The Baton Rouge Zoo’s annual Brew at the Zoo will return this month for the seventh year running. Come celebrate the beginning of the fall season with a night of food and beer tastings, live music, and lots more—and be sure to show up in your finest “safari chic.” brzoobrew.org
OCT. 2-31
The LSU Rural Life Museum and the LSU AgCenter Burden Museum & Gardens have a calendar’s worth of fall fun, including Harvest Day (Oct. 2), Haints Haunts and Halloween (Oct. 31), Corn Maze Saturdays and more. lsu.edu/botanic-gardens
OCT. 8+9
The Boucherie and Balloon Festival merges the signature flavors of Louisiana staples like jambalaya and cracklin with the spectacle of the hot air balloon display for a truly unique event. Head down to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, grab some tasty eats, and watch in awe as the fleet of hot air balloons takes to the skies. boucheriefestival.com
OCT. 16-17 + 23-24
Baton Rouge Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, a day of kid-friendly Halloween fun, including photo-ops, animal encounters and more. Come dressed in your best costume with an appetite for some spooky festivities. brzoo.org
OCT. 23
Zapp’s International Beerfest brings a selection of more than 200 foreign, domestic, and home-brewed beers and ales into one location for a true beer-lover’s dream. Hosted in LSU’s Rural Life Museum, this event is a can’t-miss for both verified beer aficionados and anyone who just appreciates a good brew. lsu.edu/rurallife
OCT. 27-31
Cheeky Monkey’s, an indoor recreation center, will host a kid-friendly haunted house this month for Halloween fun with the little ones. cheekymonkeysbr.com
OCT. 28
In BREC’s Pumpkin Paddle Parade, participants will meet at BREC’s Milford Wampold Memorial Park to decorate their own canoe, kayak or paddle board in Halloween fashion, then parade in front of a panel of judges. brec.org
OCT. 28
At the Spirits of Louisiana annual event at the Old State Capitol, attendees will taste cocktails made with Louisiana-distilled spirits while munching on food by Heirloom Cuisine and exploring the building’s exhibits. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
OCT. 29
In the free BREC event Trunk + Treat, children of all ages are invited to sport their favorite costumes and roam through Forest Community Park, going from one trunk to the next and collecting lots of Halloween treats. brec.org
OCT. 30
Baton Rouge’s annual Fifolet Halloween Festival will look a bit different this year due to COVID-19. Fifolet’s main event, the Halloween parade, will now take the form of the “Fifolet Flip Flop” a reverse parade where participants will drive through Halloween displays. 1031consortium.com/fifolet
ALSO THIS MONTH
Oct. 13-16
The Junior League of Baton Rouge’s Hollydays market is a fantastic opportunity to find some unique gifts from local vendors while also contributing to a worthy cause. There will be an in-person market hosted in the Raising Cane’s River Center, as well as a virtual market for those who prefer to shop from home. juniorleaguebr.org
Oct. 21
Jambalaya is a culture in itself here in the Pelican State, and the Capital Area United Way Jambalaya Jam celebrates just that. Featuring live music, cold refreshments, and, of course, a jambalaya cookoff, the event wraps up many Louisiana favorites into one night at North Boulevard Town Square. Note: Look out for a late September announcement on any changes caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. cauw.org/jamjam
Oct. 22
Legendary comedian and Emmy Award-winning actor Katt Williams comes to the Raising Cane’s River Center as part of his “World War III” stand-up comedy tour. Come out and enjoy his signature comedic style of side-busting laughs and social commentary. raisingcanesrivercenter.com
Oct. 28-Nov. 7
The 55th annual Greater Baton Rouge State Fair returns this fall, featuring fair favorites like games, concessions and rides, as well as live music and a livestock show. A Baton Rouge tradition since 1965, the fair is an opportunity for wholesome family fun. gbrsf.com
Oct. 30
While the in-person Louisiana Book Festival was canceled this year due to COVID-19, some of the virtual programs will be going forward. Visit louisianabookfestival.org for the latest.
ARTS BEST BETS
OCT. 5-28
Baton Rouge Gallery displays works from artists Justin Tyler Bryant, Rosemary Goodell and Haejung Lee all month, featuring pieces in drawing, painting, print and sculpture. An opening reception is set for Oct. 6, either in-person or virtual as of press time. Check with the gallery for updated information. batonrougegallery.org
OCT. 8
Manship Theatre hosts a screening of The Charmed Life of Fig Dauphin. Written and directed by Baton Rouge native Gretchen Zufall, the comedic film follows a child fortune-teller and her teenage sidekick on a whimsical odyssey through New Orleans. manshiptheatre.org
OCT. 22
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra returns with the fifth annual Bachtoberfest at the Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard. Prepare for a family-friendly outdoor concert featuring plenty of beer, brats and Bach. brso.org
OCT. 28-31
Theatre Baton Rouge stages several performances of The Rocky Horror Show, the classic, campy romp featuring beloved songs and flamboyant characters. theatrebr.org
MUSIC BEST BETS
OCT. 15
Acclaimed country musician Joe Nichols brings his talents to the Texas Club, performing old classics and selections from his upcoming album Never Gets Old. thetexasclub.com
OCT. 15
As part of the Red Dragon Songwriters series, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Thorn takes the Manship Theatre stage, featuring guest performances by Bill Romano and Patrick Cooper. manshiptheatre.org
OCT. 15
A household name in Baton Rouge and a pillar of the rock world at large, Better Than Ezra’s prolific status is undeniable. This month, the band returns to the city where it first formed for a performance at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. lbatonrouge.com
OCT. 30
Hip-hop icon and New Orleans native Kevin Gates heads to the Raising Cane’s River Center as part of his “Khaza” international tour. raisingcanesrivercenter.com
OCT. 8+9
