighting along with half a million sparkling lights on North Boulevard. Experience the magic beneath the 25-foot Christmas tree on North Boulevard and marvel over the elaborate fireworks show on the Mississippi River! While you await the countdown, you can support Louisiana Youth Orchestra by shopping their bake sale, where baked goods, hot chocolate, and popcorn will be available for purchase, or let the kids decorate a personalized ornament to cherish for years to come.
The preferred area for viewing the fireworks will be North Boulevard at Town Square, facing the Christmas Tree and Mississippi River.
SANTA & Mrs. Claus – 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Santa will assist Mayor Broome to countdown the lighting of Baton Rouge’s Christmas Tree! Afterward, you are invited to the Louisiana Old State Capitol for a special photo-op and other holiday festivities. Louisiana’s Old State Capitol will host their annual “Santa in The Senate” on Friday, Dec. 3rd, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
Guests of the Old State Capitol will have the opportunity to take their photo with Mr. & Mrs. Claus in the old Senate Chamber and then enjoy a Christmas film in the old House Chamber. In addition, there will be arts and crafts for children to partake in and a special treat upon exiting the building.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Mayor’s Stage at Galvez Plaza
6:25p.m. – 8:00p.m. – “Swing into Christmas” with Ned Fasullo
You can catch local choirs, dance studios, and bands performing on the Community Stage throughout the evening.
Experience the magic of the holidays with Bayou Cirque‘s Krampus, Jack Frost, Winter Witch, Winter Fairies, Santa’s Elves, and more!
LIVE NATIVITY – 5:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Downtown Baton Rouge will be in the holiday spirit with tons of activities going on. Most of the downtown churches and museums participate in the evening by having live nativity scenes, giving away hot chocolate, singing Christmas carols, and much more!
ARTIST VILLAGE
Produced by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, this year’s Artists Village at the Festival of Lights will be located in the Rhorer Plaza Lawn. Over ten local artists will be selling handmade crafts to complete your Christmas shopping list. Along with the artists, the festival will include a bake sale, hot chocolate for sale, and multiple food vendors.
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