Experience the magic of the holidays in Baton Rouge! ✨ From twinkling light displays and festive parades to Santa visits and ice skating, our 2025 Baton Rouge Christmas & Holiday Events Guide has everything you need to make this season merry and bright. Discover the best family-friendly holiday fun happening across Baton Rouge and beyond — updated all season long!

We’re updating this guide with new 2025 holiday events daily! Check back often for the latest Baton Rouge Holiday family fun.

Thanks to The Merriest Mile and BREC’s Let it Sneaux
for sponsoring the 2025 Baton Rouge Family Fun Christmas Events Guide!

The Merriest Mile is a Christmas Light Adventure that will light up your family’s holiday season! Located at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds, this enchanting Christmas light display is sure to become your favorite family tradition. 

Enjoy a magical afternoon with live music, photos with Santa, a mini makers’ market, and the return of the holiday drone show, December 13th, 2–6 PM at Perkins Road Community Park.

Baton Rouge Holiday Events

We do our best to keep this guide accurate and up to date, but event details can change! Please check with each organizer before attending to confirm times, dates, and admission information.

The Merriest Mile 
November 28th – December 28th

✨ Make memories that sparkle this holiday season! I am so excited to share one of Louisiana’s most magical Christmas experiences with you – The Merriest Mile! Born from two Christmas-loving dads wanting to create something special for their children, this mile-long drive-through light spectacular at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds will be pure holiday magic! The Merriest Mile will include Louisiana’s tallest 50-foot MegaTree with its 30,000 dancing lights, and the kids had a blast spotting hidden red crawfish and green alligators along the way! The best part? You can enjoy it all from the comfort of your car – just tune your radio to their station and watch as the lights dance to your favorite holiday tunes. From the animated band to Mrs. Claus’ cookie factory and the Reindeer Flight School, every turn brings a new festive surprise! Pro tip: Put the kids in their Christmas PJs, bring some hot cocoa, and make it an unforgettable family night out!

When: November 28 – December 28
Location: Livingston Parish Fairgrounds
19869 Fairgrounds Rd, Livingston, LA
Admission: 
More Info: Learn more here

Tickets are available now at www.themerriestmile.com. This is one holiday tradition you’ll want to start or continue with your family! ❤️

Let It Sneaux

Details: Who says it can’t snow in Baton Rouge? Enjoy a magical afternoon with live music, photos with Santa, a mini makers’ market, and the return of the holiday drone show!
When: December 13th, 2–6 PM
Location: Perkins Road Community Park
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Baton Rouge ZooLights

Details: Join BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo for Zoolights, presented by Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital! Discover the magic of the season as the zoo transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland filled with dazzling light displays and holiday cheer.
When: November 28 – December 30, 5:30–8 PM (Grounds close at 9 PM)
Location: Baton Rouge Zoo 13350 Highway 19, Baker, LA 70714
Admission:

• Adults/Teens: $5
• Seniors: $4
• Children (2-12): $3
• Children (1 and under): Free
• Zoo Members: $3 per person

More Info: Learn more here

Louisiana Lights

Details: Stroll through illuminated garden rooms, enchanted forests, and shimmering tunnels of light at the Burden Museum & Gardens. Featuring fireflies, Moravian stars, doves, and stunning landscapes beneath majestic oaks and twinkling crape myrtles.
When: November 28 – December 30
Location: 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge
Admission: Tickets are available for timed entry every 30 minutes starting at 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tickets are $22.00 per person ages 4 and up, children 3 and under are free.
More Info: Learn more here.

Baton Rouge General Holiday Lights

Details: Step into a world of enchantment as BRG lights up the night with dancing-light mega trees, singing trees, candy canes, snowmen, and a giant walk-through ornament. A Baton Rouge favorite for photo ops and family fun!
When: Opens end of November and runs nightly through the season
Location: Corner of Bluebonnet Blvd. and Picardy Ave.
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

The CPKC Holiday Train

Details: The CPKC Holiday Train is back for its 26th year of spreading holiday cheer and raising donations to help people struggling with food insecurity. Enjoy live music and the beautifully lit holiday train.
When: December 2nd
Location: 1401 Foss St., CPKC Yard
Admission: Free
More Info: batonrougefamilyfun.com/cpkc-holiday-train

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts

Details: Celebrate the season with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s festive holiday performances.
When: 

• Holiday Brass at St. Joseph Cathedral – December 4th

• The Mallory Holiday Brass – December 5th

• Houmas House Holiday Brass – December 7th

• Home for the Holidays – December 13th
  Admission: Ticketed
  More Info: Learn more here

Downtown Baton Rouge Festival of Lights

Details: Enjoy an evening under downtown’s historic oaks as Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition lights up North Boulevard with half a million sparkling lights and a 35-foot Christmas tree in Town Square.
When: December 5th, 4–8 PM
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Broadmoor’s Annual Christmas Parade

Details: A beloved neighborhood tradition hosted by the Broadmoor Residents’ Association. The parade features local groups, floats, and festive fun — plus food donations for charity.
When: December 6th, 11 AM
Location: 1316 S Woodhaven St., Baton Rouge
Admission: Free
More Info: broadmoor-br.org

Sensory Santa

Details: Designed for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, or sensory processing disorders, this event provides a calm, inclusive space to visit Santa without the hustle and bustle.
When: December 6th, 9 AM–12 PM
Location: North Sherwood Forest Community Park
Admission: Free (registration required)
More Info: brec.org/adaptiveregistration

A Rural Life Christmas

Details: Step back in time and celebrate the season at our annual 19th-century Louisiana Christmas event! Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holidays with live music, skilled artisans, captivating storytellers, and costumed re-enactors bringing history to life.
When: December 7th, 11 AM–7 PM
Location: LSU Rural Life Museum, 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge
Admission: Ages 0–3: Free, Ages 4–11: $6, Ages 12+: $12
More Info: Learn more here

Santa Rocks the Rowe

Details: Perkins Rowe’s annual holiday celebration features photos with Santa, live music, games, face painting, and more! A fun-filled evening for the whole family.

Holiday Dance Party with DJ Bob
5pm-6pm
Street next to California Pizza Kitchen

The Baton Rouge Concert Band
6:30pm-8:00pm
2nd floor balcony of The Great Hall
When: December 13th, 5–8 PM
Location: Perkins Rowe
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade – Cancelled

Details: The Annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Baton Rouge, featuring floats, marching bands, and local organizations.
When: Cancelled for 2025
Location: Downtown Baton Rouge
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Annual Christmas in Central Parade

Details: Celebrate Christmas in Central at this family-favorite parade with floats, local organizations, and festive cheer.
When: December 6th, 9 AM–1 PM (Parade rolls at 9 AM)
Location: Joor & Hooper to Joor & Lovett
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou

Details: Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s beloved holiday production returns with live music from the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra — a magical experience for all ages.
When: December 20th–21st, 2 & 6 PM
Location: River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts
Admission: $40 – $95
More Info: Learn more here

Creole Christmas & Holiday Fair at Magnolia Mound

Details: Celebrate Louisiana’s French Creole heritage with music, crafts, traditional songs, and a festive bonfire welcoming Papa Noël.
When: December 15, 12–5 PM
Location: Magnolia Mound, 2161 Nicholson Dr., Baton Rouge
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Ice Skating on the River

Details: Lace up your skates for a holiday favorite at the Raising Cane’s River Center! Enjoy 75-minute sessions in a festive indoor setting perfect for all ages.
When: December 11 – 30
Location: Raising Cane’s River Center
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

✨ Holiday Events Beyond Baton Rouge

Celebration in the Oaks – New Orleans

Details: One of the country’s most spectacular light festivals, featuring decorated oak trees, train rides, and City Park’s iconic holiday displays.
When: November 28th – January 1st
Location: 4 Friederichs Ave., New Orleans
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

Christmas in the Park – Lafreniere Park

Details: Millions of lights illuminate this holiday attraction, complete with snow, animated displays, and themed decorations like Marvel, Disney, and Star Wars.
When: TBA
Location: 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie
Admission: $10 a vehicle
More Info: https://www.jeffparish.gov/1196/Christmas-in-the-Park

Kenner’s Heritage Park Christmas Village

Details: Wander through dazzling lights, enjoy live performances, vendors, Santa photos, and the magical “snow” in the heart of Rivertown.
When: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 2015 Fourth St., Kenner, LA
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Noël Acadien au Village – Lafayette

Details: Experience this 23-night Christmas festival with half a million lights, live entertainment, local food, and a fully lit chapel. A magical Acadiana tradition!
When: December 1st – 23rd, 5:30 PM – 9 PM
Location: LARC’s Acadian Village, 200 Greenleaf Dr., Lafayette
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

Christmas in the Country – St. Francisville

Details: A charming small-town Christmas celebration with parades, shopping, live music, and streets aglow with Victorian charm and millions of lights.
When: December 5th – 7th 
Location: 11936 Ferdinand St., St. Francisville
Admission: Free
More Info: Learn more here

Christmas in the Park – Dark Woods Adventure Park

Details: Discover twinkling lights, cozy fire pits, and s’mores galore at this magical outdoor event in the heart of Natchitoches Parish.
When: December 1st – 25th 
Location: 4343 University Pkwy., Natchitoches
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

Festival of the Bonfires – St. James Parish

Details: Celebrate Cajun-style Christmas with great food, live entertainment, crafts, and nightly bonfire lightings!
When: December 12th – 14th 
Location: Lutcher Recreational Park, 2545 Louisiana Ave., Lutcher
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

Christmas in the Park – Moncus Park (Lafayette)

Details: Enjoy live music, hot chocolate, hay rides, Santa photos, and the Polar Express movie screening in a family-friendly park setting.
When: December 12–14
Location: Moncus Park, Lafayette
Admission: Free
More Info: moncuspark.org/christmas

Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Details: One of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the U.S., with over 300,000 lights, 100+ set pieces, fireworks, and parades.
When: November 22 – January 6
Location: 781 Front St., Natchitoches
Admission: Ticketed
More Info: Learn more here

Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights

Details: Experience the magic of North Louisiana’s eight festive cities — from Shreveport to Alexandria — on this self-guided trail filled with lights, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
When: TBA
Admission: Varies by location
More Info: Learn more here

Baton Rouge Christmas Lights Guide 

Our Christmas Events in Baton Rouge Guide will be updated as new events are announced. Be sure to check back often for the latest Baton Rouge Family Fun updates!

A special thank-you to our 2025 Holiday Guide sponsors, BREC and The Merriest Mile, for helping us share the magic of the season with families across Louisiana!