Holiday Hop: The best gift shopping events this month

This month ushers in the holiday season, and with it, the increasingly pressing need to find the perfect gift. Fortunately, for those of us just beginning to think about those gifts (probably most of us, right?), there are several opportunities this month and early next to get ahead while also supporting local artists and craftsmen.

Baton Rouge Arts Market
Held the first Saturday of every month next to the Red Stick Farmers Market on 5th and Main streets downtown. The next arts market happens Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-noon, but if you are too late, don’t worry—the event expands to every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas. That gives you plenty of opportunities to check out the pottery, woodwork, jewelry, artwork and more at the outdoor market. You can also pick up local, fresh fall produce while you’re there. artsbr.org

ART WINE DESIGN
Southdowns Village Shopping Center celebrates the seventh year of its annual after-hours event, with merchants, restaurants and Ann Connelly Fine Art offering music, food, drinks and more to patrons. Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Find out more here.

Kinetics
Patrons can take home a piece of art from Baton Rouge Gallery members at the annual live art auction Kinetics. Started around 2008, the event pays homage to the idea that contemporary art moves the local culture forward, gallery Executive Director Jason Andreasen says. Roughly 30-35 pieces from talents such as Van Wade Day, James Burke and more will be up for grabs, and the event will feature a raffle with vacation packages, music from Café Au Lait and food from Stroubes. Kinetics is Baton Rouge Gallery’s chief fundraiser for the year. “This is a monstrous part of our year,” Andreasen says. “These funds will go toward everything from postage to new programming and improvements to the gallery.” The event returns Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets are $40, $30 for members. batonrougegallery.org/KINETICS

Highland Nights
This annual event continues to grow in popularity, bringing shoppers and revelers to about 20 galleries and businesses along Highland Road from Kenilworth Parkway to Staring Lane this month. They also provide a shuttle! The fourth annual Highland Nights art hop is Friday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and features local artists, food, music, shopping and prizes. facebook.com/highlandnights

White Light Night
Every year in November, the lights come on around Mid City, ushering in the holiday season and signaling the return of one of the biggest neighborhood events in Baton Rouge. The annual fall art hop White Light Night features art showcases, food, music and open houses at businesses all along Government Street and nearby for one night, providing the perfect opportunity for residents to celebrate and get a start on Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving.

While the array of participating venues scattered along three miles of Government Street can seem daunting at first, it’s doable if you plan ahead—and use the free shuttles. As Elizabethan Gallery owner Liz Walker told 225 last year, “The No. 1 thing I always tell people about White Light Night is to get yourself a copy of the invitation booklet and plan ahead.”

Those booklets can be found at participating venues and include a full list of vendors and a neighborhood map. Or, just follow the activity—look for the “nodes,” or clusters of shops and businesses that join forces to host outdoor setups, food and drink tables and plenty of live music. Then, branch out from there, letting the twinkling lights of Mid City guide your way.

The 17th annual White Light Night takes place Friday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. For more information and a list of participating venues, go to midcitymerchants.org.