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Winter is a surprisingly pleasant time of the year here in Baton Rouge, with temperate weather and holiday cheer filling the season. Kick off the holidays right here in Baton Rouge, with ice skating, light displays, extravagant celebrations to ring in the New Year and the beginning of Carnival season.
Traditionally, Baton Rouge welcomes the holiday season at the downtown event, Festival of Lights, where revelers can enjoy live performances, ice skating and snow sledding (yes, you read that correctly – snow sledding in Baton Rouge!) for the kiddos, a tree lighting and a local makers village that is complete with a baked goods sale and hot chocolate.
The celebrations continue throughout the season as the Raising Cane’s River Center opens the rinks for ice skating and light displays begin popping up throughout the city. Baton Rouge General is known for their annual light display, which elaborately features over 400,000 lights set to a synchronized twinkling and music display. You can find a full list of holiday light displays in the Capital region here.
Don’t forget about making your list and checking it twice! Giving the gift of Baton Rouge is made easy with the plethora of holiday markets, local pop-up events and holiday specials. By shopping local or visiting one of our local shopping centers, you’re sure to find a gift for everyone on your list.
For many places, the ringing in of the New Year signifies the end of the holiday season, but in Baton Rouge, that just isn’t the case! Locals and many visitors know that the New Year brings perhaps the best season of all – Carnival season! King cakes start stocking the shelves on January 6 and are available until Mardi Gras day, and restaurants, coffee shops and bars introduce creative recipes to their menus to tie in this holiday favorite. You would be remiss if you were to pay a visit to the Capital City without trying one of these delectable treats!