Looking for ways to spend the holiday season in Baton Rouge? We have compiled a list of our top five favorite things to do to celebrate the holidays! First up is The Baton Rouge Zoo’s Zoolights: BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo is hosting Zoolights until December 30th (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)! Presented by the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, it features over 50 illuminated animals and traditional holiday displays that are family friendly! This year, the Zoo is partnering with The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in order to have a bigger impact on the community. Every guest that brings a non-perishable food item will receive a 50% discount on the regular admission price! Help them reach their goal of 7,500 pounds of food this year! They will also keep the Safari Post Gift Shop and Flamingo Café open, which will have special holiday treats and gifts.
Next, we have Ice Skating on the River. Located at The Raising Cane’s River Center, it will be transformed into an ice skating rink from December 16 until January 3. This is a fun-filled annual tradition that is fun for the whole family. Get a kickstart on making holiday memories by ice skating in The Raising Cane’s River Center!
Third is the ballet, The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou. Returning to its home stage after three years, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater will be hosting The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou. They will be joined by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, so you don’t want to miss this magical celebration to begin the holiday season with. It will only be performed December 17 & 18 at 2:00 and 6:00 pm each day, so don’t wait to get your tickets!
We also have the Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General. For the fifth year in a row, Baton Rouge General is hosting their Holiday Lights display. This is the first of its kind, with their lawn transformed into a musical and twinkling synchronized light display. There are more than over 400,000 lights that can be enjoyed driving by or strolling through. This is definitely something the whole family will enjoy!
Aside from these events, many neighborhoods have their own Christmas lights out for people to drive through and admire. Baton Rouge Family Fun has compiled their own list of neighborhoods that are participating this year (and pretty much every other year)! If you just need a quick and/or free adventure, this is the perfect opportunity to have a night out with your friends or family viewing Christmas lights in different neighborhoods.
The Local Pop Market will have their last Holiday Market at Electric Depot from 10AM to 2PM! Bring the kids for Storytime with Santa inside Sweet Baton Rouge. Join us at noon in store for a special story time with Santa and Mrs Claus, including photo opportunities and visits to follow.