September
Sept. 5, 12, 19 + 26
Rock N Rowe
Perkins Rowe Town Square
The Coverly Brothers, JC Melancon Band, Peyton Falgoust Band and The V-Tones comprise this month’s lineup for the free Thursday evening concerts. The outdoor shows are staged in the heart of the popular retail and entertainment development, but in the event of rain they’re held in the adjacent Great Hall.
Sept. 13, 20 + 27
Live After Five
Rhorer Plaza
The Friday night free live outdoor music series brings local and national artists like Peyton Falgoust Band, Dominick Michael and George Porter Jr. & The Runnin’ Pardners. Food, beverage and art vendors add to the fun.
Sept. 14
Louisiana Bourbon Festival
L’Auberge Hotel & Casino
A day of seminars is followed by the evening Grand Tasting, with food and more than 50 bourbons and whiskeys. The 21-and-older gathering benefits Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area.
Sept. 25 + 29
Manhattan Short Film Festival
Manship Theatre
Join theater buffs across 500 nationwide venues to view the finalists of the Manhattan Short Film Festival, then cast a vote for your fave film and actors.
Sept. 26
Farm Fête
Main Street Market
Experience the long-awaited unveiling of the Main Street Market at this BREADA fundraiser showcasing food by local restaurants, craft cocktails, live music and a silent auction. Read more about Farm Fête and other food-centric fall gatherings here.
Sept. 27
Brew at the Zoo
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Dress in your best safari chic and head for the 10th annual gathering at the zoo, with craft beer, food from local restaurants and live music. Grab a VIP option for extra perks.
Sept. 29
Baton Rouge Oktoberfest
Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge
Spend a Sunday meandering through a tasting area replete with sausage, sauerkraut and other nibbles, and swig international beers provided by Mockler Beverage Read more about Baton Rouge Oktoberfest
October
Oct. 3, 10, 17 + 24
Rock N Rowe
Perkins Rowe Town Square
The music series continues with The Remnants, Leif Meche Band, Chubby Carrier and Phat Hat. Bring the kiddos Oct. 3 for Family Night.
Oct. 5
Federales Fest
Live Oak @ Cedar Lodge
Giddy up! A little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, the second annual music fest returns under a canopy of oak trees with headliner Whitey Morgan and the 78’s. Read all about Federales Fest here.
Oct. 5
Lebanese Festival
Main Library at Goodwood
The scent of shawarma fills the air at this annual celebration of Lebanese culture. Sample homemade desserts and meat pies, or try a salad at the Tabbouleh Showdown.
Oct. 5
Perkins Rowe Arts Fest
Perkins Rowe
Artists show off their pottery, permanent jewelry, paintings and more over a day of live music and entertainment.
Oct. 5, 12, 19 + 26
Corn Maze
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
Wander through corn fields and climb hay mountains. And if you dare, bring a flashlight for the Night Maze on Oct. 26.
Oct. 5-6
Plantfest!
The LSU Hilltop Arboretum
Scoop up a new plant baby from a selection of thousands of native and traditional trees, flowers and ornamental grasses.
Oct. 6
SugarFest
West Baton Rouge Museum
The free, nearly 30-year-old celebration of the sugarcane harvest, live music and folk art. Indulge at the Sweets Contest, brush up on your French at Café Français—where it will be the only language spoken—and venture inside the museum for a glimpse of its latest exhibits, including Backstage Hollywood, a showcase of Bob Willoughby’s photography from the set of 17 films.
Oct. 6, 13, 20 + 27
Sunday in the Park
Shaw Center for the Arts Plaza
After brunch, beeline for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s afternoon concert series showcasing Louisiana musicians.
Oct. 11
Bachtoberfest
Main Library at Goodwood
Brats. Beers. Bach. Pack a picnic spread and some craft brews, and prepare to be serenaded by Baton Rouge Symphony’s rendition of Bach’s baroque beats.
Oct. 11, 18 + 25
Live After Five
Rhorer Plaza
Downtown’s fall music series concludes with Southern Avenue, Lil’ Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers and the Southdown Souls featuring Chris LeBlanc.
Oct. 17
Jambalaya Jam
Dozens of teams face off in a jambalaya competition—and a cornhole tournament, too.
Oct. 17-19
Hollydays
Raising Cane’s River Center
Junior League Baton Rouge’s annual ticketed market serves as a local kickoff to the season of giving. Snag goodies like clothing, decor and culinary goods.
Oct. 19 + 20
A Taste of the Deep South Festival
Henry Turner Jr. and his friends are back for a weekend of art and music with genres ranging from blues and reggae to contemporary and Christian.
Oct. 19
Baton Rouge Maker Faire
Main Library at Goodwood
Scientists and artists of all ages gather to “show and tell” their experiments, inventions and crafts.
Oct. 19-20 + 26-27
Boo at the Zoo
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo
Get camera-ready for a series of Halloween photo ops, plus a pint-sized pumpkin patch, children’s activities and more.
Oct. 24-Nov. 3
Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Airline Highway Park
Ride the Ferris wheel, marvel at a magician or gawk at the racing pigs and animatronic dinos.
Oct. 24-27
Fifolet Halloween Festival
Multiple locations
The four-day affair is organized by local nonprofit 10/31 Consortium. This year, costumers are invited to interpret the theme “They Walk Among Us” across six events. Read more about the Fifolet Halloween Festival here.
November
Nov. 2
Louisiana Book Festival
Downtown Baton Rouge
Bookworms can get up close and personal with hundreds of authors and poets, listen in on literary panels or find new reads to stock up their shelves.
Nov. 3
Cap City Beer Fest
North Fourth Street, Downtown Baton Rouge
The event lures hundreds of pet owners and beer lovers. Local breweries, home brewers and big-name distributors haul kegs and cans, and pop-up their tents along downtown’s North Fourth Street. Read more about Cap City Beer Fest here.
Nov. 8-10
St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival
Multiple locations
A weekend-long fest chock-full of culinary-focused events like barbecues, dinner parties and grand tastings where attendees can enjoy libations while indulging in creations from Louisiana and Mississippi chefs.
Nov. 22
White Light Night
Mid City
Follow the twinkling lights down Government Street and neighboring roads to find local makers, creators, artisans and more popping up with handmade goods like art, home decor, sourdough, cookies and more.
On the road
Sept. 19-22
The Louisiana Food and Wine Festival
The second edition of this annual festival aims to prove there’s good cookin’ to be found not only in New Orleans but statewide—and particularly in Acadiana, where the event is staged. Read more about the event here.
Plus: 10+ more fall festivals within driving distance of Baton Rouge
This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of 225 Magazine.