Free Things to do in Baton Rouge

In Louisiana, we believe culture and a cordial atmosphere should never be sacrificed for cost! That’s why Baton Rouge hosts free festivals and fun facilities for anyone to enjoy all year round.

• Louisiana Art & Science Museum: Experience art and science firsthand with interactive exhibits at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Admission and unlimited planetarium shows are FREE on First Free Sunday.
• Louisiana's Old Governor's Mansion: Step back in time with a visit to the Louisiana Old Governor’s Mansion, open for Free First Sundays. Explore the grand architecture and rich history of this stately home once occupied by Governor Huey P. Long—perfect for history buffs and curious minds alike.
• LSU Center for River Studies: See the Mississippi River like never before for free at the LSU Center for River Studies on the first Sunday of the month!
• LSU Museum of Art: There’s family fun and art for everyone to see from 1-5 p.m. at the LSU Museum of Art, one of the largest university-affiliated art exhibitions in the South.
• Magnolia Mound: Explore this 1790s French Creole house and its 16 acres for FREE on First Free Sundays! Magnolia Mound is filled with furnishings and decorative arts, as well as carefully restored Louisiana-made objects. The historic house offers costumed guides, open-hearth cooking demos and other interactive programming.
• Find more museums that are apart of First Free Sunday to experience the best of Baton Rouge.

• Mardi Gras: When February rolls around, there are sure to be parades in every part of the city. From Krewe of Oshun opening the season and with the Krewe of Shenandoah closing it down, each of the parades is free for spectators, and you’re sure to bring home bags filled with free goodies!
• St. Patrick’s Day: The (free) party doesn’t stop once Mardi Gras ends! The annual Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day parade is a favorite among locals and visitors and is filled with fun and excitement for all.
• Live After Five: Each fall and spring, locals and visitors alike all gather on Friday nights at 5 o’clock (get it?) for the live music series held in downtown Baton Rouge. Grab a group and bring your dancing shoes for a fantastic start to your weekend!
• Rock N Rowe: Head to Perkins Rowe every Thursday for Rock N Rowe, a lively evening of local music, dancing, and fun under the stars. Bring a lawn chair, grab a dancing partner, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere!
• Scotland Saturdays: Celebrate the spirit of North Baton Rouge at Scotland Saturdays, the go-to spring festival for live music, local vendors, and community vibes. It’s a fresh mix of culture, creativity, and entertainment you won’t want to miss.
• Baton Rouge Blues Festival: Held each year in downtown Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the first and largest blues festivals in America, and best of all, it’s free for all to join!
• Hot Art Cool Nights: In the springtime, Mid City Merchants puts on a neighborhood-wide art festival all throughout Mid City Baton Rouge. You can peruse, pass by and even purchase art from local and wider-known artists as well as listen to live music at select venues!
• White Light Night: In the fall, Mid City Merchants also puts on White Light Night, the annual winter art festival in Baton Rouge’s eclectic Mid City neighborhood. Walk or take a free bus from one end of Government Street to the other as you eat, shop, listen to local live music and meet some local artists, designers and musicians.
• Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival: Free to enter, the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival offers the best of soul food in Baton Rouge, along with a vendor's village, live entertainment, the annual soul food competition, and more.
• Fourth of July: Each year on the Fourth of July, fireworks light up the sky during the annual Fourth of July Spectacular, and you can catch it for free on either side of the Mississippi River!
• Movies & Music on the Lawn: Free to all, listen to local acts perform never-before-heard scores for films while the film is projected onto a huge inflatable outdoor screen on the lawn. It's the perfect way to spend a night under the stars!
• Lebanese Festival: Experience the vibrant culture, food, and traditions of Lebanon at the annual Lebanese Festival, held each fall in Baton Rouge. This free event features authentic cuisine, live music, and traditional dance performances the whole family can enjoy.
• Festival of Lights: Watch as the 35-foot Christmas tree and 250,000 sparkling lights are lit, signifying the beginning of the holiday season in Baton Rouge! This free event features a snow village complete with ice skating, snow sledding (yes, even in Baton Rouge!), a visit from Santa Claus and a fireworks show.
• Red Stick Revelry: Some places may watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, but here in Baton Rouge, we do things a little differently. Ring in the New Year for free with live music, fireworks and the drop of a custom, LED-lit Red Stick from the Town Square beacon at midnight.

Parks are a great, free activity that any member of the family can enjoy! BREC has over 180 parks to choose from including playgrounds, trails and swimming pools! Find a Park near you to find the best way to spend your day. The splash pads are a favorite among kids and the perfect way to cool off from April to October. For your furry friends, BREC has many dog parks in the Baton Rouge area. Since they’re spread over multiple community parks, you’re bound to find the perfect park for your pup!

Red Stick Farmers Market: Every gorgeous Saturday morning from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., the local farmers market is open for perusing, shopping and tasting. The Red Stick Farmers Market prides itself on its fresh, local and seasonal produce that is only grown on the sellers’ farms. On the first Saturday of every month, be sure to check out the Baton Rouge Arts Market in the same location, where you'll be able to browse unique art and gifts from Baton Rouge's local creators. Feel free to simply walk around, get to know the locals and enjoy a beautiful morning activity in Baton Rouge.

Local Pop-Up: On the last Saturday of the month, local businesses and makers gather at The Electric Depot where you can shop all your favorites in one place! Find local arts, clothing items, handcrafted personal care products and much more!

• Louisiana State Capitol Observation Deck: Did you know that the Louisiana hosts the tallest capitol building in the nation with 34 floors? So tall, in fact, you get an incredible view of the city on the 27th floor Observation Deck for FREE! At 350 feet high, you can see the building’s courtyard gardens, parks and all of Downtown Baton Rouge. It’s truly a sight you’ll want to see.
• Louisiana’s Old State Capitol: Admission is always free at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, which houses the Museum of Political History. Walk through the state’s storied history in the gothic-style building, and learn about one of the most infamous governors in history, Huey P. Long.
• Louisiana State University: The state’s flagship university is filled with free attractions and activities. See one of the largest college football stadiums, Tiger Stadium, or say hi to the live mascot, Mike the Tiger, in his multi-million dollar habitat. Other free activities include walking the LSU Lakes and exploring the Hilltop Arboretum.
• Southern University: Home to the nation’s largest HBCU system, Southern University is incredibly historic and filled with free gems for all to explore. See the sculpture of the Red Stick in the location where it is said Baton Rouge got its name or stand in awe of A.W. Mumford Stadium, where fans cheer on the Jags and jam to the Human Jukebox at every home football game.
• Art by JZumo: Local artist, Jacob Zumo, opened his own gallery in Baton Rouge, complete with free tours. You can also see some of his art around town on buildings, including the larger-than-life praying hands mural.
• Murals: Explore any neighborhood in Baton Rouge, and you’re sure to stumble upon a gallery of murals and street art. Grab your camera and a friend and embark on a tour of murals in Baton Rouge!
• LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens: Take a stroll through the gardens and see what's in bloom during the season when you visit the Botanic Gardens. Offering free admission year-round, this is the perfect place to be one with nature.

With so many free and fun events to experience, your trip to the Red Stick doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out our events calendar for all things to do in Baton Rouge, and start planning your trip today!