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(09/03/24) BATON ROUGE, La. — It began as a simple wish to make Baton Rouge a holiday tourist destination for families and friends to make memories that would last a lifetime. Now, as Louisiana Lights: Where the Holidays Shine is set to debut in November, that wish is coming true.
The immersive, multinight lightshow will illuminate the historic Windrush Gardens at Burden Museum & Gardens. The natural beauty of the gardens will dazzle the senses through artistic uses of light to create a winter wonderland that will need to be seen to be believed, said Bill Stark, director of the LSU Rural Life Museum.
“We’re not only creating a new tradition for our community, but we are also ensuring the sustainability of the Burden family’s gift and one of Louisiana’s most unique and treasured assets for future generations,” he said. “It's an intergenerational celebration, a harmonious blend of nature, history, togetherness and festive spirit.”
The event will invite residents and visitors to take an hourlong stroll through interconnected garden rooms that are exquisitely lit for the holidays, celebrating a garden where the past and present shine as one.
Louisiana Lights was made possible through a collaboration with Visit Baton Rouge. Jill Kidder, CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, believes a presentation of this magnitude is long overdue for the Baton Rouge tourism industry.
“As identified in our current strategic plan, the largest opportunity to boost visitation to Baton Rouge lies between the end of college football season and the beginning of Mardi Gras season,” she said.
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens resident director Jeff Kuehny praised the dreamlike quality of the experience, emphasizing how unique it is to have it take place in a metropolitan city like Baton Rouge.
“It beckons guests to embrace the harmony of nature and artistry of light, transporting them into the serene oasis designed by Steele Burden in the heart of urban life,” he said.
Louisiana Lights will be held every Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 29. Each night’s first session will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the last will start at 8:30 p.m. Onsite parking will be $10.
Visit DiscoverBurden.com/LaLights to purchase tickets beginning Sept. 15.
The sparkling majestic trees and colorful paths of the “Holiday Hallway” set the tone for a dazzling adventure through Louisiana Lights, a winter wonderland in historic Windrush Gardens at Burden. Photo by Kim Meadowlark
Visitors of all ages will delight in the illuminated gardens of Louisiana Lights filled with twinkling stars, shimmering landscapes and radiant majestic oaks. The event premieres this holiday season at Burden Museum & Gardens. Photo by Kim Meadowlark