Spring is here in Baton Rouge, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate this month in Baton Rouge! With longer days and plenty of sunlight, it’s time to get outdoors and see all there is to explore. Listen to the music at live concert series such as Scotland Saturdays and Live after Five or fill your belly at the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival. Whatever you choose to do, May in Baton Rouge is sure to be an adventure!
GIN JOINT JAMS AT THE TUNNEL
Head down to The Tunnel at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center every Thursday evening for Gin Joint Jams Night. Sip on cocktails in this speakeasy-style bar and enjoy tunes from local Louisiana entertainers.
BUSKING IN DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE:
Spring busking has returned to downtown Baton Rouge! Located downtown on the corner of Florida and Third Street, spring busking is held every Friday in May and features Louisiana musicians and artists.
- May 3 – Andrew Bonette
- May 10 – Florida Street Blowhards
- May 17 – Billy Calloway
- May 24 – Lazarro Nettles and Dee
- May 31 – Florida Street Blowhards
OPERA LOUISIANE PRESENTS THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
Figaro! Figaro! FIGARO! Based on a play called Le Barbier de Séville by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais, this is the first of three plays about a character called Figaro. Silliness ensues through a tale of bribery, deception, disguise, and of course, true love when Figaro plays matchmaker for his former employer and assists Count Almaviva in winning the heart of Rosina and freeing her from her lecherous guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Opera Louisiane will be performing on May 3 and 5!
RED STICK FARMERS MARKET
Stock up on fresh and healthy produce with the Red Stick Farmers Market, held multiple times a week. On the first Saturday of the month, shoppers can also find art vendors set up at the Baton Rouge Arts Market, located downtown.
Markets in Baton Rouge this Month:
Thursdays:
8 a.m.– 12 p.m.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
6400 Perkins Road
Saturdays:
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Main Street Market
5th and Main Streets
ARTS MARKETS
Arts markets are poppin' up all over Baton Rouge this August! Shop for goods by local makers and artisans, whether you're looking for something for yourself or a gift for a loved one.
Antioch Artisans Market
Saturdays
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Baton Rouge Arts Market at the Red Stick Farmers Market
May 4
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO IN BATON ROUGE
Cinco de Mayo may be around the corner, but let’s be honest – we’re always craving chips and queso! We looked at locals’ votes for Best of 225, along with lists from TripAdvisor and Yelp, and we’ve compiled a list of the best places for Mexican food and margaritas here in Baton Rouge.
FREE ACCESS FOR ALL DAY: ALL ABOUT QUILTS
Enjoy a FREE day filled with a quilting demonstration, collage quilt craft and folklore storytelling, on May 5, at the LSU Museum of Art.
FIRST FREE SUNDAY
Every first Sunday of the month, Baton Rouge museums team up for free admission from 1 – 5 p.m. Swing by the LSU Museum of Art, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, Magnolia Mound or LSU Center for River Studies for a cost-effective way to #ExploreBatonRouge.
BOUDREAUX & THIBODEAUX’S SECOND LINE AFTER 5
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s is teaming up with Live After Five to bring you the Second Line After Five! Boogie your way down Third Street led by the Brass Hearts Brass Band to the after party held B & T’s.
CASTING CROWNS AT RAISING CANE’S RIVER CENTER
Multi-platinum-selling Grammy winners Casting Crowns will take their powerful live performances on the road, complete with a stop at the Raising Cane’s River Center on May 10, at 7 p.m.
CRAWFISH KING COOK OFF
Who will the crawfish king be? Find out for yourself at the Crawfish King Cook Off, starting at 4 p.m., on May 10, at Rhorer Plaza. Jam out to tunes from Live After Five and sample your way through city’s best amateur boilers!
HOT ART, COOL NIGHTS
Mid City’s spring arts and culture festival is back on Friday, May 10! This festival is totally free and spans from Jefferson Highway at Goodwood to the intersection of Government and 14th Streets, and is filled with live music, food and drink and art for purchase.
FIRST WEDNESDAY OPENING RECEPTION
Kick off the month with Baton Rouge Gallery’s First Wednesday Reception! Each first Wednesday of the month, BRG opens its doors to introduce the latest work by local and regional artists, all for free!
LIVE AFTER FIVE IN BATON ROUGE
L’AUBERGE CASINO EVENTS THIS MONTH:
MONSTER TRUCK NITRO TOUR
Monster trucks are invading the Raising Cane’s River Center on May 11 for TWO monster shows! See these incredible giants compete in racing, wheelie contests and rock the house with freestyle action, starting at 1:30 p.m.!
THE 121’S DUELING PIANOS
Join The 121 on Saturday, May 11, at 7 p.m., for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment with Dueling Pianos performed by 88 Reasons Why! Playing your favorite songs (and taking requests), these pianists will have you singing and dancing along, whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, country or classics.
BATON ROUGE SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL
Put your stretchy pants on and get ready to eat your way through the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival! This family-friendly festival will be held at the Main Library at Goodwood on May 18 – 19, and will include a cooking competition, vendor village and stage filled with live music.
BIRDING AT BURDEN
Birding at Burden is back on May 18, where 320 species of birds have been recorded. Grab your birding gear and join us bright and early to catch a glimpse of some of these species on a two-hour guided tour led by different birding specialists through the birding loops at Burden.
LEVITT AMP BATON ROUGE 2024 SPRING SEASON
Levitt AMP Baton Rouge live music series is back on May 25! Held at Scotlandville Plaza, this unforgettable experience will be held weekly until June 22 – lineup coming soon!
FOR THE KIDS
Blue Zoo Baton Rouge features several events throughout the week and month, sure to be a fun time for the kiddos! Watch as mermaids and pirates perform, sharks are fed and stingrays play, all at the Blue Zoo.
Toddler Thursday at the LSU Museum of Art
Held on the first Thursday of each month, join the LSU Museum of Art for fun activities for your little artist! Designed for kids five years old and under, toddlers will get to explore their creative side for only $5 for nonmembers and free for members.
LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY SHOWS
Delete Comedy presents Open Mic Night at The Station
Danielion at La Divina Italian Café
Gin Joint Jams at The Tunnel
Downtown Busking
Opera Louisiane presents The Barber of Seville
Live Music Weekend at Crowne Plaza Executive Center
Original Music Group at La Divina Italian Café
Eric Schmidt Live at La Divina Italian Café
Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s Second-Line After Five
Live After Five presents The Original Pinettes
Rumours ATL at L’Auberge Casino
The 121’s Dueling Pianos
Wes Collins at La Divina Italian Café
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More
Live After Five presents Bucktown Allstars
Steve Judice at La Divina Italian Café
Live After Five presents Michael Foster Project
Levitt AMP Baton Rouge Spring 2024 Season
Richard Marx at L’Auberge Casino
