Burden Museum & Gardens’ new seasonal light display, Louisiana Lights, will serve as the backdrop for several special events this month, including Poinsettias & Prosecco on December 4 and A Rural Life Christmas on December 8. Photo by Kim Meadowlark, courtesy Burden Museum & Gardens

What’s going on in Baton Rouge this December?

December 3 & 4

Cool Winter Nights and Hot Jazz | Manship Theatre

The Manship Theatre’s annual winter jazz show will take the stage for two nights to showcase the talents of Brian Shaw, Willis Delony and Fr. Greg Daigle with special guest Robin Barnes. manshiptheatre.org


December 4

Poinsettias & Prosecco | Windrush Gardens

Drink bubbly under the Burden Museum & Gardens’ Louisiana Lights during this special celebration hosted by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The adults-only event will feature live music, small bites, cocktails and a live auction. lsuagcenter.com/portals/burden


December 5-8

Holiday Brass Chamber Series | Various Locations

Enjoy three nights of brass music hosted by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Performances of holiday favorites will take place across the city and beyond, from St. Joseph Cathedral on December 5 to Hemingbough on December 6 and Houmas House on December 8. brso.org


December 6

Festival of Lights | North Boulevard Town Square

Light up the night—and a 35-foot tree—at the annual Festival of Lights. From 4 to 8 p.m., the whole family can enjoy the magic of Christmas with shopping, live music and performances, ice skating and fireworks to end the night. downtownbatonrouge.org


December 6-15

A Christmas Carol | Theatre Baton Rouge

Enjoy one of six performances of the Theatre Baton Rouge’s A Christmas Carol. This classic Christmas show is sure to warm the hearts of even the biggest Christmas Scrooges. theatrebr.org


December 8

A Rural Life Christmas | Burden Museum & Gardens

Spend the day learning about Louisiana Christmases past. This annual event will include live performances and demonstrations with a walk through of the new Louisiana Lights display. lsuagcenter.com/portals/burden


December 14-15

The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou | River Center Theatre

The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre is putting on its annual holiday performances of crowd favorite, The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou. This year marks the first since show creators Sharon Mathews and Molly Buchmann have passed the pointe shoes to new artistic directors Rebecca Mathews Acosta and Jonna Cox. batonrougeballet.org


December 20-21

Becoming Santa Claus | Manship Theatre

Hear the story of Santa Claus at Opéra Louisiane’s performances of composer Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus. Attendees are invited to purchase tickets to after-parties following both shows, where they can mingle with the cast while enjoying drinks and bites. operalouisiane.com


December 21

Home for the Holidays | River Center Theater

Take a trip home for the holidays with the Baton Rouge Symphony. Conducted by David Torns, the BRSO and the BRSO Chorus will feature music from holiday movie favorites like The Polar Express and Home Alone. brso.org