Merry Christmas! All is calm, all is bright—right? For many people, one of the best parts of Christmas are the shining and sparkling lights that get put on display to celebrate the advent season. Christmas lights evoke a sense of nostalgia and also an opportunity to have some family fun that every member of the family can enjoy. Where in Baton Rouge can Christmas lights be seen? We’ve got 5 twinkling places to enjoy Christmas light displays in Baton Rouge—some free, some ticketed; some walk around, some drive around. So, fill the travel mugs with cocoa, get the family together and peruse our list of the best spots to see Christmas lights in Baton Rouge.
1. Baton Rouge General’s Christmas Lights
An annual event that families and Christmas light fans of all ages look forward to experiencing, the holiday light display in front of Baton Rouge General Hospital is a fun and treasured community event. Located on Bluebonnet Blvd at Picardy Ave, visitors can stroll along the Christmas light tunnels, see “singing” trees, and gorgeous lit-up candy canes.
Runs yearly approximately Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Free. Walking event. More info: https://www.brgeneral.org/holiday-lights/
2. Louisiana Lights at Burden Museum & Gardens
Premiering in 2024, LSU’s Ag Center Burden Museum & Gardens hosts an immersive light experience called Louisiana Lights. Presented in connection with the Baton Rouge Visitors Bureau, “LaLights” boasts illuminated Christmas trees, fields of lights, and the stately oaks that the Burden Gardens are known for wrapped branch to trunk in festive lights.
Louisiana Lights is a ticketed event (!) and requires (!) a paid parking pass (!!). While the tickets might price-out some families, the event scope and detail clearly show the aim for LaLights to become an annual event of note for the capital region. More info: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/burden/events/louisiana-lights
3. Festival of Lights (Downtown Baton Rouge)
The oldest Christmas light tradition in Baton Rouge, December each year sees the lighting of a giant Christmas tree in North Boulevard Town Square, plus “a million lights” (according to the BR Arts Council.) Even if you miss the tree lighting, you can walk along North Blvd and see all the lights along the Downtown Greenway. Downtown Baton Rouge has been working hard for years to revitalize, and if you continue beyond the town square, nearby businesses and historical buildings have Christmas decorations that are worth a look (including the Old State Capitol Building and the lobby of the Manship Theater.)
Free. Combo of walking and driving (depending how far you go around downtown.) More info: https://www.artsbr.org/events/festival-of-lights-2
4. Highland Road & Kenilworth
The stately homes along Highland Road (between Lee Drive and Staring Lane) spare no branch and are not shy about putting on pretty lights for all to enjoy. And we’re glad for it! Christmas lights typically can start to be seen in November, and through the New Year. Oh what fun it is to ride in Mom’s SUV, sipping cocoa, and oohing and ahhing over the lights on Highland.
Off of Highland Road, turn left onto Kenilworth and explore the lights of this neighborly subdivision. Some years, Kenilworth will host a luminaria walk—a unique way to enjoy the Christmas lights of Kenilworth (but this is not a sure thing every year. Check the bulletin board on the median of Kenilworth Parkway for more info.
Free. Driving only. Map point to get you started here.
5. BREC’s Zoo Lights
Calling kids of all ages! The animals of BREC’s Zoo are all aglow in the spirit of Christmas with BREC’s Zoo Lights. If your family members are fans of our zoo, this Christmas light display is not to be missed. While there is a nominal fee to attend BREC’s Zoo Lights, you can bring a canned good to donate to receive a reduced ticket price. Zoo members also can enjoy a discount.
For current ticket prices and for complete info, visit BREC’s website: https://brzoo.org/events-rentals/calendar/zoolights-2024
Conclusion
Where do you like to enjoy Christmas lights in Baton Rouge? Next we’d like to have a more complete list of neighborhood Christmas displays. Don’t miss our list of Christmas events. Merry Christmas—unto us a child is born!
