Text reading 'Festival of Lights' in white cursive font on a black background.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Festival of Lights, Baton Rouge’s cherished downtown tradition, reimagined as a full-day experience from noon to 7 PM on the first Saturday in December. The event features the Reindeer Run, the Holiday Shop Hop, the Operation Save Santa Parade, live entertainment, and festive activities throughout downtown. The day culminates with the Lighting of the Tree and a dazzling fireworks display as thousands of families gather in the heart of Baton Rouge to kick off the holiday season.

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Join the Festival of Lights volunteer team and help make the season shine by assisting artists, supporting vendors, and helping event staff throughout the day.

Sign Up
A woman smiling at a Christmas party, wearing a candy cane themed reindeer antlers headband and a red and green festive outfit, holding a red cup, with a background of Christmas lights and decorations.
Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments, with fireworks in the night sky and a crowd of people gathered around.
Children ice skating outdoors at night, with string lights overhead and a busy urban background.
Children and adults playing on a snow-covered area in an urban park during a festival of lights event, with city buildings, trees, and street signs in the background.
Night view of a white castle-like building with arched windows, fireworks lighting up the sky behind it, and red and yellow leaves on a tree on the right side of the image. There are streetlights and a person walking near a fence in the foreground.
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Fireworks light up the night sky above a castle-like building at an outdoor event with a stage and many spectators.
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Text on an image that says 'Sponsored by' in a decorative font.
Louisiana First News logo featuring a blue fleur-de-lis and the text "Louisiana First News" and "louisianafirstnews.com".
Logo of Downtown Development District featuring a stylized black wave on a blue circle with the district's name in blue text.
Logo of the City of Baton Rouge Parish of East Baton Rouge with a red vertical line, the letters 'BR' in gray, and black text below.