The calendar keeps filling up with things to do this month, but luckily, we have you covered! If you haven’t had your fill of king cake yet, make sure to sample all the cakes and other specialty items throughout Baton Rouge. Start making your Mardi Gras plans – with multiple parades per weekend, you’re sure to catch sight of beautiful floats and marching bands in the streets of Baton Rouge. Celebrate Black History Month by following our Black History Trail throughout the city and dining and shopping at locally-owned businesses. The month of love also isn’t complete without celebrating Valentine’s Day accordingly – check out some of the most romantic restaurants in Baton Rouge and let us make the planning easy with our list of 50+ date night ideas. February is abuzz with activities and events all throughout the city!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN BATON ROUGE
The beautifully diverse Baton Rouge community is the great city it is today because of its deep roots in Black history and culture. Baton Rouge has been home to many African American leaders, artists, authors, filmmakers, chefs, inventors and more. It's one of the top destinations on African American heritage trails and civil rights trails across the country. Stops along the Black History Trail include the site of the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott of 1953, Southern University (the largest historically Black college and university in the world), the Louisiana State Capitol, and the Baton Rouge African American Museum.
MARDI GRAS IN BATON ROUGE
Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge is an annual celebration attended by thousands each year who join in and experience the exciting activities hosted in the Red Stick. Known for being family-friendly, Baton Rouge Mardi Gras has a little bit of everything. From beautifully designed floats to costumed canines, marching bands to lawnmower-pushing krewes, Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge is one you don’t want to miss. Besides, don’t you want to know what exactly those pink flamingos are all about? Start planning your trip today so you can snag a front-row seat to a fun-filled Baton Rouge Mardi Gras parade!
Krewe of Oshun - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023
CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023
Krewe of Artemis - Friday, Feb. 10, 2023
Krewe Mystique de la Capitale - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023
Krewe of Orion - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023
Mid City Gras - Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023
Krewe of Southdowns - Friday, Feb. 17, 2023
Spanish Town - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
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:
Tuesdays:
3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Main Library at Goodwood
7711 Goodwood Boulevard
Thursdays:
8 p.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
The Market @ The Oasis
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
13827 Coursey Boulevard
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, Capitol Park Museum or Magnolia Mound for a cost-effective way to #ExploreBatonRouge.
MARDI GRAS MAMBO
Mark your calendars for Feb. 4 to join runners from all over the South to celebrate Mardi Gras Baton Rouge style! Whether you are running the One Mile Fun Run, 10k or 15k, the whole family can celebrate Carnival Season with the Mardi Gras Mambo. This annual event runs in downtown Baton Rouge and starts and finishes at North Boulevard Town Square.
A CONVERSATION WITH JEFF TWEEDY FROM WILCO
Jeff Tweedy brings his captivating storytelling to Manship Theatre on Feb. 7, for fans, performers, or anyone who wants to make more room for art in their lives. Beyond stories from his incredible career, Tweedy gives concrete advice on working through a creative block, becoming comfortable with failure, and bringing play back into the creative process.
VALENTINE’S EVENTS
Celebrate Valentine’s Day all week long with these events in Baton Rouge! Whether you already have someone special in your life or are single and ready to mingle, there are events and specials waiting for you in Baton Rouge.
Valentine’s Day Dinner & Concert
“Singled Out” Speed Dating at Tin Roof Brewery
Dinner Under the Stars at LASM
LSU AGCENTER EVENTS
Camellia Society Annual Sale & Show – Feb. 11-12
Birding at Burden – Feb. 18
BATON ROUGE MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL
The Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival is BACK at North Boulevard Town Square in downtown Baton Rouge on Feb. 18! It will feature continuous live music of various genres, a vendor’s village and food court filled with favorites. Start the celebration early at the Pre-Party, held on Feb. 16, at the Henry Turner, Jr. Listening Room.
FOR THE KIDS
In this original storyline, a famous scientist with magical powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually stunning and has been praised for its cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance by audiences all over the world. See it for yourself at the Manship Theatre on Feb. 5!
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS
For the 18th consecutive year, ShortsTV presents the Oscar-Nominated Short Films. With all three categories offered – Animated, Live Action and Documentary – this is your annual chance to predict the winners (and have the edge in your Oscar pool)! A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. Watch them all at Manship Theatre on Feb. 23, Feb. 24 and Feb. 26.
225FEST
The inaugural 225Fest kicks off in downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, Feb. 25! This festival culminates the rich history of Baton Rouge and the culture that powers the capital region combined with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop! Food trucks, live performances, art walk, panel discussions, kids activities and more are what you can expect for #225Day!
H. PARROTT BACOT LECTURE SERIES: LECTURE BY DR. BLAISE DUCOS
Dr. Blaise Ducos, the Curator of 17th- and 18th-Century Dutch and Flemish Paintings at the Musée du Louvre, discusses European decorative arts at the LSU Museum of Art on Feb. 28, with a reception to follow. Attendance is free!
LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY SHOWS
Live Music & Comedy Shows in Baton Rouge:
Open Mic Night at The Station
Hair Band Ball at Manship Theatre
Randolph Thomas at La Divina
OMG! Original Music Gatherings at La Divina
Live Music Night at Crowne Plaza Executive Center
Rick Adams at La Divina
Second Sunday at Oxbow Rum Distillery
Alma Russ at La Divina
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra: Percussion Ensemble Chamber Concert
Jeff Bajon at La Divina
Parker McCollum at the Raising Cane's River Center