Baton Rouge is kicking off the holiday season at our oldest winter tradition, the Festival of Lights, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. Gather with the community for the spectacular lighting of the 25-foot Christmas tree adorned with half a million sparkling lights at the North Boulevard Town Square. Beyond the tree lighting, this beloved event brings a magical evening packed with ice skating, fireworks, and plenty of winter fun for the entire family.

KIDS ICE SKATING & SNOW VILLAGE

Treat the little ones to the joy of playing in REAL snow right here in Baton Rouge! There’ll be 10 tons of snow at the North Boulevard Town Square for their entertainment. And just a short stroll away, let your kids experience Baton Rouge’s Rockefeller Center-style ice skating rink on the first floor of the Raising Cane’s River Center plaza. You can stand on the balcony and watch as they skate around the plaza! Ice skating begins at 4 p.m. (Ages 5-10 only) The Snow Village opens at 5 p.m. (Ages 5-15 only)

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & FIREWORKS

The centerpiece of the evening is the Baton Rouge Christmas tree lighting at 6:20 p.m. Join Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and Santa Clause as they light up the Christmas tree, signaling the start of the holiday season. This beautiful moment will be followed by a fireworks show at 7:45 p.m., lighting up the skies over the Mississippi River.

SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN

Following the magical Christmas tree lighting at the Town Square, Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, will make their way to Louisiana’s Old State Capitol for the special event, Santa in the Senate, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Take a photo and share your wish list with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the historic old Senate Chamber. Throughout the event, kids can unleash their creativity with arts and crafts. Everyone can anticipate a special surprise treat as they head out for the night.

ARTISTS VILLAGE 

Knock out some holiday shopping at the Artist Village, produced by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Discover unique handmade gifts for everyone on your list across multiple local artist booths on the Rhorer Plaza lawn. The Artist Village will also feature a bake sale, various food vendors, and hot chocolate to warm you up.

ENTERTAINMENT 

Downtown Baton Rouge will be bustling with festive activities as churches and museums come alive with live nativity scenes, joyful Christmas caroling, and much more. Join the community in celebrating the season with a delightful evening filled with warmth and merriment.

Wait, there’s more! The Baton Rouge Festival of Lights is just one of the many events happening across our town this holiday season.