Jan. 1
First Baton Rouge Veterans Day Parade
Begin the new year at the Zachary Taylor VFW, 13214 S. Choctaw Drive, with its first-ever Veterans Day Parade. Bring new socks or underwear to donate to homeless veterans. The Zachary Post experienced damage during the August flooding, so the event will also act as a food and drink fundraiser and will offer a place to drop off damaged American flags to be properly disposed. 2 p.m. Free.
Jan. 4-26
Surreal Salon 9
The Baton Rouge Gallery will host its annual Surreal Salon juried exhibit with selected surreal pieces from across the country. This year’s guest juror is artist Greg “Craola” Simkins. Ticket prices to the Surreal Salon Soiree, the costumed event that helps close out the exhibit on Jan. 21, vary, but attending the exhibit during normal gallery hours is free. batonrougegallery.org
Jan. 10
St. James Episcopal Church will host researcher and storyteller Brené Brown. Brown will discuss her newest book, Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble. Tickets are $100 and benefit South Louisiana’s flood relief and recovery efforts. stjamesbr.org/benefit
Jan. 11-15
Held at the Manship Theatre, the Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival showcases the Jewish culture through independent films. The weekend event will show multiple films, including Fever at Dawn and Rock in the Red Zone. Ticket prices and showtimes vary. brjff.com
Jan. 12
Watch a fairytale unfold when Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella comes to the Raising Cane’s River Center. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.
Jan. 13-15
The Louisiana Marathon
Get your running shoes laced up for this event. With a full marathon, half, quarter and a 5K all starting and ending downtown, runners can choose which one is right for them. Run times and registration fees vary. thelouisianamarathon.com
Jan. 13-16
MLK Day Festival of Service
The Walls Project will partner with more than 70 local groups to clean up blighted properties in the Gus Young Avenue corridor. Volunteers at the four-day event will paint murals, plant gardens and fix up houses. thewallsproject.org
Jan. 14
Celebrate successful women at the annual Madam CEO Empowerment Luncheon at the Lyceum Ballroom downtown. The event brings women together to discuss work, life and family. The luncheon is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Ticket prices vary. eventbrite.com
Jan. 15, 21, 22, 28
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre is looking for local dancers to audition for summer programs around the United States. These programs are with professional companies like the Nashville Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Auditions will be held at the Dancers’ Workshop. Times vary. batonrougeballet.org
Jan. 16
Join a variety of community, civic and government groups for Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and March commemorating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be themed on a “march for peace” starting at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church and ending at the Raising Cane’s River Center. 8-10 a.m.
Jan. 21
Head over to the Life Development Center for a book signing with Carl Weber. His newest book, Man on the Run, must be purchased at Between the Lines bookstore prior to the event. The signing will be 3-6 p.m. carlweber.net
Jan. 2
Celebrate the end of the regular season of college football with the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Auburn Tigers will play the Oklahoma Sooners in the bowl game. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. allstatesugarbowl.org
Jan. 6
Head to the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc parade this month to celebrate Joan of Arc’s birthday and legacy. The parade begins at 7 p.m. near the Shops at Jax Brewery. joanofarcparade.org
Jan. 29
Prepare for Mardi Gras with New Orleans’ King Cake Festival. The event, held in Champions Square at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, supports the Ochsner Hospital for Children. The festival is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ticket prices vary. kingcakefestival.org
LAFAYETTE
Jan. 12-15
Head to the Blackham Coliseum for the 65th Annual Mid Winter Fair Rodeo. The event includes livestock, rodeo clowns and entertainment. 7:30 p.m. daily, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices vary. frontierrodeocompany.com
Jan. 15
The Cajundome will come alive when The Harlem Globetrotters take center stage. The show begins at 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary. harlemglobetrotters.com
Beginning Jan. 25
Head to the Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival at multiple venues in Lafayette for independent films from the U.S. and Canada. Filmmakers will be in attendance. Ticket prices vary. cinemaonthebayou.com
