Christmas break 2026Baton Rouge · Red Stick

Christmas break with kids in Baton Rouge, 2026.

What to do with kids in Baton Rouge over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus six dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

The quick answersChecked
Open on Christmas Day?None of the 2 we checked. Plan a park or a lights drive.0 of 2 openAnything on Christmas Eve?2 dated outings.2 outingsDec 26–30?Louisiana Lights and 3 more.4 runningNew Year’s Day?Nothing posted for Jan 1 yet; 1 on New Year’s Eve.See below

Last checked · 2 places checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1

What’s open over Christmas in Baton Rouge

Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.

PlaceDec 24Dec 25Jan 1Source
BREC’s Baton Rouge ZooTheir page says: “'s Baton Rouge Zoo is open every day except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.”Christmas EveClosedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayClosedHours page ↗ · Oct 21
Louisiana State CapitolTheir page says: “Closed for New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day”Christmas EveClosedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayClosedHours page ↗ · Oct 21

“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.

Day by day

The break, one day at a time

Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.

Christmas Eve

Thursday, Dec 24. Many places close early, so check each card’s times.
Nov27to Dec 24

Pictures with Santa at Perkins Rowe

Perkins Rowe, in front of Cinemark · 10202 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

When
Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026
Time
Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun noon–6 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Price
Book a photo session online

Good to know: Professional photos in front of Cinemark; reservations strongly encouraged, walk-ups as space allows. Pets welcome; pet nights Nov 30 and Dec 7 (4–7 p.m.). PJ Night Dec 15 and Santa Rocks the Rowe Dec 12 (5–8 p.m.).

Official page ↗Source ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov21to Dec 24

Santa Photos at Mall of Louisiana

Mall of Louisiana · 6401 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70836

When
Nov 21–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving)
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page

Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 8 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8…).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

The days in between

Saturday, Dec 26 to Wednesday, Dec 30. Light displays and holiday rinks still running.
Nov27to Dec 30

Louisiana Lights

LSU Burden Museum & Gardens · LSU Burden Museum & Gardens, Baton Rouge, LA

When
Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026
Time
First entry 5:30pm; final entry 8:30pm
Price
Timed tickets online

Good to know: A holiday light walk through the gardens, with themed nights.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 30

Zoo Lights at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo · 3000 Zoo Circle, Baker, LA 70714

When
Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (closed Dec 24 and 25)
Time
Gates 5:30–8 p.m.; grounds close 9 p.m.
Price
Half off admission with a non-perishable food donation

Good to know: A trail of lights around the zoo. Santa on Fridays and Saturdays before Christmas; train rides Fri–Sun. Enter through Greenwood Community Park.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov20to Dec 31

Baton Rouge General Holiday Lights

Baton Rouge General – Bluebonnet · 8585 Picardy Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA

When
Nov 20 – Dec 31, 2026
Time
5:30 p.m. – midnight
Price
Not listed

Good to know: The hospital green space fills with synchronized lights, singing trees and light tunnels to stroll through.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec 31. Noon countdowns and early celebrations.

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan 1.

No New Year’s Day outings posted yet.

Rainy-day backup

Indoor places to try

These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.

Chee Chee’s Playroom

Central (Park Place Dr.) and South Baton Rouge (Airline Hwy.)

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Baton Rouge

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Good questions

Christmas break in Baton Rouge: the FAQ

Of the two places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo and Louisiana State Capitol are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.

On the calendar: Pictures with Santa at Perkins Rowe and Santa Photos at Mall of Louisiana.

None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

Louisiana Lights, Zoo Lights at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge General Holiday Lights and Merry Way at Plaquemine City Hall. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Baton Rouge, through the holidays.

Baton Rouge skyline