Friday, December 2nd
4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Shaw Center for the Arts / Lafayette Park
Join us under downtown’s historic oaks to commemorate Baton Rouge’s oldest holiday tradition. Transforming the winter sky into a wonderland, the Mayor will light North Boulevard with half a million sparkling lights. Experience the magic beneath the 25-foot Christmas tree in Lafayette Park. Enjoy free ice skating and play in six tons of real snow at the Snow Village. Roaming performers will be on hand including a magician, a balloon artist, stilt walkers, and more. Visit Santa’s Gift Shoppe and listen to holiday music during an evening of visual, culinary, and performing arts. Don’t miss an illuminated Miracle on Third Street and the many downtown holiday open houses and art showings. Below is a list of events for you to celebrate the season with us!
2011 Downtown Festival of Lights Events map
Please view the attached flyer to check out what Downtown Baton Rouge has to offer throughout the month of December!
2011 Holiday Season Schedule of Events and Festival of Lights Flyer
Christmas Music Playlist
Enjoy a compilation of Christmas music while browsing the site!
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Skating on the River |
Community Stage House Chamber of the Old State Capitol, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Performances by: Baton Rouge Music Studios, The Dunham Big Band, The LSU Opera, EBRP Children’s Choir and more. |
Mayor’s Stage |
Lighting of the Tree Lafayette Park, 6:15 p.m. Fireworks immediately following! |
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Swing Into Christmas Street Dance Lafayette Park, 6:15 p.m. – 9 p.m. Featuring Ned Fasullo and his Fabulous Big Band Orchestra playing holiday and big band favorites. For more info visit www.nedfasullo.com  Ned Fasullo-------Santa Clause is Coming to Town |
Santa’s Gift Shoppe Shaw Center Plaza, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Shop early for the holidays at Santa’s specialty shops. Find innovative, handcrafted gifts from talented local artisans at Baton Rouge’s most unique shopping experience! Coordinated by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. |
Free Snow Village Lafayette Park, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Experience six (6) tons of real snow and enjoy ‘snow ice cream cones’ after fun in the snow. | Classic Christmas Movies Showing inside Manship's Hartley / Vey Workshop at the Shaw Center, 6:30 pm – 9 p.m. |
Holiday Express
Kansas City Southern Railroad hosts the 11th Annual Holiday Express which is a festive, six-car train with Santa Claus and his elves.
December 2 from 4:00 p.m. till roughly 9:00 p.m. (until the last person in line boards the train) This event, co-hosted by Visit Baton Rouge is being held in conjunction with the Downtown Festival of Lights. CATS is offering free trolley service between the Downtown Festival of Lights and the KCS Station. The public is welcome to park at Memorial Stadium and shuttle over to the Festival of Lights or vice versa. Look for the Coca-Cola Santa Truck at the Festival of Lights which will mark the Trolley Shuttle. The Trolleys will run beginning at 4:00 p.m. from Downtown. The last shuttle from Downtown to Memorial Stadium will be at 10:00 p.m.
Coca-Cola is providing complimentary refreshments at the Holiday Express Train. (Cookies will also be provided) KCS is providing each child with a complimentary “treat bag” upon exit. The ARC – a service designed to improve the quality of life for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will provide volunteer “elves” and “trolley bell ringers”.
BREC is providing a trail of holiday lights and displays along Foss Street for guests to enjoy as the enter and exit Kansas City Station.
Mayor Holden will assist KCS as they present Gift Cards to the BR area Salvation Army to provide necessity items to those in need. Time, 6:30 p.m.
Special Holiday Gift Shops
Don't miss the many Special Holiday Gift Shops downtown! For all of your Holiday Shopping needs please visit one of the many shops in the downtown area! Specialty items and gift certificates available at local coffee shops, spas, and other area merchants. For contact information please check out the link: Downtown Merchant Listing
Lokka Med Spa – 334 Third Street, 381-7944, www.lokkamedspa.com
Louisiana Arts and Science Museum – 100 River Rd., 344-5272, www.lasm.org
LSU Museum of Art – 100 Lafayette St., 225-389-7200, www.lsumoa.com/
Old State Capitol – 100 North Blvd., 342-0500, www.sos.louisiana.gov
Old Governor's Mansion – 502 North Blvd., 387-2464, www.oldgovernorsmansion.org
USS Kidd – 305 S River Rd., 342-1942, www.usskidd.com
Louisiana State Capitol – State Capitol Dr., 342-7317, http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/Capitol/Capitol.htm
Bates & Thigpin – 335 Third St., 387-0929
Beauregard Gallery – 715 Europe St., 383-1932
Hilton Capitol Center Gift Shop – 201 Lafayette St., 344-5866, www.hilton.com
Capitol Grocery – 701 Spanish Town Rd., 387-2691, www.capitolgrocery.com
