Dec. 2
Festival of Lights
Head to North Boulevard Town Square at 200 North Blvd. for this holiday celebration featuring a snow village, music, Santa and the lighting of a 35-foot Christmas tree. The event also includes the Reindeer Ride Downtown Celebration. The events start at 4 p.m. and are free. downtownbatonrouge.org/events
Louisiana Art & Science Museum joins Festival of Lights with its Far-Out First Friday events. The night includes a craft station and holiday shows in the planetarium. 5-9 p.m. Admission is free with one toy donation to Toys for Tots. One donation per person is required for free admission. lasm.org
Dec. 4
The second annual Recovery Run Baton Rouge, a 5K run, one-mile walk and wellness fair benefitting the establishment of an LSU Collegiate Recovery Community, will be held at LSU Old Back Nine on Nicholson Extension. Registration varies. recoveryrunbr.com
Dec. 6-7
Cool Winter Nights and Hot Jazz
Head to the Manship Theatre for a big-band holiday concert. The event features the jazz trio of Brian Shaw, Willis Delony and Bill Grimes. 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. manshiptheatre.org
Dec. 9-18
‘The Happy Elf’
This holiday season Playmakers of Baton Rouge presents The Happy Elf, a musical comedy created by Harry Connick Jr. The story follows Eubie the Elf, whose goal is to introduce jazz to a new generation. Ticket prices and showtimes vary. playmakersBR.org
Dec. 10
Head downtown for the 66th annual Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Details on the route can be found online. christmasinbr.com
Dec. 16-17
Cangelosi Dance Project
The Cangelosi Dance Project will perform its Gala Holiday Mix at the Manship Theatre. On Dec. 16 beginning at 7 p.m., the show will include new choreographed works such as “Nutcracker Swagger.” On Dec. 17 beginning at 2 p.m., the show will feature Big Buddy Dancers, Jeffie Jean Dancers and Cangelosi Dance Project performing arts companies. Ticket prices vary. manshiptheatre.org
Dec. 17-18
The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Shows are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ticket prices vary. batonrougeballet.org
Through Dec. 30
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo will hold ZooLights throughout the month. Guests can walk through the zoo to check out illuminated sculptures and more. 5:30-8 p.m. Ticket prices vary. brzoo.org
NEW ORLEANS
Dec. 16-30
Head to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for NOLA ChristmasFest. The event includes carnival rides, crafting and Santa, among other activities. Tickets and times vary. nolachristmasfest.com
Dec. 18
Jackson Square will catch the holiday spirit with its Caroling in Jackson Square event illuminating the French Quarter with candles and carols. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., caroling begins at 7 p.m. holiday.neworleansonline.com
Dec. 31
Spend New Year’s Eve with comedian Amy Schumer in the Smoothie King Center. 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary. ticketmaster.com
LAFAYETTE
Dec. 1-23
Acadian Village becomes a holiday wonderland of carnival rides, festive displays and Santa for Noel Acadien au Village. 5:30-9 p.m. daily. Ticket prices vary. acadianvillage.org
Dec. 2-4, Dec. 9-30
Zoosiana, formerly the Zoo of Acadiana, will hold its Safari of Lights this month. Check out the animated light displays among other surprises around the zoo. 5-9 p.m. $6 for guests ages 3 and older. zoosiana.com
Dec. 10-11
The Lafayette Ballet Theatre will perform The Nutcracker at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. Showtimes TBA as of press time. Ticket prices vary. lafayetteballettheatre.org
