Louisiana has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette on November 24 to Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans, which runs through January 1. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Louisiana for 2026, in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Shreveport
- First: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library, Lafayette, November 24. Runs latest: Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans, through January 1
- Free: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library, Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World and Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Louisiana Christmas train rides page.
Louisiana Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Shreveport
- Season
- November 24, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- Free events
- 3
- Kinds of events
- holiday lights, Santa visit, holiday show and holiday story time
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Louisiana Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette on November 24; the last runs to January 1. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main LibraryLafayette · Nov 24
- Zoo LightsBaton Rouge · Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Celebration in the OaksNew Orleans · Nov 27 to Jan 1
- Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the WorldWestlake · Dec 10
- Saturday Story Time: Santa's SleighShreveport · Dec 12
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Louisiana? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Baton Rouge
1 confirmed event for kids in Baton Rouge, soonest first.
Baton Rouge: Zoo Lights
Holiday lightsBREC's Baton Rouge Zoo · Baton Rouge
- Host
- BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, 3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
- When
- Friday, November 27, 2026 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (nightly, closed Dec 24 and 25), 5:30 to 9 pm
- Cost
- $5 adults and teens, $3 children 2 to 12, free 1 and under
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Zoo Lights runs nightly at BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo from November 27 through December 30, closing only on December 24 and 25. Gates open from 5:30 to 8 pm, and the grounds close at 9 pm. Admission is one of the most affordable holiday outings around: $5 for adults and teens, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2 to 12 and zoo members, and free for little ones 1 and under.
Santa Claus visits on Fridays and Saturdays before Christmas in Classroom 3 at the new zoo entrance. The zoo also runs a food drive, and bringing a non perishable item earns a 50 percent admission discount. Many animals are brought inside at night, so animal viewing is limited, and the zoo train does not run during Zoo Lights.
Parent tip: Bring a canned or boxed food item for half price admission, and plan a Friday or Saturday if you want to see Santa.
See dates and details from BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Lafayette
1 confirmed event for kids in Lafayette, soonest first.
Lafayette: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library
Santa visitFreeLafayette Public Library · Lafayette
- Host
- Lafayette Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lafayette Public Library, Main Library (Story Castle, 1st floor), 301 W Congress St, Lafayette, LA 70501
- When
- Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 10 am to noon
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0 to 18, families welcome
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lafayette Public Library kicks off the season with Santa visits at several branches, and the Main Library downtown hosts him in its Story Castle on the first floor. Children can take a picture with Santa using a parent's own phone, so there is no photo package to buy, and then join library staff for a craft.
The program is listed for ages 0 to 18, and families are welcome. The library runs the same Santa visit at South Regional and West Regional on Monday, Nov 23, at North Regional in Carencro on the afternoon of Nov 24, and at East Regional on Monday, Dec 21, so families can pick the branch and date that fits.
Parent tip: Bring a charged phone for the Santa photo. Check the library calendar for the branch closest to you if downtown does not suit.
See dates and details from Lafayette Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Lake Charles
1 confirmed event for kids in Lake Charles, including nearby Westlake, soonest first.
Westlake: Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World
Holiday showFreeCalcasieu Parish Public Library · Westlake
- Host
- Calcasieu Parish Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Westlake Branch, Westlake Community Room, 937 Mulberry St, Westlake, LA 70669 (near Lake Charles)
- When
- Thursday, December 10, 2026, 4 to 5 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- General/Family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Calcasieu Parish Public Library welcomes back Bright Star Theatre, a touring children's theatre company, for Holidays From Around the World. Professional actors use storytelling, music and interactive moments to show how families in different cultures celebrate the season, which makes it both entertaining and a gentle lesson in geography and traditions.
The after-school performance is in the Westlake Community Room at the Westlake Branch, just across the river from Lake Charles. It is free and listed for families, with no registration shown. Earlier the same day, the Central Branch in Lake Charles hosts a 10 am performance aimed at homeschool families, with a craft and refreshments afterward.
Parent tip: Seating is in a community room, so arrive a few minutes early for a good view. Homeschool families may prefer the 10 am Central Branch show.
See dates and details from Calcasieu Parish Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in New Orleans
1 confirmed event for kids in New Orleans, soonest first.
New Orleans: Celebration in the Oaks
Holiday lightsNew Orleans City Park · New Orleans
- Host
- New Orleans City Park (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- New Orleans City Park, 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124
- When
- Friday, November 27, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027 (select nights)
- Cost
- Ticketed, see CelebrationInTheOaks.com
- Ages
- All ages
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Celebration in the Oaks is New Orleans City Park's holiday lights tradition, and the park's calendar lists the 2026 season from November 27 through January 1, 2027. The event takes place in City Park among its famous live oak trees, a setting that makes the displays feel different from a typical light show.
The City Park listing points families to CelebrationInTheOaks.com for tickets, nightly hours and the full list of dates, and notes that additional dates are available there. Because hours, prices and any special nights are posted on that ticketing site rather than on the park calendar, check it before you drive over, and buy timed tickets in advance if they are offered for your night. For questions, City Park can be reached at 504-482-4888.
Parent tip: Buy tickets and check nightly hours on CelebrationInTheOaks.com before you go; call 504-482-4888 with questions.
See dates and details from New Orleans City Park (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Shreveport
1 confirmed event for kids in Shreveport, soonest first.
Shreveport: Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh
Holiday story timeFreeShreve Memorial Library · Shreveport
- Host
- Shreve Memorial Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Broadmoor Branch Library, Meeting Room, 1212 Captain Shreve Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 to 11 am
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Shreve Memorial Library's Broadmoor Branch fills its Saturday story time with whimsical, entertaining stories about Santa and his sleigh. After the reading, children are invited to create their very own sleigh for Santa to take home.
The program is free and held in the Broadmoor Meeting Room. Children under 10 need an adult with them. The same branch hosts Santa Visits Broadmoor that afternoon from 3 to 4 pm in the Youth Services Area, where kids can tell Santa their wishes and have a picture taken, so families can make a day of it or come back later for the visit.
Parent tip: Pair the 10 am story time with the 3 pm Santa visit at the same branch the same day.
See dates and details from Shreve Memorial Library (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Mississippi, Christmas events for kids in Texas and Christmas events for kids in Arkansas list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonLouisiana Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Louisiana in 2026?
We confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in Louisiana for 2026 on each host’s own page: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette (November 24), Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans (November 27), Zoo Lights in Baton Rouge (November 27), Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World in Westlake (December 10) and Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh in Shreveport (December 12). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
For families in and around Baton Rouge, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Zoo Lights (Nightly, Nov 27 to Dec 30 (closed Dec 24 and 25), $5 adults and teens, $3 children 2 to 12, free 1 and under). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Baton Rouge section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Lafayette, Louisiana?
For families in and around Lafayette, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library (Tue, Nov 24, 10 am to noon, free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Lafayette section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
For families in and around Lake Charles, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World (in Westlake, Thu, Dec 10, 4 to 5 pm, free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Lake Charles section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in New Orleans, Louisiana?
For families in and around New Orleans, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Celebration in the Oaks (Nov 27 to Jan 1, ticketed, see celebrationintheoaks.com). Details and the host’s link for each are in the New Orleans section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Shreveport, Louisiana?
For families in and around Shreveport, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh (Sat, Dec 12, 10 to 11 am, free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Shreveport section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Louisiana?
Yes. 3 of the 5 events here are free: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette, Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World in Westlake and Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh in Shreveport. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Louisiana this December?
Santa appears at Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette (November 24) and Zoo Lights in Baton Rouge (November 27). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Louisiana?
Holiday story times on this page: Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh in Shreveport. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Which Louisiana Christmas events are best for toddlers?
These are aimed at babies, toddlers and preschoolers: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette (Ages 0 to 18, families welcome).
Are there kids' Christmas events in Louisiana on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans (through January 1) and Zoo Lights in Baton Rouge (through December 30).
How much is Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library in Lafayette?
Free. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!: Main Library is on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 10 am to noon at Lafayette Public Library, Main Library (Story Castle, 1st floor). Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans?
Ticketed, see CelebrationInTheOaks.com. Celebration in the Oaks is on Friday, November 27, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027 (select nights) at New Orleans City Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Zoo Lights in Baton Rouge?
$5 adults and teens, $3 children 2 to 12, free 1 and under. Zoo Lights is on Friday, November 27, 2026 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (nightly, closed Dec 24 and 25), 5:30 to 9 pm at BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World in Westlake?
Free. Bright Star Theatre Presents: Holidays From Around the World is on Thursday, December 10, 2026, 4 to 5 pm at Westlake Branch, Westlake Community Room. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh in Shreveport?
Free. Saturday Story Time: Santa's Sleigh is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 to 11 am at Broadmoor Branch Library, Meeting Room. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Louisiana?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Louisiana Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
