Festival of Lights
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.

Lafayette Park / Shaw Center for the Arts
Friday, December 2, 4PM - 9PM

Kansas City Southern Railroad Annual 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. 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 4:00PM from Downtown. The last shuttle from Downtown to Memorial Stadium will be at 10:00PM.

1401 Foss Street (Memorial Park)
Friday, December 2, 4PM - 10PM

Reindeer Run 5K
The 2011 Reindeer Run is a family friendly event that is held in conjunction with the Downtown Festival of Lights. The cost for the event is $20 for pre-registration, $25 for day of, $17 for family rate (minimum of 3). They will be offering chipped timing this year, and runners will only be eligible for the prizes if they are chipped. There is an extra $3 charge for the chipped timing. Free for children 5 and under.

Fourth & North Boulevard
Friday, December 2, 7PM

Get Motivated
The Get Motivated Seminar is an action-packed, fun-filled, explosive, exciting, inspiring, skill-building business event that is world famous for its mega-watt superstar speakers and spectacular stage production. This blockbuster one-day seminar will give you proven strategies to sharpen your business skills, ignite your motivation, accelerate your effectiveness and increase your income! Featuring leaders such as, General Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Forbes, Drew Brees, Les Miles, Terry Bradshaw and more!

Baton Rouge River Center
Monday, December 5, 8AM - 4:45PM

Arts Market for the Holidays
The Baton Rouge Arts Market normally takes place every first Saturday of the month from 8:00AM until 12:00 noon at 5th and Main Streets in Downtown Baton Rouge. The Arts Market will run throughout the month of December taking place on 3 separate Saturdays. Shop for Christmas with over 60 artists from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida who will present original works of art in a variety of mediums including, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, photographs, glass, paintings, sculpture, hand-made soaps and so much more. The Arts Market regularly features free children's art activities from 9:00AM until 12:00 noon at the Arts Market's Kids Booth. The Baton Rouge Arts Market is held in conjunction with the weekly Red Stick Farmers Market and the Main Street Market. The Arts Market will also be at the Festival of Lights in Lafayette Park on Friday night, Dec. 2.

Main Street Market
December 3, 10 & 17

Free First Sunday
First Sunday is a cooperative endeavor offered by downtown museums for free admission to events on the first Sunday of each month. Visit the LASM, LSU MOA, and USS KIDD and explore all the wonderful things they have to offer for FREE!

Sunday, December 4

www.lsumoa.com
http://www.lasm.org/programs/children.shtml
www.usskidd.com

St. Joseph's Academy Fall Concert 2011 at the Manship Theatre
St. Joseph's Academy Dance Department under the direction of Kris Cangelosi will present Classical Ballet, Contemporary & Modern Dance.

Manship Theatre
Wednesday, November 30, 6:30PM

BRSO Presents Home for the Holidays
Begin the festive season with a celebration of holiday music sure to please the entire family. The evening will include full orchestral renditions of classics and light-hearted favorites. Sing along and celebrate the holiday season in style! Featuring guest artist Mara Bonde, soprano.

Baton Rouge River Center
Thursday, December 2, 7:30PM

Fleur Du Jour Christmas Open House
Flour du Jour will be hosting a Christmas Open House. They have moved to a new location and would like to share it with you. They will have live demonstrations, shopping, door prizes, live music and refreshments.

Fleur Du Jour (447 Third St.)
Friday, December 2, 12PM - 8PM

Toward Bethlehem: Music & Reflection
Set aside a few moments for quiet reflection this Advent season. On Fridays, December 2, 9 and 16, the Center for Spiritual Formation sponsors "Toward Bethlehem: Music & Reflection" in the Parish Hall parlor. Soothing music by live performers along with a led meditation by Fr. John Miller will give you an opportunity to pause, breathe a little more deeply, and experience what Advent can offer you. Box lunches will be available for $10, or bring your own. Tea and lemonade provided. Drop by as you can, or need.

St. James Center For Spiritual Formation
Friday, December 2, 9 & 16, 11:30AM - 1PM

Christmas in the Atrium Santa's Wonderland Workshop Extravaganza
More than 100,000 Christmas lights decorate the Atrium while Santa's Elves help children create Christmas cards for our troops. Holiday videos and music play continuously on the dazzling Christmas stage. Visitors can join Mrs. Claus in her "Cookie Kitchen" for free cookies and lemonade and also take free photos with Santa on his throne as he hears Christmas wishes (bring your camera). There will be a breathtaking laser and light spectacular choreographed to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This is a festive holiday touring attraction you don't want your family to miss. Price of admission for the Santa's Workshop is; adult $10, children $5, (2 and under free), Santa's Workshop & Laser Show for adults $15, children $8 (2 and under free)

The Atrium at the Belle of Baton Rouge
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 3PM- 8PM

First Saturday at the Markets
Join Red Stick Farmers Market, Main Street Market and the Arts Market this Saturday for the first of three holiday markets this month. Louisiana citrus, strawberries, winter greens, root veggies, pecans and holiday greenery will be available for holiday party menus. Start your morning with a delicious hot breakfast inside Main Street Market while enjoying music by the Lagniappe Dulcimer Society. The Dunham High School Jazz Band will also perform outside at the Red Stick Farmers Market to entertain holiday shoppers throughout the morning. Don't miss the Fresh from the Market cooking demonstration beginning at 10AM inside the North Street seating area of Main Street Market. Host chef Celeste Gill will join Chef Ludovic Gerrets of Parrains Restaurant to demonstrate delicious holiday recipes using ingredients sourced from our local farmers and food artisans. The Red Stick Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 8AM-12PM at Fifth and Main Streets.

Main Street Market
Saturday, December 3

7th Annual Trees of Light Celebration
Enjoy the voices of Father Greg Daigle and the Greater Baton Rouge Children's Chorus in the House Chamber and the music of Eric Baskin in the Senate Chamber. All proceeds go to The Hospice of Baton Rouge Patient Care Fund. For more information call 767-4673 or email kgrigsby@hospicebr.org

Old State Capitol
Saturday, December 3, 5PM

Tigers and Tops and Toys, Oh My!
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up to the spectacular holiday exhibition Under the Big Top! Be amazed by historic posters and photographs! Enjoy exciting works of art, see ferocious stuffed animals and amazing antique toys! Under the Big Top is a fanciful exhibition, on display throughout the holiday season. This exhibition highlights the magic and timelessness of the circus through the Museum's spectacular collection of toys, fine art, turn-of-the-century photos and circus posters on loan from a private collector.

LSU Museum of Art
Through December 31