Family Life, Holidays, Things To Do

Top 5 Holiday Destinations

Experience the magic of the holiday season at these five locations.

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo’s Zoolights
Join BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo for Zoolights starting November 25-December 30! This festive trail through the Zoo boasts more than 50 illuminated sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays that light up the night for the whole family to enjoy. Zoolights admission gates are open nightly from 5:30-8 p.m., and grounds close at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults & teens, $4 for senior citizens, $3 for children ages 2-12, and $3 for members. This year, every guest presenting a non-perishable food item during the hours of Zoolights will receive 50 percent off of regular admission. All donations will go to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. brzoo.org

NOLA ChristmasFest – December 21-30, 2022
The coolest holiday event is returning to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center this year! NOLA ChristmasFest is bringing you tons of holiday cheer with carnival rides, an indoor ice-skating rink, sparkling displays, and, of course, Santa and all his friends. You’ll even have the opportunity to go skating with Santa on December 23! There are two timed entry sessions per day. Ticketing capacity is limited so get yours while supplies last! Sales are through credit card online purchases only at NOLAChristmasFest.com; no one under 18 admitted without a parent present. nolachristmasfest.com

32nd Annual Ice Skating on the River
The Raising Cane’s River Center will once again magically transform into a “Winter Wonderland” just in time for you to create your holiday memories. Ice Skating on the River (Presented by Fox 44 and NBC 33) is an annual holiday tradition that will kick off on Friday, December 16. A fun-filled holiday event for all ages, Ice Skating on the River will have 75-minute sessions nearly every day from December 16 until January 3. Tickets will be on sale for $20 per person with special group and birthday party packages for parties over 10 people. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com or at the River Center Box Office. raisingcanesrivercenter.com

Hammond Rotary Club’s 64th Christmas Parade
Roll out the red carpet, it’s time for the Hammond Christmas Parade! Come celebrate with the Hammond Rotary Club on Friday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. as the 64th traditional parade returns to the streets of downtown Hammond. The Rotary Club welcomes Floyd’s Family Pharmacy as title sponsor this year. Get your nontraditional green and gold colors out, as Floyd’s has chosen the theme “It’s a Lion Up Christmas.” The parade will line up at Southeastern’s University Center and roll down General Pershing on its usual route. The judges will be stationed at PJ’s Coffee on Magnolia awaiting the floats, vehicles, and marching clubs. The Parade will feature colorful floats, old cars, side by sides and Jolly old Santa. hammondrotary.com

Celebrate the Holidays with a Camping Trip to Cajun Palms!
Every weekend this December, guests will receive a s’more kit, tickets to our lighted trail, a photo with Santa, Christmas crafts, and access to other holiday-themed events when they stay at Cajun Palms. We have newly updated cabins and spacious RV sites available. Visit our website for our full schedule! Not able to camp this season? Don’t worry, our lighted trail at the Prehistoric Park is open to the general public! This 1/2 mile festive trail is filled with lights and photo ops. You might even run into the Grinch! Tickets are $8-12. CajunPalms.com

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