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!
Events are subject to change, be sure to check events are as scheduled before heading out.Â
Things To Do in Baton Rouge this weekend:Â
Festival of Lights | December 2 | 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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 2nd 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. See our post with a full schedule of events!
Boucherie and Balloon Festival | December 2 -4 | Times Vary
The Boucherie and Balloon Festival is coming back to Sorrento! From hot air balloons, carnival rides, and cracklin’ cookoffs, to live music and plenty of shopping, they’ve got festivities you and the family won’t want to miss.
Sensory Santa | December 2 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
North Sherwood Forest Community Park – Drive thru the holidays at BREC’s Selfies with Santa. Each car will receive prepackaged holiday activities, snacks and reindeer food! Santa will also be available to take selfies with you and your family from the safety of your own car. This event is free and open to all ages and abilities.
Broadmoor’s Annual Christmas Parade | December 3 | 11:00 a.m.
• This is an outdoor event and the parade will roll as long as weather conditions permit.
• The parade route begins at Broadmoor High School parking lot (on Goodwood Blvd), east onto Goodwood Blvd, through the S curve, then north on Woodhaven St, then west on S. River Oaks Dr., then south on Cora Dr., then east on Goodwood Blvd back to the Broadmoor High School parking lot. The parade route is about 1.9 miles in length.
A Rural Life Christmas | December 4 | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ring in the Holiday season with a 19th century Louisiana celebration at the LSU Rural Life Museum. Decorations with natural trimmings representative of special times of long ago will be displayed throughout the museum’s grounds. Seasonal activities such a musical groups, demonstrating artisans, open-hearth cooking, storytellers, and costumed re-enactors will be present during this event. A complete list of activities and musical performances will be available soon. Children ages 0-3 will be admitted at no charge. For everyone else, the cost is $10.00 per person. Admission: $10.00 per person. This event will conclude with a bonfire and a visit from Papa Noel!
Baton Rouge Zoo’s ZooLights | Through December 30th  | Zoo Hours
Zoolights is a mile-long trail through the Zoo with more than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays. Once again, the Zoo is partnering with The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to bring more impact & excitement to Zoolights. Every guest presenting non-perishable food items (minimum of one per person) during the hours of Zoolights, will receive a 50% discount from the regular admission price. All food donations will go directly to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
DATES: November 25 – December 30 Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Admission gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.
Find more Baton Rouge holiday events and activities for the family in our Christmas Events Guide: