As the temperatures begin to drop, Baton Rouge truly comes alive under the early-setting sun. Fall ushers in some of the best that the city has to offer—football, festivals, and, of course, incredible food. Whether it's savoring a steaming bowl of gumbo or cheering on your favorite team in the refreshing fall air, there's something special about this season in Baton Rouge. From piping hot bowls of gumbo to a calendar packed with festivals, keep reading to discover why Baton Rouge is the perfect fall getaway!

FOOTBALL SEASON

Here in Baton Rouge, it’s no secret that football is king of the fall season. The city comes alive as LSU and Southern University fans (as well as fans of rival schools) flock to the city ready to cheer their teams to victory. The breezy fall weather provides the perfect setting for a Saturday night in Death Valley or a day spent tailgating before heading into A.W. Mumford Stadium.

GUMBO WEATHER

Arguably, any weather could be considered gumbo weather, but it just hits different on a crisp fall day. While you can certainly find it on menus year-round, the demand increases as the weather gets cooler, and with National Gumbo Day being Oct. 12, it just makes sense to add it to a list of reasons why you should visit Baton Rouge in the fall. Some favorite spots for gumbo include Dempsey’s, The Chimes, Eliza Restaurant and Parrain’s.

OUTDOOR DINING

Al fresco dining is done right in Baton Rouge, especially when the weather is as pleasant as it is in the fall! With rooftops overlooking the city and sprawling lush patios providing an oasis, there is no better way to enjoy dinner and drinks than out in the breezy fall weather.

FALL FESTIVALS

Fall is filled with fairs and festivals in Baton Rouge, and you can find everything from pumpkins to pups and soul food to shopping. Whatever your interest, there are can’t-miss fairs and festivals almost every weekend during the fall in Baton Rouge!

Brew at the Zoo
Friday, Sept. 27

The 10th annual Brew at the Zoo is set to take place this year on September 27th! This popular after-hours event invites guests aged 21 and over to the zoo for an evening of beer tasting, food sampling, live music, animal encounters, and much more. With a limited capacity of 1,500 attendees, Brew at the Zoo has become one of the most anticipated fall events in Baton Rouge, consistently selling out each year. Be sure to secure your tickets before they're all gone!

Federales Festival
Saturday, Oct. 5

Federales Festival is back in Baton Rouge for its second year! The festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5. Located at the Live Oak Arabian Horse Farm at Cedar Lodge, this one-day event will feature music that'll highlight our southern musical roots with national, regional, and local acts. From country to rock-n-roll, and Americana performances, you don't want to miss this event! Grab your tickets here.

Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Thursday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Nov. 3

The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair will be back on Thursday, Oct. 24, and will run until Sunday, Nov. 3! Enjoy the carnival rides and games you know and love, while chowing down on cotton candy and all the fair food you've dreamt of all year long.

Louisiana Book Festival
Saturday, Nov. 2

The Louisiana Book Festival is back to celebrate readers, writers and books. This day-long event features more than 200 writers for book talks, signings and exhibits, as well as face painting, arts and crafts and meet and greets with story book characters.

Cap City Beer Fest
Sunday, Nov. 3

Held in downtown Baton Rouge, Cap City Beer Fest is an afternoon filled with unlimited tastings of local favorite and international beers, all for a good cause. Benefitting Companion Animal Alliance, Cap City Beer Fest will feature a commemorative glass included in ticket fees, rides on Pedal Pub, music from local DJs and food from local food trucks.

St. Francisville Food and Wine Festival
Friday, Nov.8-Sunday, Nov.10

Just 30 minutes north of Baton Rouge, the annual St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival offers a weekend-long celebration of the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Set in one of Louisiana's most picturesque and historic small towns, the festival showcases the talents of acclaimed chefs, inventive wine pairings, and a variety of tastings that include cocktails, spirits, and craft beer. With live entertainment enhancing the experience, this event is a must for anyone looking to savor the unique flavors and vibrant culture of the region. Grab your tickets here.

White Light Night

Friday, Nov. 22

White Light Night is Baton Rouge’s Mid City neighborhood’s largest fall festival featuring live music, art, food and more. White lights span the businesses lining Government Street, and attendees will have the opportunity to shop from local vendors and enjoy food and drinks from local restaurants.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Outdoor activities are great year-round, but fall is really when the hiking trails really seem to shine! Wind your way through the unique, indigenous foliage of hiking trails located both inside and outside the city limits. Encounter wildlife unique to the Louisiana landscape at Frenchtown Conservation Area or walk, run or bike alongside the LSU Lakes right on the edge of campus. Whatever you choose, we can’t think of a more pleasant time to get outdoors.

FALL COFFEE

Autumn ushers in pumpkin spice season, and Baton Rouge is no stranger to all things pumpkin flavored. Make the most of pumpkin spice season by signing up for the Baton Rouge Coffee Trail Pass and checking in to local coffee shops for a chance to earn points towards a prize. Not a big pumpkin spice fan? There are more ways to get a taste of fall, such as Brew-Ha-Ha!’s seasonal cake ball flavors or Light House Coffee’s cinnamon roll latte.

OYSTER SEASON

For those unfamiliar with the many food seasons of Louisiana, oyster season arrives in September and carries on through winter and early spring – traditionally, months containing the letter “R.” Whether you prefer them raw, fried or chargrilled, Baton Rouge restaurants serve up some of the freshest and best oysters around. Locals recommend Beausoleil, Phil’s Oyster Bar or Jolie Pearl for some great happy hour oyster deals.

CORN MAZE & SUNFLOWER FIELDS

The Corn Maze at Burden is one of Baton Rouge’s biggest events in the fall! Held adjacent to the sunflower fields (which provide the perfect photo backdrop), the Corn Maze is complete with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hayride and gargantuan games. You can also experience the corn maze at night at the Night Maze, where you can stroll through the maze, roast marshmallows by the bonfire and dance to live music. Corn Maze dates for this year is every Saturday in October, while the Night Maze will be Oct. 26 only.

LIVE MUSIC

Live music really picks up in the fall, with live music series like Live After Five, Sundays in the Park and Rock n Rowe. Dance along to some favorite local bands – don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs!

HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Halloween celebrations in Baton Rouge span the whole month of October and even a little bit of September! Whether you’re into tricks or treats, we have it all right here in Baton Rouge.

The 13^th Gate Haunted House
The 13^th Gate is one of the top haunted houses in the country and is known for its 13 nightmarish realms where your worst fears come true and anything can happen. With its extreme and detailed realism, this 40,000 square-foot haunted house isn’t for the faint of heart, running everything weekend from Sept. 27 until Halloween night.

Boo at the Zoo
With kiddos in costumes and animal friends, there is no cuter Halloween event in Baton Rouge than Boo at the Zoo! Held Oct. 19 – 20 and Oct. 26 – 27, this event features photo ops throughout the Baton Rouge Zoo of fall and Halloween structures, as well as festive enrichments so the animals can join the fun.

Fifolet Festival
Fifolet Festival is Baton Rouge’s premiere Halloween event and spans a whole weekend filled with fun! Kicking off the events on the Thursday before Halloween is the Fifolet Pub Crawl, with a Costume Ball to follow on Friday. The real magic happens on the Saturday before Halloween, when those who dare compete in the Fifolet 5K, followed by a market filled with spooky goodies and a Halloween parade, as no holiday in Louisiana is truly celebrated without a parade!

Boo with the Krewe
Held in Scotlandville, Boo with the Krewe is a family-friendly Halloween festival held on Halloween, offering an exciting way to enjoy the holiday! With vendors, carnival-themed activities and entertainment, and of course, trick or treating, this event is sure to be fun for the whole family. Dates to come soon!