Check out these America 250 events happening in Baton Rouge and beyond
Get fired up for America’s 250th anniversary with these local celebratory events.
June 10
America 250: Louisiana at the Frontier of a New Nation
The State Library of Louisiana kicks off its America 250 programming with a free public seminar exploring Louisiana’s role in the nation’s founding. Historian Ray Berthelot and reenactor Chris Achee, portraying Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, will discuss Spanish Louisiana’s contributions to the Revolutionary War. The event also marks the opening of a special exhibition by the same name featuring historical maps and documents from the State Library’s Louisiana Collection. library.la.gov
June 13
“Day the War Stopped”
Take a look back at local Civil War history at this daylong St. Francisville event commemorating the 1863 burial of Union Commander John Hart. A living history reenactment, period music and dancing are all on the agenda, along with a jambalaya cookoff and historic site tours. felicianalodge31.com
June 27
“The Loyal Colony: Sources of Pro-British Sentiment in the Forgotten 14th Colony”
The Livingston Parish Library’s Denham Springs-Walker branch hosts historian Samuel Hyde for a presentation discussing British West Florida, which included the area that is now Louisiana’s Florida Parishes. Considered the “14th colony,” the region was home to many British loyalists but is now often left out of accounts of this time in early American history. mylpl.info
July 4
America 250 Celebration
The Louisiana America 250 Commission and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor present this free patriotic concert at Repentance Park downtown, beginning at 3 p.m. and leading up to the fireworks show at 9 p.m. The lineup of performers includes Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Amanda Shaw, John Schneider and Wayne Toups. visitbatonrouge.com/america250/
July 4
WBRZ’s Fireworks on the Mississippi
The 51st year of this annual Capital City event is presented by Visit Baton Rouge. visitbatonrouge.com
Through July 11
“Bought For A Song: A Young Nation Expands”
The Louisiana Purchase agreement signed by Napoleon Bonaparte is on display at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. Admission is free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
Through summer
Traveling America 250 Trunk
In partnership with the Louisiana State Library and the Louisiana State Museum, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will host specially curated America 250 “traveling trunk” interactive displays at local branches with interpretive programming. The trunks highlight Louisiana’s history under Spanish Rule during colonial times and during the American Revolution and include artifact replicas that are meant to be touched. ebrpl.com
September 17
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America”
For the first show of its 80th anniversary season, BRSO is honoring another anniversary. “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” is a special concert celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with works by Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, Florence Price, and Peter Boyer. Expect narrations and a large orchestra that will help tell the stories of immigrants who came to the United States in search of the American dream between 1910 and 1940. brso.org
Through October 31
“Building Community, Building Louisiana: The People of the Rural Life Museum”
This LSU Rural Life Museum exhibit, curated in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, highlights the everyday Louisianans who shaped the state’s history through personal stories, artifacts and the historic structures they once called home. Author talks, performances, exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations will also be offered to bring these stories to life. lsu.edu/rurallife
November 16
The American Revolution screening
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol will host an early screening of this new PBS documentary series before its national premiere. The event includes complimentary food and drinks and is presented in partnership with Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Louisiana America 250 chapter. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
Date to be announced
USS Kidd Welcome Home celebration
The USS Kidd’s long-anticipated return to its berth along the downtown Baton Rouge riverfront has been delayed by historically low Mississippi River levels, postponing the ship’s planned “Welcome Home” celebration. Organizers say a new date will be announced once conditions allow the historic destroyer to be safely reinstalled. usskidd.com
This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of 225 Magazine.
