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A guide to holiday fun and festivity


The holiday season is a time for family, friends and tons of fun. There’s plenty to do in and around the Capital Region as we close out 2016 and ring in the new year, and 225 Magazine has compiled all the Holiday Happenings into one colossal calendar. Check it all out and have a happy holiday season from all of us at 225 Magazine!


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Ongoing throughout December

Letters to Santa
The Queen Bee Cards & Stationery in Towne Center offers a mailbox that leads straight to the North Pole. Children are invited to deliver their letters to Santa and anxiously await his reply. For more information, call (225) 924-3530.

19th Century Christmas Decoration at Rosedown
Rosedown’s Main House and Nina’s Wing will be dressed in historic, early-to-mid 19th century-style Christmas décor, consisting of natural greenery garlands, fruit and nut displays, cypress and cedar wreaths, and potted poinsettia blooms. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; the site is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Get the details online or call (225) 635-3332 for more information.

Let it Snow!
The Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s Discovery Dome—an inflatable dome with a full-size HD theater—will visit East Baton Rouge Parish libraries for the holidays. The feature, Let It Snow, features a variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a stunning multimedia finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. This family-friendly soundtrack is visually enhanced with full-dome animation, laser imagery and special effects in the audiovisual setting of the dome. There will be four 30-minute shows. All children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 30 children per show. The event is free and open to all ages. Check library calendars for dates at various branches in the area.

Through Dec. 2

Holiday Candy Grams
Looking for a way to send a holiday greeting to a colleague on the LSU campus? The LSU Staff Senate is offering Candy Grams for $2.25. Candy and greeting are your choice. Candy Grams can be sent to faculty, students or staff, and delivery is available to any LSU office. Complete the order form and payment to the Staff Senate Office, 330 Thomas Boyd Hall. Get the details.

Through Dec. 3

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ZooLights
ZooLights is a mile-long trail through the Baton Rouge Zoo that features more than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for kids ages 2-12. Admission gates are open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.; zoo grounds close at 9 p.m. Get the details.

Through Dec. 12

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Pet Night with Santa
Bring your four-legged friend to see Santa and pose for a photo from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 at the Mall of Louisiana. Cats and dogs only, please. Photo sessions will take place on the lower level between Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma. Save more than 30% on your photos by pre-purchasing online. Get the details.

Through Dec. 24

Bass Pro Photos with Santa
Bass Pro Shop, 175 Bass Pro Blvd. in Denham Springs, is offering free photos with Santa, free crafts, and free games and activities. Get the schedule.


SPECIAL EVENTS

Nov. 29

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Christmas Tree Sale
The Society of American Foresters Student Chapter at LSU will sell Christmas trees beginning on the afternoon of Nov. 28 at the Renewable Natural Resources Building, located at the intersection of Highland Road and Nicholson Extension (there is a driveway off Nicholson Extension). The trees will be sold through Tuesday or until all 50 trees are gone. The trees are all Leyland cypress, freshly cut from the school’s renewable forest in Washington Parish. The trees are 5 to 6 ½ feet tall. Price is $7 per foot.

LSU’s Holiday Spectacular
Celebrate the spirit of the season with this seven-hour festival of activities. LSU Parking & Transportation Services will open the parking garage for free event parking beginning at 4 p.m. Get the schedule of events.

Season’s Readings
LSU Press and The Southern Review are hosting an annual book and journal sale from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Club at LSU Union Square. This year’s Season’s Readings boasts a wide array of great titles at 20% off, more than a dozen local authors, and free gift wrapping. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, coffee, and a cash bar while you shop. Free parking nearby in the Union Square parking garage.

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
The African American Cultural Center hosts its annual Pre-Kwanzaa ceremony to celebrate the traditional African values of family, community, responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Members of the LSU and greater Baton Rouge community are invited and encouraged to dress in traditional African garments and participate in the many aspects of Kwanzaa, including music, dance, food, and storytelling. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at 3 Union Square, Raphael Semmes Road.

Photo from LSU.
Photo courtesy LSU

Holiday on Campus
LSU Staff Senate’s 27th annual Holiday on Campus will feature arts & crafts, door prizes, entertainment, games & activities, photos with Santa, and refreshments. This event is open to the children of students, faculty, and staff. Donations for Toys for Tots and the LSU Food Pantry are encouraged. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

LSU Christmas Tree Lighting
Enjoy free CC’s Coffeehouse cocoa and coffee as you count down to the lighting of the LSU Christmas Tree with the LSU family. The event begins at 7 p.m. in LSU’s Free Speech Circle.

Dec. 1

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Cajun Christmas with Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
with Wayne Toups, Pelican 212 and special guests

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys put a twist on Cajun Christmas in a 7:30 p.m. concert at the Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Get the details.

Dec. 2

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Downtown Festival of Lights
There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season in Baton Rouge than with the Festival of Lights. Join in the holiday celebration featuring Christmas décor, a snow village, a magical train ride at the Old Governor’s Mansion, a visit from Santa at the Old State Capitol, the Reindeer Run and more. Watch as the magic lights up before your eyes with a fireworks show and the annual tree lighting ceremony in North Boulevard Town Square. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call (225) 389-5520 or get the details online.

Broadmoor Christmas Parade
The third annual Broadmoor Christmas Parade sponsored by the Broadmoor Residents Association will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. at 2 p.m. The route begins at Broadmoor High School, going east to Woodhaven, turning north on Woodhaven to reach South River Oaks Drive, then turning west to Cora Drive, going south to Goodwood Boulevard, then returning to the high school. Spectators are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to a food pantry. For more information, email [email protected] or call (225) 926-9829.

Holiday Jazz in St. Francisville
Jumpstart your festive season with a hip holiday celebration you won’t want to miss. Willis Delony and friends perform favorite seasonal arrangements in the Key of J–“J” for Jaz, that is from 7 to 10 p.m. at Hemingbough, 10101 La. 965 in St Francisville. Tickets are available through the Bank of St. Francisville at (225) 635-6397.

Christmas in the Village in Zachary
The Zachary Historical District in Downtown Zachary will celebrate A Christmas Celebration Down on the Farm from 6 to 9 p.m. The City of Zachary has partnered with Louisiana Public Broadcasting to bring Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Super Why! and Elmo for children to meet. The event also features photos with Santa, Christmas music from local choirs and entertainment at the gazebo on Virginia Street, and the official lighting of the Christmas tree. Get all the details.

Dec. 2-4

Christmas in the Country in St. Francisville
Ring in Christmas this weekend with a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with St. Nick, a glimpse of holiday homes, a Christmas parade, an art walk, a tour of homes, a live nativity, as well as music and vendors in Parker Park. There’s also a 1-mile fun run and 5k for Relay for Life. Get the details online or call St. Francisville Main Street at (225) 635-3873 for more information.

Dec. 3

Christmas tour of homes
Tour homes decked out for the holidays in West Feliciana Parish. Get the details online, or call (225) 635-3364 for more information.

A Civil War Christmas at Oakley
Travel back to a time when war was right in our own backyard with a recreation of the sights and sounds of St. Francisville during the Civil War. Walk through the soldiers camps and see Living History demonstrations of soldier life. See the plantation come to life during the holidays as it shows off its seasonal decorations. Costumed guides accompany visitors on a trip into the past through the candlelit Oakley House. See what’s cooking in the kitchen or just enjoy the live period music. Included is the yearly Christmas dance and hot Christmas Punch. For more information, call (225) 635-3739.

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Music in the Village
Stroll through the Antique Village in Denham Springs and enjoy old-fashioned Christmas music while shopping. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Village features will 10 “music stops,” where carolers will sing or play Christmas carols for the enjoyment of shoppers.

30th Annual Central Christmas Parade
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and runs from Joor and Hooper roads to Joor and Lovett roads. In honor of the 30th year of the parade and to offset the struggles many are having with flood issues, the entry fee to take part in the parade is $30. Get the parade form online, or register for the parade online.

Christmas in Central Square
Christmas in Central Square is the City of Central’s first-ever community Christmas event, kicking off a season-long display. BREC and Blackwater Methodist Church are teaming up with the city to host the event, featuring snow, horse and carriage rides, a carousel, Polar Express train rides, games and inflatables provided by BREC, performances, S’mores, Blackwater Methodist’s Live Nativity, Coca-Cola lighted trucks and refreshments. Santa will arrive on a fire truck to pose for pictures with the children; a fireworks performance will end the show. Get the details online, or call (225) 261-5988 for more information.

Candlelight Concert
For this LSU holiday tradition, the A Cappella Choir, Tiger Glee Club, Women’s Chorale and the LSU Symphony Orchestra will perform holiday pieces to brighten your holiday season at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Union Theater. Public and LSU faculty and staff tickets are $17; student tickets are $10.

Dec. 4

Baton Rouge Symphony League’s 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Tea
& Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Home for the Holidays concert
Join the Baton Rouge Symphony League at Ruffino’s Catering & De La Ronde Hall for a festive afternoon event of tea service, with sandwiches, scones, sweets, a hot chocolate station, a craft station, Ruffino’s famous cotton candy and a visit from Santa before heading over to the Raising Cane’s River Center for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays concert conducted by Timothy Muffitt. Tickets for the Tea can be purchased through the Symphony League Office. For more information, call Peggy at (225) 400-0335 or send an email to [email protected]. Get tickets to the Home for the Holidays Concert online, call the Baton Rouge Symphony office at 225-383-0500 or email [email protected].

Baton Rouge Concert Band Annual Christmas Concert
The Baton Rouge Concert Band will perform Christmas carols and popular holiday tunes in this concert at St. Joseph Cathedral, 412 North Street. The performance, which begins at 3 p.m., will feature familiar Christmas favorites as well as a sprinkling of newer holiday pop tunes by composers James Ployhar, H. Robert Reynolds, Richard Saucedo and Tom Wallace.

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A Rural Life Christmas
Ring in the Christmas season with a 19th century Louisiana celebration. Musical groups, demonstrating artisans, storytellers, magic and puppet shows, and costumed re-enactors will help set the holiday mood.  The event will conclude with a bonfire and a visit from Papa Noel. Regular admission prices will be charged, but children ages 10 and younger will be admitted for free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Get the details.

A Very Electric Christmas Kids
Enjoy a holiday party in The Gallery at Manship Theatre before the Lightwire Theatre’s A Very Electric Christmas performance. A healthy snack will be provided, as well as a fun art activity with the LSU Museum of Art. The event begins at 2:15 p.m.; admission is $10. Get tickets online.

Dec. 6-7

Cool Winter Nights and Hot Jazz
This holiday-themed concert at the Manship Theatre features the Hot Summer Nights LSU Jazz Trio of Brian Shaw, Willis Delony, and Bill Grimes in a program of new arrangements and holiday favorites, including the classic Duke Ellington arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite. Enjoy a spotlight on guest vocalists Fr. Greg Daigle and Sasha Masakowski. Tickets are $15 to $35; get them online.

Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 15-23

Reflections of the Season (Port Allen)
Walk or drive through the grounds of the West Baton Rouge Conference Center and view the spectacular holiday lights. Take advantage of the free shuttle service from parking at Louis Mouch Multipurpose Arena, 152 Turner Road. Come inside the conference center to visit Trevor, the talking reindeer. Walk through the holiday decorated rooms. Enjoy carnival rides for the children or buy those last minute gifts from crafters. Take holiday pictures with Santa and his elves. Ice fishing will be featured Dec. 10th and 17th; snow night and Kids Craft Night arrives on Dec. 17. Get the details.

Dec. 8

Second Annual Holiday Shop Hop
The Second Annual Holiday Shop Hop will feature than 30 vendors with mobile pop-up booths at over 15 locations around Downtown Baton Rouge for an entire day of shopping opportunities. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (225) 383-1825 for more information.

Kiwanis Christmas Tree Lighting in the Antique Village
Join in the lighting of the Christmas tree with Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry. This celebration begins with Landry reading a Christmas story to the children. The Young Artist Academy Gospel Choir as well as the Livingston Parish Children’s Choir will perform, and the Coca-Cola truck will make an appearance with Santa. Christ Community Church will be providing hot chocolate or lemonade, Chick-Fil-A will provide cookies, and North Oaks Hospital will host a cookie-decorating booth. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped, new toy and place it under the tree in advance of the tree lighting for the Christmas Crusade.

Dec. 9

Caroling in the Park
BREC’s annual Caroling in City Park features a park-lighting ceremony, candlelight caroling and a host of other family activities for all ages to enjoy. The event is held5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City-Brooks Community Park. Call (225) 272-9200 ext. 362, for details.

Iberville Bonfire Christmas Festival
For $5 per car, the annual Iberville Parish Bonfire Christmas Festival at Nottoway Plantation offers an evening of music, food, vendors, bonfires, fireworks, Santa and more. Get the details.

Dec. 9-18

Photo from Playmakers of Baton Rouge's "The Snow Queen, or When Christmas Freezes Over."
Photo courtesy Playmakers of Baton Rouge’s The Snow Queen, or When Christmas Freezes Over.

Playmakers of Baton Rouge presents ‘The Happy Elf’
This new musical comedy by Grammy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist Harry Connick Jr. tells the tale of Eubie the Elf, a lovable fellow who wants to spread Christmas joy throughout the town of Bluesville. Hoping to introduce a new generation of children to the joys of jazz, Connick has crafted a musical landscape against which Eubie’s story unfolds. Get details. Tickets are $21 for adults and $15.75 for children.

Dec. 10

DIVAS Holiday Celebration
PREACH invites women in the community to a free afternoon of pampering and empowerment before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Enjoy a delicious buffet, door prizes, surprises and speakers. The event takes place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carver Branch Library, 720 Terrace Ave. Get the details online, or call (225) 244-9828.

Photo from Kiwanis.
Photo courtesy Cortana Kiwanis

Kiwanis’ 5th Annual Santa Fun Run
The Santa Fun Run through downtown Baton Rouge is a community event with wanna-be Santa’s running a 1.25 fun run in advance of the Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade. Price is $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Get the details online or call (225) 806-3900 for more information.

Downtown Christmas Parade
The 66th Annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade will roll through downtown Baton Rouge beginning at 5:30 p.m. Typically the parade features about 80 entries, including a mix of marching bands, celebrities, dance troups, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses in seasonal themes. Get the details online or contact a parade committee member at (225) 341-3412.

Denham Springs Christmas Parade
Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Denham Springs, this 2 p.m. parade begins at Denham Springs High School and travels down Range Avenue through the Antique District, turning right onto Florida Boulevard and ending at Veterans Boulevard. Get the details.

Dec. 11

BREC’s Creole Christmas & Holiday Fair
Experience a Creole Christmas at Magnolia Mound Plantation from 1 to 6 p.m. Enjoy seasonal decorations in the historic house, traditional songs in French and Spanish sung by local schoolchildren, period demonstrations, folk crafts and the annual bonfire to welcome Papa Noel. Call (225) 343-4955 for more information.

Jambalaya Festival Association’s Christmas Parade
The parade will roll at 1 p.m. down Burnside Avenue in Gonzales, featuring a variety of floats, bands and Santa Claus. Get details here.

Dec. 13

Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas (school programming)
Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas is based on the New York Times bestselling picture book by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, with book by Cara Lustik, lyrics by Matthew Hardy, music by Randy Klein, and directed and choreographed by Sam Viverito. The production was commissioned and originally produced by Vital Theatre Company. Get more information on Manship Theatre’s educational programming. For reservations and group rates, contact our education coordinator Leah Hamel at (225) 389-7266. Purchase tickets online.

Dec. 16-17

Cangelosi Dance Project Gala Holiday Mix
Several new works are planned for this season’s show, including “Woman’s Work,” “Nutcracker Swagger,” “I Love the Lord” and “Drummer.” See the performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Manship Theatre. A second Holiday Mix will be present at 2 p.m. Dec. 17, featuring children performers such as Big Buddy Dancers, Jeffie Jean Dancers and CDP performing arts companies. Get details and purchase tickets from the Manship Theatre.

Dec. 17

BREC Santa Road Show
Experience the holidays as Santa makes his annual stop at the North Street Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your cameras to take memorable family photos as children tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Enjoy holiday games, crafts, marshmallow roasting and other fun activities for all ages. Concessions will be available for purchase. Call (225) 272-9200 ext. 362 for more information.

Dec. 17-18

Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Presents
The Nutcracker—A Tale from the Bayou
The performance will take place at the Baton Rouge River Center Theatre on Dec. 17 and 18 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Directed by Molly Buchmann and Sharon Matthews, this production continues to thrill children and adults alike with stunning performances by professional guest artists and local dancers and live accompaniment by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Tickets range from $22 to $58. Get more information online or call (225) 766-8379.

Music in the Village
Stroll through the Antique Village in Denham Springs and enjoy old-fashioned Christmas music while shopping. This weekend between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Village features will 10 “music stops,” where carolers will sing or play Christmas carols for the enjoyment of shoppers.

Journey to Bethlehem
Blackwater United Methodist Church’s Journey to Bethlehem tells the Christmas story through a series of scenes featuring live actors and animals. The free driving tour allows visitors to experience the Christmas story in the comfort of their cars. Blackwater United Methodist is located at 10000 Blackwater Road in Central, not far from Hooper Road. Call (225) 261-4646 for more information.

Santa Rocks the Rowe
Perkins Rowe’s annual Christmas event includes a performance from the Baton Rouge Concert Band, free children’s entertainment, strolling costumed Christmas Carolers, a free photo booth, appearances from Santa and Mrs. Clause, and free carriage rides. The fun takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Get the details online.

Dec. 19-22

Faculty Club Christmas Buffet
The Club at Union Square hosts a Christmas buffet for the LSU community. View the menu. Cost is $19.95 per person. For reservations, call (225) 578-2356 or email [email protected].

Dec. 21 through Jan. 2

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Ice Skating on the River
No matter what the temperature outside, the ice awaits skaters of all skills at Skating on the River from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2 at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Don your warmest coat and visit the arena during scheduled times. Tickets are now on sale for $12 per person, with specials available for larger groups.

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve Buffet at Nottoway Plantation
Bring your family to Nottoway Plantation on Christmas Eve, and celebrate the peak of the season with a buffet dinner between 4 and 8 p.m. in Randolph’s Ballroom, featuring traditional favorites as well as a variety of south Louisiana’s best cuisine. Get the details.

Dec. 31

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Red Stick Revelry
Bring the kids to Town Square from 11 a.m. to noon to enjoy hands-on activities with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and sing Auld Lang Syne with Mayor Kip Holden as the Red Stick rises to 60 feet above Town Square, where it will sit until the countdown begins to ring in the new year. Later that evening, Sheriff Bud Torres and the Posse will perform at the Crest Stage in Galvez Plaza from 7 to 8:45 p.m., followed by Phat Hat from 9 p.m. to midnight. Then watch the Red Stick drop, celebrating the arrival of 2017 with a fireworks show over the Mississippi River. Get all the details at redstickrevelry.com.


Did we miss an event? Let us know! Fill out our Holiday Happenings Submission form with the who, what, when and where on your event, and we’ll add it to the calendar.