As we head into this weekend in Baton Rouge, there’s no shortage of exciting, family-friendly events to explore! Whether you’re celebrating the spirit of community with a cozy bonfire or immersing yourself in nature at an Arbor Day celebration, this weekend has something for everyone. Take a break to gaze at the night sky, engage with the outdoors during a Storytime in the Garden, or head over to the Knock Knock Children’s Museum to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a special celebration. Gather the family and make some memories as you enjoy all that Baton Rouge has to offer this weekend!
Capital Renaissance International School is enrolling students (6 weeks – 5th grade) for the 2025-2026 school year. Capital Renaissance International School (CRIS) is the only school in Baton Rouge to offer full language immersion learning in up to three languages: Spanish, French, and Chinese. Their unique curriculum ensures that children are linguistically, academically, and culturally prepared to succeed globally. At CRIS, students learn about the world without ever having to leave Louisiana!
Things to do in Baton Rouge
Weekend Planner January 17th – 19th
Community Bonfire
Saturday, January 18th
Time: 4-7 PM
Location: BREC’s Highland Road Community Park
14024 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Details: Let’s Light up the night and ring in the New Year with a bang! Join us at BREC’s community bonfire for a night of unforgettable excitement. Grab a chair, pack a picnic, and get ready to dance under the stars! We’ve got s’mores, hot chocolate, thrilling entertainment, and so much more waiting for you. Let’s ignite the night and make memories that will last all year long!
Explore the Night Sky
Saturday, January 18th
Time: 7-10 PM
Location: Highland Road Park Observatory
13800 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Details: View six planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus (weather permitting). This free viewing is specifically for ages 6 and older. Binoculars are recommended but not mandatory.
Arbor Day
Saturday, January 18th
Time: 9AM – 1PM
Location: LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at the Barton Arboretum
4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA, United States, Louisiana 70809
Admission: Free
Details: Event Highlights:
– Free Tree Giveaway (one tree per household, while supplies last)
– Tree Planting in Burden Woods
– StoryTime in the Garden
– Scavenger Hunt
– Tree Climbing
– Kiddie Forest Playground
– Axe Throwing
– Meet Smokey Bear!
Storytime in the Garden
Saturday, January 18th
Time: 9AM
Location: LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
4650 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Details: One Saturday a month, LSU AgCenter hosts storybook readings and flexes their creative muscles! Young children will have a blast making new friends, creating arts and crafts, and listening to stories. Little ones also receive a book to take home with them. Every half hour, they alternate between stories and crafts to keep young children interested and engaged. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and admission is free! No registration is required.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20th
Time: 10AM – 4PM
Location: Knock Knock Museum
Details: Knock Knock will be open on Monday for I Have a Dream Day! Join us for regular admission pricing to to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Special activities will be held in the museum from 10 AM – 4 PM.
Enjoy your family-friendly weekend in Baton Rouge! Don’t forget to check the weather before heading out and have a fantastic time exploring all the wonderful events our city has to offer.