BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Christmas is right around the corner, and it is time to get into the holiday spirit.

There are several events across the city including meet-and-greets with Santa, holiday parades, activities for the kids, Christmas tree lightings and writing letters to Santa. Some events begin as early as November and go on until Christmas Eve.

Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas playlist and check out these holiday events that will be taking place in the Baton Rouge area. This list will continue to be updated in the coming weeks as more events are announced.

Baton Rouge General Holiday Magical Lights

Baton Rouge General is celebrating its seventh year of hosting the Holiday Magical Lights walk-through that welcomes guests throughout the community.

  • When: Nov. 18-Dec. 31
  • Where: 8585 Picardy Ave.

Zoo Lights at the Baton Rouge Zoo

The trail of lights will be a spectacle to see when you walk through the Baton Rouge Zoo this holiday season.

  • When: Nov. 24-Dec. 30
  • Where: 3601 Thomas Road

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Visitors will have the chance to take their photos with Santa and enjoy holiday-themed games and giveaways throughout November and December.

  • When: Nov. 5 through Dec. 24
  • Where: 175 Bass Pro Blvd. in Denham Springs and 2200 W Cabela’s Parkway in Gonzales

2023 Festival of Lights

A tradition in the Baton Rouge area is back for another year as North Boulevard prepares to kick off the Christmas season with the Festival of Lights. There will also be free ice skating.

  • When: 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 1
  • Where: 222 North Blvd.

Uptown Scotlandville Christmas Tree Lighting

UPDATE: This event was rescheduled from Dec. 1 to Dec. 17 due to inclement weather.

In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, there will be plenty of kid’s activities, food trucks, vendors and live music.

  • When: 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 17
  • Where: Scotlandville Plaza

Christmas in the Plaza

The North Baton Rouge open market will be offering food, art and entertainment during this year’s Christmas in the Plaza.

  • When: 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 1
  • Where: 8418 Scotland Ave.

37th Annual Christmas in Central Parade

The 37th annual Christmas in Central Parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 2. The parade will begin at 11 a.m.

  • When: 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 2
  • Where: Joor Road in Central

Stay Fit & Jolly Christmas Parade

The City of Baker will be hosting its Stay Fit & Jolly Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2. There will also be a toy and bike giveaway. A health fair will take place on the same day.

  • When: Dec. 2
  • Where: The City of Baker

Christmas on Pointe

At this year’s Christmas on Pointe, visitors will be able to take pictures with Santa and eat from food trucks. They will also enjoy music from a DJ, arts and crafts, a Christmas market and inflatable games.

  • When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 2
  • Where: 14200 River Road

District 10 Christmas Parade

The parade will be kicking off at 3 p.m. at McKinley High School. According to a news release from the Office of Public Information for the City of Baton Rouge, the parade will feature several floats, band and throws.

  • When: 3 p.m. on Dec. 2.
  • Where: 800 E McKinley St.

All is Bright: Hometown Christmas

Local vendors from all over the state will participate in this year’s All is Bright: Hometown Christmas event. Enjoy food, Christmas music and rides.

  • When: 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 2
  • Where: 57920 Meriam St. in Plaquemine

Christmas Tree Lighting Festival 

This Christmas festival will have a 32-foot tree, a snow-filled Winter Wonderland, pop-up shop vendors, choirs, an ornament and craft station and free pictures with Santa.

  • When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
  • Where: Corner of N. Sherwood Forest and Big Bend Avenue

It’s Ebony Scrooge!

UpStage Theatre Company is presenting this play before Christmas. Tickets are being sold for $25.

  • When: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 2-3 & 10
  • Where: 1713 Wooddale Blvd.

A Rural Life Christmas

A Rural Life Christmas is back for its 19th year. Visitors will be able to enjoy a bonfire, musical groups and stories as they get into the holiday spirit.

  • When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3
  • Where: 4560 Essen Lane

Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Holiday

A show for all ages, the story follows a young bird’s journey south for the winter. “Dancing toy soldiers, caroling worms and performing poinsettias, light up the stage,” the show’s description reads on Manship Theatre’s website.

  • When: 2 p.m. Dec. 3
  • Where: 100 Lafayette Street

Cool Winter Nights And Hot Jazz

Enjoy a jazz ensemble’s performance of holiday favorites.

  • When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6
  • Where: 100 Lafayette Street

Festival of Trees

Local businesses will be displaying hand-decorated trees throughout the area at this year’s Festival of Trees.

  • When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7
  • Where: 9511 Creekview Drive

Snow & Glow

This year’s snow and glow event will have glow-in-the-dark performances, food trucks and meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Clause.

  • When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14
  • Where: 8585 Picardy Ave.

Baton Rouge Symphony Holiday Brass Concert

This is a free holiday concert happening in Baton Rouge.

  • When: 7 p.m. Dec. 8
  • Where: 8725 Jefferson Highway

A Christmas Carol 2023

Theatre Baton Rouge presents its annual performance of the Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.

  • When: Dec. 8-10, Dec. 14-17
  • Where: 7155 Florida Blvd.

St. Jean Vianney Catholic School Christmas Market

Over 60 booths will be at this year’s Christmas Market To Go with several food trucks. According to a news release from the school, admission is $10 and the market is open to the public.

  • When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 9
  • Where: 16266 South Harrell’s Ferry Road

Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade 2023

The Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade features a variety of parade floats, dancing groups and marching bands.

  • When: 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 9
  • Where: The parade starts at River Road and North Boulevard

The Christmas Spider

This show is an opera inspired by a Ukrainian legend. There will be a pre-show talk about the opera one hour before the show.

  • When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17
  • Where: 100 Lafayette Street

The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou

This holiday classic production with a Cajun twist returns to Baton Rouge in mid-December. Tickets are available now.

  • When: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 16-17
  • Where: Baton Rouge River Center Theatre for Performing Arts, 396 St. Louis Street

Ice Skating on the River

Bring the family ice skating in downtown Baton Rouge. Ice skating sessions are available.

  • When: Dec. 18-31, closed on Dec. 25
  • Where: 275 S. River Road

Do we need to add anything to the list? Email wvladigital@nexstar.tv and let us know!

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