It’s Christmas time in the Bayou State and Baton Rouge is getting ready for a fais do-do for the holidays! With so many great holiday events happening in and around the Baton Rouge area,  it may seem daunting to pick the ones that are right for your family.  The holidays dont need to be full or packed with activities, they should be a relaxing, fun, time to enjoy family and make memories.

We have put together a few of our favorite events with our Baton Rouge Christmas Bucket list:

The following 10 events have made our Baton Rouge Christmas Bucket List:

Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade – The 63rd Annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade will roll through Downtown Baton Rouge Saturday, December 14th at 5:30 p.m. Every year, more than 70,000 people watch the parade live and thousands more enjoy it on television through the holiday season. The Parade is a celebration and a great way to connect with the community. The parade is open to everyone. Typically the parade includes about 80 entries. These entries are a mix of marching bands, celebrities, dance troups, non-profit organizations, and local businesses in seasonal themes.

ZooLights 2013 -November 29 – December 30 Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. This years will ZooLights will include a mile-long trail through the Zoo, more than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays.

“Holiday Skating on the River” – Will be taking place at the Baton Rouge River Center from Friday, December 21st through Wednesday, January 2, 2013  You can view the full holiday skating schedule here. 

Nottaway’s Christmas Tree Lighting Festival – 6 pm:  Holidays at Nottaway Plantation are absolutely breathtaking! Live music includes The Navy Band New Orleans Ceremonial Band, Church choirs will be performing throughout the grounds and food and Beverage stations will be open. Enjoy the Hand Bell Choir, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Fireworks on the Levee and Santas arrival. Bring your camera and take photos of your kids with Santa on the front balcony of the Mansion!

Celebration In The Oaks  – Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country. This beloved annual celebration is fun for all ages and has become an enduring holiday tradition for families, who come to Celebration in the Oaks to ride the train or carousel every year. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions, from light displays to the walkways lined with dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local school groups. Perennial favorites include the two-mile train ride through glittering light exhibits, the animated Cajun night before Christmas display, and of course, New Orleans’ iconic snowman Mr. Bingle.

Christmas in the Country – Decemeber 6th, 7th & 8th- Nothing says Christmas to an excited child more than a parade, especially a safe small-town one like St. Francisville’s popular Christmas in the Country parade the first Saturday each December, complete with marching bands and decorated floats, Santa resplendent in his sleigh. Millions of tiny white lights trace soaring Victorian trimwork and grace gallery posts to transform the entire town into a veritable winter wonderland for Christmas in the Country, as special activities throughout the extensive National Register-listed downtown Historic District provide fun for the whole family at this celebration of the season, a joyful alternative to mall madness. View the full schedule of events here.

24th Festival of the Bonfires – December 13, 14, 15, – CEnjoy Christmas on the River…CAJUN STYLE! Enjoy great food, live entertainment, crafts, Santa’s Very Merry Forest and carnival rides throughout the weekend. Each night will be highlighted with a single bonfire lighting! Experience a prelude to the famous Christmas Eve Bonfires: A tradition unique to St. James Parish and all the world!!

Festival of Lights – Join an evening under downtown’s historic oaks to commemorate Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition. Transforming the winter sky into a wonderland, the Mayor will light North Boulevard with half a million sparkling lights. Experience the magic beneath the 35-foot Christmas tree in Town Square. Bethlehem Village with a real life village set in Biblical times where children can craft ornaments and decorations, plus a magical train ride on the Mansion Express at the Old Governor’s Mansion. Visit Santa’s Gift Shoppe and listen to holiday music during an evening of visual, culinary, and performing arts.

The Living Nativity –   The 3rd Annual Drive Through Live Nativity takes place on the parking lot of FBBC. Load up your family and journey back to the first Christmas as represented through 12 different scenes. December 13, 14th & 15th  7-9 PM

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra – This years holiday BRSO events will includ:

• Christmas Brass at Hemingbough on December 6th, 13th & 15th.
• Home for the Holidays at River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts Sunday, December 08, 2013, 3:00pm Begin the festive season with a celebration of holiday music for entire family. Soprano Mara Bonde joins the orchestra and chorus along with baritone Dennis Jesse. The evening will include full orchestral renditions of classics and light-hearted favorites.
  “Twas the Night Before Christmas” read by Dan Borne’, voice of the LSU TIGERS.
• Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Presents: The Nutcracker, A Tale from the Bayou at River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts Saturday, December 21, 2013, 2:00pm – Make your Christmas season one to remember with the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater production of The Nutcracker, A Tale From the Bayou. This is a southern twist on the classic ballet featuring world-class guest artists alongside local dancers. 

Baton Rouge Christmas Bucket List

Download the Bucket List below (right click and save to desktop).
Then place in an 8×10 inch frame or protective sleeve.
Use a dry erase marker to mark things off your Christmas bucket list!

{Click on image to see full view}

Below is a blank printable for your family to create your own home bucket list. Fill it up with books to be read, memories to be made and new traditions to be experienced. Enjoy!

What are your families favorite Baton Rouge holiday events, please share them with us in the comments below!