Festival of Lights to take place as planned

There’s no snow in the forecast this week—but lots of rain—so it appears Baton Rouge officially will kick off the Christmas season downtown Friday when a half-million lights will sparkle to life at the Downtown Festival of Lights, followed by a riverside fireworks display. Carolers will stroll the streets, and there’ll be plenty to do and see—from an open house at the Old Governor’s mansion, to a children’s village. Watch local luminaries light the city’s 35-foot tall Christmas tree, and ice skate for free outside after you’ve browsed the crafts and displays. Also this weekend, the Lutcher levees in St. James Parish will light up for miles, not with twinkling Christmas lights but with roaring bonfires. The age-old tradition is a famous one, reported on yearly by national newspapers, and attracts thousands of visitors from all over. The night will be highlighted by food, live entertainment, arts and crafts and carnival rides—and of course the aforementioned towering infernos. Take the kids to see the flashiest navigation system any community ever created for Santa. Visit festivalofthebonfires.org for more information. For more cool events going on in and around the Capital Area, read 225 Select by clicking here.