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Brec’s Baton Rouge Zoolights Making Spirits Bright

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Join BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo for Zoolights (November 23rd through December 30th)! Baton Rouge Zoolights festive mile-long trail through the Zoo in the evening boasts more than 50 illuminated sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays for the whole family to enjoy. 

Baton Rouge Zoolights

This year, 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. Regular admission prices are: $5 for adults/teens; $4 for senior citizens; $3 for children (2-12 years old) and $3 for Friends of the Zoo members. These amounts will be cut in half when a non-perishable food item is presented at the time of entry & all food donations will go directly to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Learn more at www.brzoo.org. 


 

Baton Rouge Zoolights

Admissions gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.

Admission:
Adults/Teens: $5
Seniors: $4
Ages 2-12: $3
Friends of the Zoo Members: $3 per person

Baton Rouge Zoolights displays will include the following:

BREC Baton Rouge Zoolights

ILLUMINATED SCULPTURES: Visitors will find illuminated sculptures representing animals and traditional symbols of the holidays.

GIANT SPECTACULARS: Larger-than-life displays capture the imagination of children of all ages. These displays may include: Flamingos, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Gorillas, Rhinos, Elephants, Alligators, Giant Santa, Giant Snowmen, Holiday Trains, Santa in Sleigh pulled by Giant Reindeer and Toy Soldiers. Displays can be up to 30 ft. tall!

ANIMATED SPECTACULARS: Animated displays add additional entertainment value to our event. The use of high-wattage, computer-controlled displays will provide exciting animation to displays.

VISITOR AMENITIES: During each evening, the Safari Post Gift Shop and Flamingo Café will remain open & feature special holiday treats and gift options.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Monday, December 17, 2018
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Sunday, December 30, 2018

Baton Rouge Zoo Lights

See our full list of Christmas events on our 2018 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide! 

 

Holiday Themed Sensory Activities for Children

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With the holidays underway, fun is in the air, the temperature is decreasing, and the days are getting shorter. One way to help your kids connect with nature and get them into the spirit of the season is to do some holiday themed sensory activities.

Sensory play is an important part of child development. From babies putting everything in their mouths to toddlers opening cupboards and making messes, children learn by exploring the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the world around them. Learning what is hot and cold, rough and smooth, squishy and hard, can help build vocabulary and develop fine motor skills. Fun experiences in a controlled environment help children learn to process sensory input so they are less likely to be overwhelmed when they’re in crowded or noisy places. This is particularly important for children with sensory integration issues.

So how can you incorporate sensory play into your activities with your child this fall? Here are some fun, affordable ideas that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Eight great holiday themed sensory activities:

Decorate your home: One great activity to do with your children is decorating your home. With Christmas or any holiday upon us, placing decorations around your home can help to set the proper mood for this time of year. In order to give your decorating activity a sensory component, make sure your decorations have different textures for your children to experience. Consider getting some decorations that make noise, move, or involve some crafting, as they’ll encourage your little one to actively participate in the decorating, and give them a chance to ‘interact’ more with your decor.

Make homemade gifts: Helping your child make their own holiday gifts can be a lot of fun. There are a plethora of items that can be used for gifting and crafting. Adding finishing touches like paint, glitter, buttons, and gluing felt are all things your kids can do to help keep them involved in making their holiday gifts. Gifting loved ones with items they have made will give them a sense of accomplishment because they put work into it. 

holiday themed sensory activities

Write and perform a play: Sit down with your kids and help them draft up their very own play. Once the play is written and they have a cast composed of their friends, help them make simple costumes and create their set and ‘stage’ complete with props and twinkle lights. Since the weather is so nice this time of year, think about having the play outside. Help your kiddos rehearse and set up chairs for their audience on the night of the show. Have parents and friends over to watch, complete with an ‘after party’ celebration following the show.

Plant a winter garden: Starting a garden at this point in the year can be a little tricky. Make sure to research what plants are hardy enough to survive the winter temperatures in your particular location. Lettuce, carrots, radishes, garlic, and onions are all options for a winter vegetable garden. Seeds should be started indoors and transplanted outdoors. Think about investing in some type of heat-conserving covers for your plants, which can keep plants at a temperature 5 to 10 degrees above the temperature outside. A great way for your kids to get hands-on when starting the garden is to have them make their own mulch for the plants.

Make a fall-themed sensory bin: Create your very own fall-themed sensory bin. Sensory bins are really easy to make. All you need is a container and a filler. Make sure your container is large enough for your kids to explore in without making a mess, or lay a plastic tarp under the bin to keep the mess under control. A fall-themed bin can simply be a plastic fall-colored bin. After deciding on your bin, pick out a filler. It can be anything from unpopped popcorn, to oatmeal, sunflower seeds, and dry rice. All are acceptable filler items for your bin. Once you pick your filler, consider adding farm animals, fallen leaves, fall-colored pom poms, and various scoops and spoons for digging and exploring.

Go on a nature walk: Going for a walk may seem like a simple activity, but it gives your kids a chance to combine most of their senses at the same time while also providing them with some exercise. They’ll be able to feel the temperature shift from summer to fall in the air, hear leaves crunching and crackling under their feet, see the leaves that haven’t fallen yet change color, and smell the fall air. We recommend Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center for a Baton Rouge trail. 

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Try geocaching. For older children, you can add a sense of excitement to your walk by going geocaching. Working to find the caches will help your kids focus more on their surroundings and learn about coordinates and directions. Chances are they’ll be getting more hands-on with nature than they would have otherwise.

Earn merit badges. Whether you do it as part of a formal scouting program or invent your own, you can award your kids merit badges for trying new foods, performing CPR on dolls or stuffed animals, cooking something, building a tower, and lots of other tactile activities.

Final thoughts

To get your kids into the spirit of the season, change up their at-home activities to have a holiday theme. Different seasonal activities can usually be tailored to have more of a sensory aspect. These activities help kids work on their fine and gross motor skills, communication and linguistic skills, and they improve their understanding of their own senses. These holiday themed sensory activities will get your little ones ready for the season ahead, and keep them having fun and learning at the same time.

 

2018 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide – Sponsored by Rapid Urgent Care

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Our Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide is our largest guide to date with over 50 events.  This list will be updated daily as we learn of new events being hosted in our area. We’re sharing events within a 60 mile radius of Baton Rouge. Whether you’re looking for a Christmas parade, holiday-themed performance, Santa visit, or lights display, there’s the cornucopia of holiday-themed programs and events throughout the season. Be sure to grab for our FREE Christmas Events List Printable so you don’t miss an event! If you have an event or activity to add, please email us – info@BatonRougeMoms.com

Thanks to Rapid Urgent Care for sponsoring this year’s Holiday Events Guide.  

Baton Rouge Christmas events

2018 Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events Guide 

Baton Rouge Events and Christmas Guide

Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade

The 2018 Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade rolls on Saturday, December 8th at 5:30 PM

BAton Rouge Christmas parade

The 67th Annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade will roll through Downtown Baton Rouge December 9 at 5:30 pm. 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 2017ZooLights 2015 Baton Rouge

November 23 – December 30
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas
Gates open 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 9 p.m.

  • A mile-long trail through the Zoo
  • More than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays
  • A festive family activity, adding to the quality of life for residents throughout the region
  • The beginning of a new tradition

This year, 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. Regular admission prices are: $5 for adults/teens; $4 for senior citizens; $3 for children (2-12 years old) and $3 for Friends of the Zoo members. These amounts will be cut in half when a non-perishable food item is presented at the time of entry & all food donations will go directly to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Learn more at www.brzoo.org. 

ILLUMINATED SCULPTURES: Visitors will find illuminated sculptures representing animals and traditional symbols of the holidays.

GIANT SPECTACULARS: Larger-than-life displays capture the imagination of children of all ages. These displays may include: Flamingos, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Gorillas, Rhinos, Elephants, Alligators, Giant Santa, Giant Snowmen, Holiday Trains, Santa in Sleigh pulled by Giant Reindeer and Toy Soldiers. Displays can be up to 30 ft. tall!

ANIMATED SPECTACULARS: Animated displays add additional entertainment value to our event. The use of high-wattage, computer-controlled displays will provide exciting animation to displays.

VISITOR AMENITIES: Safari Photo Booth, Seasonal Specials from the Flamingo Cafe’, Safari Post Gift Shop

A Rural Life Christmas

A Rural Life Christmas Baton Rouge

Sunday, December 2, 2018
12:30pm until 6:00pm

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 present during this event.

Admission: $10.00 per person. Children 10 years and younger are admitted for free. 

This event will conclude with a bonfire and a visit from Papa Noel!

Holiday Skating on the River

ICE SKATING ON THE RIVER Baton Rouge

The Raising Cane’s River Center will once again magically transform the arena into a “Winter Wonderland” just in time for you to create your holiday memories. Ice Skating on the River sponsored by Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL is an annual holiday tradition, which will kick off the ice skating season on Friday, December 21, 2018. The Coca-Cola Santa Truck will be at the Raising Cane’s River Center, spreading the joy of the season exclusively for the opening session.

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than Ice Skating on the River sponsored by Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL? Please join us for a skating session soon and create winter memories that will last a lifetime. Tickets are currently available at the Raising Cane’s River Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, and charge by phone at-1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please contact the Raising Cane’s River Center at 225-389-3030.

Baton Rouge Christmas Events

Festival of Lights Friday, November 30th, 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Two popular events intertwine for a special holiday Far-Out First Friday combined with the annual Festival of Light’s activities – all rolled into one exciting night! 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. 

A full schedule of Downtown Baton Rouge Christmas Events can be found here!

LASM Holiday Events

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Downtown Baton Rouge Christmas eventsAll aboard The Polar Express! Bring your family to experience this beloved holiday movie in the planetarium theater every Saturday, November 24-December 22. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa before each show beginning at 2:15 PM, and after the show, visitors can pick up their very own sleigh bells to take home. 

Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 3:00pm
Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:00pm
Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 3:00pm
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 3:00pm
Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 3:00pm

The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou

The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou

DECEMBER 15TH AND 16TH, 2 PM AND 6

The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou, created by Molly Buchmann and Sharon Mathews in 1992, has become one of the most highly-anticipated events of the holiday season. Accompanied by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the production incorporates local landmarks while maintaining the grandeur and integrity of the classic ballet. This lavish production continues to thrill children and adults alike, and snow is always guaranteed!

Florida Boulevard Baptist Church

Baton Rouge

“God’s Unconditional Love: A Nativity Scene”

Friday, Dec. 14th at 6:30 and 7:00 PM

Saturday, Dec. 15th at 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 PM

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

Baton Rouge Symphony ChristmasThis year’s holiday BRSO events will includ

  • Home for the Holidays December 2nd @ 7:30 pm – The Holiday Season would not be complete without the Family Pops annual Home for the Holidays concert! Join Maestro Muffitt as he leads this spectacular cast of hundreds featuring our very own Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus, and numerous guest performers and musical groups from across our city.  Join us in a musical celebration of community and the spirit of the season
  • ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL – HOLIDAY BRASS | LAMAR FAMILY CHAMBER SERIES
    December 6th @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm at St. Joseph Cathedral. Holiday Brass at St. Joseph Cathedral has delighted audiences for 15 years. Enjoy brass renditions of holiday favorites, the bright young voices of the Baton Rouge Magnet High School Festival Singers, and the glorious cathedral organ, played by Robbie Giroir. The full Symphony brass and percussion sections, with soloist Stephanie Gustafson on harp, fill the resonant spaces of this beautiful cathedral.
  • HOLLY JOLLY JAZZY CHRISTMAS! Friday, December 7th @   Grace Episcopal Church, St. Francisville  Join the Baton Rouge Symphony and guests Willis Delony and friends for a “jazzy” holiday performance. Presented by The St. Francisville Symphony Association.
  • HOUMAS HOUSE – HOLIDAY BRASS | LAMAR FAMILY CHAMBER SERIES Sunday, December 9, 2018   Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. The beautiful grounds of Houmas House Plantation and Gardens set the scene for a special edition of Holiday Brass, led by Associate Conductor David Torns. The Symphony brass and percussion players perform traditional holiday favorites, including some custom arrangements for the Baton Rouge Symphony. Stephanie Gustafson is highlighted as harp soloist.The concert will take place outside in front of the historic mansion (weather permitting). Refreshments are available for purchase, and you can call ahead to make a reservation for a lovely dinner afterwards. Voted “Best Historic Mansion” by USA Today, Houmas House invites you to arrive early, stroll through the lush winter gardens, and take in the magic of the holidays.

Holiday Brass – Houmas House Plantation

 

BREC Holiday EventsBREC Holiday Events

Santa Road Show Saturday, Dec 15, 2018 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Gus Young Park
Gather the entire family to experience the holidays the BREC way as Santa makes his stop at the Santa Road Show at Gus Young Park. Be sure to take memorable photos with Santa and enjoy free holiday-themed games and activities.

Creole Christmas: Sunday, Dec 09, 2018 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Magnolia Mound Plantation
Creole Christmas is an annual event featuring seasonal decorations in the historic house, traditional songs in French and Spanish sung by local school children, period demonstrations, folk crafts and the annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel.

 

Reflections of the Season – West Baton Rouge

REFLECTIONS OF THE SEASON

$5.00 per Car & Passenger Vans or Buses $1 per person This walk or drive through display is open to the public from December 14th – 16th & December 20th – 23rd, from 5:30PM till 9:00PM. Horse & Buggy Rides, Ice Fishing and a Snow Patch will also be available.

Drive through the grounds of the West Baton Rouge Conference Center and view the spectacular lights. Take advantage of the FREE shuttle service as there is no parking available on the grounds of the WBR Conference Center during this event; Parking will be at Louis Mouch Multipurpose arena located at 152 Turner Road. You must obtain a wristband at the entrance gate to participate in all the activities. Come inside the conference center to visit the talking reindeer. Walk through the holiday decorated rooms. Enjoy carnival rides for the children or buy those last minute gifts from our crafters. Santa will be here on Friday and Saturday nights only.  Take your holiday pictures with Santa and his elves.

Dec.15th will be ice fishing for $5.00 per person.

On Dec. 22nd is snow night for $5.00 per person. 

HORSE & BUGGY RIDES. Cuddle up in a blanket next to your friends and loved ones and take a ride through the lights in a horse-drawn wagon for $5.00 per person. Bring your family and friends and make West Baton Rouge and “Reflections of the Season” part of your Christmas tradition.

Holiday Events Beyond Baton Rouge

Shadrack's Christmas lights

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland! 

Lamar Dixon Expo Center – A 1.5 mile drive-through LED Christmas show that is a combination of synchronized elements that move with music being transmitted through your car stereo & large animated displays. There are thousands of channels simultaneously directing this orchestra of lights. Using the most technologically advanced equipment in the industry, Christmas Wonderland magically expresses what Christmas means to us. Our hope is for this show to spark a smile on your face.

M-F: 6 – 10PM
Sat-Sunday: 6-10PM or Later
Including Holidays, even in the rain!
For more information, visit shadrackchristmas.com

Nottaway’s Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

Notaway-Mansion-Christmas-

It’s time for Nottoway’s annual Christmas Bonfire Festival! For just $5 per car, you’ll experience a night filled with music, food, vendors, bonfires, fireworks, Santa and more!

  • Friday, December 7, 2018 | 5-9pm
  • Bonfires on the Levee
  • Arts & Crafts Vendors
  • Food & Concessions
  • Holiday Music
  • Christmas Church Choirs
  • Carolers Roaming the Grounds
  • Louisiana Vintage Dancers
  • Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • A Visit From SANTA!
  • Fireworks
  • Admission is only $5 per car! 
    Buy your tickets online to avoid the long lines!

Celebration In The Oaks- New Orleans

Celebration In The Oaks- New Olreans

Celebration in the Oaks 2018 season:
Open Nov. 30 through Jan 1, 2019
Closed Christmas Eve
Open Christmas Night
Closed New Year’s Eve
Open hours:
Friday and Saturday 5pm to 11pm
Sunday through Thursday 6pm to 10pm

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.

Family Preview Party – New Orleans

celebration_in_the_oaks-family_party_logo_4_600_510November 18th – Kids get the royal holiday treatment at their own Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party and – bonus! – mom and dad can enjoy this family experience without lifting a finger. Your little ones will feel like the kings and queens of the ball at this fun-filled party.

And special this year at the Celebration in the Oaks Family Party – we’ll have the characters from FROZEN! That’s right, Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Kristoff and the lovable Olaf. They’ll be walking around and will be ready to take photos with the kids (and those who are kids at heart, too). Don’t forget your camera.

Krewe of Jingle Parade & More! – New Orleans – TBA

New Orleans’ official holiday parade, the “Krewe of Jingle,” will once again delight locals and visitors alike with authentic parade floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, Christmas characters and many more magical surprises!

A Civil War Christmas- – St. Francisville

12/7/2018 • Audubon State Historic Site, St. Francisville – A Colonial Christmas School Day, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Preregistered students will learn about Christmas traditions in early America. Wassailing, hunting for Christmas dinner, and origins of Christmas traditions are just some of the things students will experience. For more information call 888.677.2838 toll free or 225.635.3739 locally.

12/8/2018 • Audubon State Historic Site, St. Francisville – A Dickens of a Christmas, 6 – 8 p.m. The plantation comes to life during the holidays, as it shows off its seasonal decorations. Costumed guides accompany the visitor on a trip into the past through the candlelit Oakley House. Take a taste of what´s cooking in the kitchen, or just enjoy the yearly Christmas dance or listen to live period music. For more information call 888.677.2838 toll free or 225.635.3739 locally.

Christmas in the Country St. Francisville

Baton Rouge Christmas

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.

Christmas in the Village – Zachary

Zachary's Christmas in the Village

Come out to the annual Christmas In The Village in the Zachary Historical District! Kickoff the holiday season and join Zachary Mayor David Amrhein as he welcomes everyone to the annual Zachary Christmas In the Village Celebration from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7. The event will take place in the Zachary Historical District, on Virginia Street behind City Hall and this year, expands to the fire station and along Main Street to Lee Street. Bring a camera to take photos while you meet the Whoville characters. Santa will be at the Whoville House at the corner of Virginia and Florida streets.

Noel Acadien au Village – Lafayette

LARC’s Acadian Village

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 23, 2018 5:30-9:00 pm Nightly (weather permitting)

HALF A MILLION LIGHTS   ~  NEW ANIMATED DISPLAYS  ~  CARNIVAL RIDES  PHOTOS WITH SANTA  ~  LIVE NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL CUISINE   ~   HOLIDAY SHOPPING – VIP Parking Available 
For more information, click on the drop-down menu on the Noel Acadien au Village tab.
LARC’s Acadian Village hosts its 23 night Christmas festival fundraiser annually in December to benefit LARC, a local 501c(3) non-profit organization benefiting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
Noel Acadien au Village features half-a-million lights, including the fully lit  Chapel, new displays for our Acadian home porches, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping in the Christmas Store and much more! 

Louisiana Bonfires Chrsitmas25th Festival of the Bonfires – St. James Parish

December 14, 15, 16, 2018
Lutcher Park
2545 Louisiana Avenue
Lutcher, LA

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! Come out and experience a prelude to the famous Christmas Eve Bonfires: A tradition unique to St. James Parish and all the world!! 

Christmas Past Festival: Old Mandeville

Christmas Past Festival  Christmas Past Festival DEc. 8th  10 AM-3 PM in Old Mandeville.

The Christmas Past street festival is packed with over 40 vendors lining Girod Street.  The festival will extend from near the Mandeville Trailhead complex and continue down to the lakefront.  Keeping with an international season theme, each block will highlight a different region: Germany, England, France, Louisiana, and America.  For maps and the program of events,  please visit their Christmas Past Festival Facebook Page.

Christmas Under the Stars – Slidell

The City of Slidell celebrates the holiday season with Christmas Under the Stars, an annual celebration of twinkling lights, festive decorations, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Parade of Trees, the life-size Christmas Cottages, Slidell’s Nativity, Christmas songs, and much more. 

Louisiana Christmas

Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights

Holiday Trail of Lights

This would be another option for a day trip and lots of driving along with lots of memories made.

The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights has existed for nearly 30 years to enhance the holiday experiences for locals, visitors and group tours. The trail spans I-20 and I-49 in north Louisiana and incorporates Shreveport-Bossier, Minden, Monroe-West Monroe, Natchitoches, and Alexandria/Pineville.

Festivities generally start in mid-November and run through the New Year. Some of the popular and recurring events include shopping/dining/entertainment at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Shreveport-Bossier, Fasching Festival in Minden, shopping and dining in Antique Alley in Monroe-West Monroe, Festival of Lights in Natchitoches and the Christmas parades in Alexandria/Pineville.

The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights can be experienced in one day or a week with each day totally unique and special. The cities are all within driving distance of one another, making the tour a convenient hour-long trip from any one city to its neighboring city. Visitors are encouraged to see the brilliant lights, dine at the local restaurants, dance at the festivals, shop, and play in all of the eight festive cities.

See a full list of featured events—> https://www.holidaytrailoflights.com

Facebook Holiday Events Guide

This is a comprehensive round-up of Family Friendly Baton Rouge Holiday & Christmas Events to make it easy for Baton Rouge families to find things to do this Christmas season, we hope you enjoy it! Be sure to click  “GOING” on the Event Page to receive updates on Baton Rouge area holiday events and activities! We will update the list daily and welcome the community to list events as well!

There will be many fun events that you won’t want to miss taking place, we’ve created a fun Christmas Events List printable for you to print and fill out so you don’t miss a thing! 
Baton Rouge Moms PrintableBaton Rouge Christmas events bucket list printable

 

FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM  for more community info, activities and events!

Thanks to Rapid Urgent Care for sponsoring the Holiday Events Guide.

Kids Eat Free or Discounted in Baton Rouge – Halloween Edition

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Nobody has time to cook dinner on Halloween night so grab a FREE or discounted Kids meal instead! You will want to check out this list of Kids Eat Free offers on Halloween in Baton Rouge.  As always, we do recommend calling to confirm before you head out to the restaurant of your choice.

Kids eat free in baton rouge

 

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill 

Applebee’s is offering a Kids Eat Free special on Halloween. Families who dine-in at their local Applebee’s restaurant Oct. 31 will receive two free kids’ meals with the purchase of each adult entrée. The offer is good for children 12 and younger. They can choose entrees off of the Applebee’s Kids’ Menu, including a side dish, and juice, milk or chocolate milk. Check with your closest location.

Chuck E. Cheese

Participating locations will be giving away free slices of Candy Corn Pizza on the hour, every hour on the hour from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, while supplies last. Also through Halloween, kids get 50 free tickets when they stop in wearing their Halloween costumes. Learn more at www.chuckecheese.com.

Costumed guests to receive Boorito for $4 at Chipotle

Customers who dress in their finest ghoulish attire and visit Chipotle after 3 p.m. will receive a Boorito for $4. Other discounted menu items will also be available including select bowls and salads. Limit one Boorito per person. The special can also be used for pick up orders, without costumes, with the app, use code Boorito. Visit www.chipotle.com to find a location near you.

Kids eat free at McAlister’s Deli

On Oct. 31, McAlister’s is offering free kids meals to costumed guests ages 12 and under with the purchase of an adult entree. This is available for dine-in guests and only items from the Kids Menu apply.

Kids Eat Free cannot be combined with any other offer and there is no cash value. Valid at participating restaurants only. Participating restaurants in our area are the Turkey Creek location, Schaad Road location, Deane Hill location, as well as Alcoa, Pigeon Forge, Johnson City and Oak Ridge locations. For more information visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

Krispy Kreme gives a free doughnut to costumed guests

On Oct. 31, wear a costume to participating Krispy Kreme location and get one free doughnut of your choice. No purchase necessary. Offer valid from opening to closing or while supplies last. One doughnut per person. Visit www.krispykreme.com to find a location near you.

International House of Pancakes celebrates Halloween

Scary face pancakes will be free at participating International House of Pancakes locations from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 31, for children ages 12 and under. The offer is good for one per child and it is for dine-in customers only. Visit http://www.ihop.com for a location near you.

Sonic offers discount corn dogs

Corn dog lovers can enjoy 50-cent dogs-on-a-stick all day on Halloween, Oct. 31. Visit www.sonic.com to find a location near you.

Cafe Americain-Juban Crossing Kids in Costumes Eat Free!

Monday through Wednesday, when kids in Halloween costumes eat free! All kids, under the age of 12, eat free if they are in a costume! Bring the whole family to Café!

Joe’s Crab Shack

If you show the server THIS flyer and your kids come dressed in their costume, free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

kids eat free baton rouge

Kids Eat Free at These Locations on Wednesday

We always recommend calling the location to confirm!! 

Frank’s Restaurant (Prairieville)
Kids 12 and under eat FREE

El Magey Mexican Restaurant
Kids under 11 eat free! (One free child buffet per adult in party, with purchase of drink.) Select from buffet or choose Chicken Fingers & French Fries.

View our full Kids Eat Free guide here!

BATON ROUGE AREA HALLOWEEN – TRICK-OR-TREATING & TRUNK-OR-TREAT

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Grab your ghosts and goblins and get ready for some Baton Rouge Halloween family fun, we have all of the details for Trick or Treat times and Trunk or Treat events below. 

BATON ROUGE HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT HOURS

Baton Rouge Halloween trick-or-treat

{TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE}

 East Baton Rouge Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
 West Baton Rouge Parish — 5:50 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31
 Ascension Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
 Livingston Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Oct. 31
 Pointe Coupee Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in rural areas
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. City of New Roads costume contest
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Morganza
6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. in Livonia
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fordoche
 East Feliciana Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
 West Feliciana Parish — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31

TRUNK-OR-TREAT – Baton Rouge & Beyond

Click on images to see event page! 

Baton Rouge Trunk or Treat Wednesday at 6 PM – 7:30 PM
FREE Family Fun! Decorated trunks, plenty of candy, games & inflatables, cake walk, food for the whole family, karaoke & more! Hosted by Bethel Church.

 

 

Baton Rouge Trunk or Treat

Wednesday at 6 PM – 8 PM
Enjoy a family friendly atmosphere with games, activities, decorated trunks, food, candy and much more!!!
Hosted by Councilwoman Erika L. Green- Metro Council District 5 and The Charles R. Kelly Community Center

 

Baton Rouge trunk or treat

October 30th and 31st from 6pm – 8pm
To provide a safe and fun environment for kids and families to enjoy Halloween festivities, Supreme Chevrolet will be hosting “Trunk-or-Treat” costume parties on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30th and 31st from 6pm – 8pm. Kids and adults alike are encouraged to dress up and get into the spirit of things as they visit decorated car trunks where “Supreme Creatures” will be passing out treats. Party goers will vote on best kid and grown-up costumes while enjoying music, snacks and refreshments. The public is invited and admission is one can per person that will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Hosted by Chevrolet of Gonzales

 

Baton Rouge Trunk or Treat

Wednesday at 6 PM – 8 PM
Trunk or Treat is a Free Family event at Lighthouse Church on Oct 31st 6pm to 8pm. Candy, Free Food, Inflatables, and Much More.  3844 Noble St Zachary LA 225-301-1677 Hosted by Lighthouse Church-Zachary

 

Baton Rouge Trunk or Treat

Wednesday at 6 PM – 8 PM
This is a FREE and SAFE alternative to Halloween for the community in our church parking lot. We will have decorated trunks, games, candy, prizes and chili. This event is for the entire family so don’t miss out on the fun! Hosted by Ascension Baptist Church

 

Baton Rouge Trick or Treat

Wednesday at 6 PM – 8 PM
Join the fun at Zoar Baptist Church for our Annual Fall Festival! It is a fun Halloween alternative! GAMES, INFLATABLES, TRUNK OR TREAT, & FOOD! Hosted by Zoar Baptist Church in Central.

 

 

Swamp Haunted Hikes – BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

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Mamas, you don’t want to miss BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center‘s Swamp Haunted Hikes, designed specifically for younger children. Our kids had a great time last year, it’s an evening chock-full of activities and not-so-scary Halloween fun! Check out our short video from last year below! 
 
Swamp Haunted Hikes

 Swamp Haunted Hikes – BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

This program is an alternative to the commercial haunted houses, which are geared more for teenagers and adults. Spooky Storytime and make-and-take crafts are offered in the Education Building. Trek through the Swamp Graveyard Maze to get to our Crazy Carnival Games and a face-painting station. Interact with snakes, insects, rats, and other “creepy critters” at treat stations along the Haunted Hike Trail. Pass through our Animal Morgue to visit with more live animals from Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary – and don’t forget to check out nature’s “grossest” in the Creepy Cavern.
Swamp Haunted Hikes
 
Costumed characters lurk throughout the site ready to share “kooky treasures” with all the attending little witches, fairies, hobgoblins, and heroes. No scare tactics are used during this program, and participants are welcome (and encouraged) to come in costume. Bring a flashlight. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Food vendors will be on site selling snacks and beverages. Sponsored by DIG Magazine. Join us at Haunted Hikes for some family-friendly Halloween fun!
 
We hope to see you there!
 

 
 

WHEN: Oct 12 + 19 + 26 – Doors open at 6 p.m., trail opens at dark

COST: $6 per person 

10/31 Consortium’s 6th Annual Ghostly Gala Fundraiser

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Kick off the Fifolet Halloween Festival at the 6th Annual Ghostly Gala! This event is the corresponding masquerade ball to the Baton Rouge Halloween Parade, 10/31 Consortium’s main fundraiser. Guests will enjoy an open bar, a full buffet with amazing desserts, door prizes, raffle drawings, costume contest, table decorating contest, dancing, games, live entertainment, live music and more! The Ghostly Gala is a major fundraiser for 10/31 Consortium. Proceeds from the gala help further their initiatives of creating a safe and happy Halloween for the children in our community. 

There are many reasons to love all that 10/31 Consortium hosts during Halloween season but there is a reason and a cause behind all the fun… above all else, 10/31 Consortium is about providing hope and resources for children. It is their goal to inspire and encourage the children of Baton Rouge through the fun and creativity of Halloween. They have chosen three very worthy charities as beneficiaries of our hard work and living symbols of their motto: Community, Courage, Creativity.

Entertainment this year includes live music from Carbon Copy Band and a special performance by Bayou Cirque entitled “Dark Circus!” You don’t want to miss Baton Rouge’s most artistic, creative and wicked charity fundraiser of the year!

6th Annual Ghostly Gala

WHEN: Friday, October 19 
WHERE: Crown Plaza Executive Center – Main Ballroom 4728 Constitution Avenue
Raffles and Games: Raffle and game tickets must be purchased in order to participate. These can be purchased in advance or at the door. Raffle item preview coming soon! Bring non-perishable food or a child-sized costume donation to receive door prize tickets. The dress is costume or creative formal. This is a 21+ event. See pictures from past Ghostly Galas HERE!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://1031consortium.com/index.php/ghostly-gala-2/

 

 

Raising Compassionate Leaders – Kids’ Court Youth Leadership Program

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Many of you know 10/31 Consortium as the organization that plans the Baton Rouge Halloween Parade and many other fun events on the Fifolet Halloween Festival schedule. However, few realize these Halloween enthusiasts are also a creative community-minded 501c3 nonprofit. The mission of the organization is to give every child in our area a safe and happy Halloween. This sounds simple enough but the reality is a complex network of giving built on a foundation of love for the City of Baton Rouge, its children, and of course, Halloween. (Read more on their Goals and Objectives HERE.)

Kids’ Court Youth Leadership and Volunteer Program

Earlier this year, 10/31 Consortium announced a new program for children: The Kids’ Court Youth Leadership and Volunteer Program. This program, for children age 6 to senior in high school, teaches valuable lessons in organization, compassion and public speaking. Participating children are also the selection pool to receive the honors of Baton Rouge Halloween Parade Royalty.

The program has 2 components: Service Work and Royal Titles.

Children in the Service Work phase of the program manage 10/31 Consortium’s Costume and Candy Drive by decorating and delivering donation bins to drop off locations, collecting donations, and then sorting and matching donations to children in need. They also manage and staff the Costume Giveaway Day which puts costumes directly into the hands of children who need them. The Service Work phase runs from mid-August to mid-October. Applications for Service Work may be submitted at any time. Only children who have fully completed Service Work in the year prior will be eligible for Royal Titles, like Prince or Princess of the Halloween Parade. Note that it is stated on the website, “Considering the newness of the program, there may be some overlap in Service Work and Royal Titles during the first few years until the application pool increases.”

Raising Compassionate Leaders

2018 Kids’ Court: Prince Wesley Stein, Princess Madeline McCoy, and Pages Caroline Chick, Clara Collins, Iris Collins, Lola Didier, Alex Gabel, Jack Gabel, Ella King and Ciarra Whyte

Raising Compassionate Leaders

There are many program benefits listed on the website:

Lessons in Organization – Managing the Costume and Candy Drive teaches children time management and responsibility. They must decorate and deliver donation bins within a certain time-frame, follow up with the donation location, and sort through the hundreds of donated costumes to match them to beneficiaries. Natural leaders will flourish in this process and those needing to hone these skills gain valuable experience.

Lessons in Compassion – Staffing the Costume Giveaway Day is an experience they will never forget. Families from all over the Baton Rouge area (and even as far away as New Orleans) line up to “shop” the free costume selection. Your children will assist, serve and help children in need find the costume they have always wanted. The feeling of giving those smiles and the simple joy of a Halloween costume to a child who might not otherwise have it is a beautiful experience.

Lessons in Public Speaking – Children awarded with Royal Titles will have opportunities to represent the Kids’ Court Program at various community events. They will speak in front of a crowd and possibly in front of a camera. While these opportunities are generally reserved for the Prince and Princess, Pages may attend and assist as well. This is a lesson that will serve them well in adulthood.

Notoriety – Children awarded with Royal Titles will have may have their names and photographs appear in local publications. They will also have their names and photographs listed on the 10/31 Consortium website and on the 10/31 Consortium and Fifolet Halloween Festival social media profiles. The Prince and Princess will also have their picture on the Party Time Kids’ Court Float in the Baton Rouge Halloween Parade.

 

Coronation – Children awarded Royal Titles will receive a crown or pin and a sash at their official Royal Coronation as part of the Black and Orange Bash in late April.

 

You can read more about the program fees, which are unusually affordable for a parade royalty program, and rules HERE.

Costume Giveaway Day

According to Coupon Cabin, the average cost of a Halloween costume is $45. While certainly worth the expense, especially to Halloween fanatics like those in Friends of 10/31 Consortium, it is an impossible expense for many families, particularly those with multiple children. At 10/31 Consortium’s last Costume Giveaway Day, families came from as far away as New Orleans and stood in line for hours to “shop” the free costume selection.

This year’s Costume Giveaway Day is scheduled for Sunday, October 14 from 12 p.m. to 4:00pm at the North Sherwood Forest Community Park in Baton Rouge. Anyone interested in volunteering for the day or having their children participate in the Kids’ Court Youth Leadership and Volunteer Program should email info@1031Consortium.com.

Follow 10/31 Consortium on Facebook HERE.

Follow 10/31 Consortium on Instagram HERE.

Follow the Fifolet Halloween Festival on Facebook HERE.

Follow the Fifolet Halloween Festival on Instagram HERE.

 

PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge “Race to the Rescue” – TICKET GIVEAWAY

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No job is too big, no pup is too small! Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue, an action-packed, music-filled production! PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge is coming! 

It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. PAW Patrol to the rescue! Ryder summons Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma and Everest to rescue Mayor Goodway and to run the race in her place. Using their unique skills and teamwork, the pups show that “no job is too big, no pup is too small,” and share lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills and problem-solving as they make several heroic rescues on their race to the finish line.

PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge

PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge

The show includes two acts and an intermission and engages audiences with Bunraku puppetry, an innovative costuming approach that brings the PAW Patrol characters to life on stage with their vehicles and pup packs. The performance features up-tempo music and a cleverly written script that is a wonderful introduction to live theater for kids. Classic theatrical scenery, along with a high-tech video wall, visually transports families to an authentic PAW Patrol environment, including locations from the TV series, like Adventure Bay, The Lookout, Seal Island, Farmer Yumi’s farm and Jake’s Mountain. Special interactive video allows the audience to participate via interviews, solve clues with the Pups, follow Mayor Goodway and much more.  

PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge

What:      PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” coming to Baton Rouge!

When:     Friday               October 5            6:00 p.m.

               Saturday          October 6            10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.

               Sunday            October 7            2:00 p.m.                   

Where:    Raising Cane’s River Center              
              275 S. River Rd
              Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Tickets: Tickets start at $24. Tickets are available at the Raising Cane’s River Center Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. Ticket prices are inclusive of a $3 facility fee. Prices are subject to change. Additional fees and special offers may apply. A limited number of V.I.P. (Very Important Pup) Packages are available, starting at $137. Package features premium show seating, a commemorative lanyard, and an after-show Meet & Greet with PAW Patrol Live! walk-around characters.

PAW Patrol Live! Baton Rouge

 GIVEAWAY is now closed! 

Storm Preparedness – Tropical Storm Gordon

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There is still a lot of uncertainty with Tropical Storm Gordon. Currently, rainfall is the main concern for our area. The forecast is likely to change by Monday and Tuesday, but current projections show 5-7 inches of rain will fall in south Louisiana this week, according to the National Weather Service’s weather prediction center. The National Hurricane Center projects tropical storm-force winds of up to 60 mph will be possible in south Louisiana beginning Tuesday morning. We’ve put together a list of storm preparedness resources that we hope you will find helpful. 

With a severe storm system is approaching, some preparation can make a large difference in your safety (and comfort) before and afterward.

Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place and be prepared {sand bag list below}. 

Storm Preparedness

Storm Preparedness Resources

Resources

Preparation Before the Storm:

— Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.

— Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.

— Clear gutters of debris.

— Reinforce the garage door.

— Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.

— Fill a bathtub with water.

— Get a full tank of gas in one car.

— Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.

— Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.

— Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.

— Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.

— Have a current inventory of household property.

— Leave a note to say where you are going.

— Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.

— If possible, turn off the electricity, gas, and water for residence.

Emergency Preparedness list:

— A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.

— Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.

— A can opener.

— Flashlight(s).

— A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.

— Extra batteries.

— A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.

— A small fire extinguisher.

— A seven-day supply of medications.

— Vitamins.

— A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.

— Cell phones and chargers.

— Contact information for the family.

— A sleeping bag for each person.

— Extra cash.

— A silver foil emergency blanket.

— A map of the area.

— Baby supplies.

— Pet supplies.

— Wet wipes.

— A camera (to document storm damage).

— Insect repellent.

— Rain gear.

— Tools and supplies for securing your home.

— Plastic Sheeting.

— Duct tape.

— Dust masks.

— An extra set of house keys.

— An extra set of car keys.

— An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.

— Household bleach.

— Paper cups, plates, and paper towels.

— Activities for children.

— Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

Current Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

• BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Meyer Road
• BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
• BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 South Flannery Road
• BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road
• St. George Fire Department Headquarters – 14100 Airline Highway

Additional sandbag locations will be added tomorrow. Residents are advised to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

Sources: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center