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LASM’S FREE FIRST SUNDAYS RETURN

Free First Sundays are back at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum through September 2022. Sponsored by Mr. Madison Lamar, First Free Sundays at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum ensure free admission on the first Sunday of each month between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to all the museum has to offer, including for the first time in First Sunday history, an array of shows in the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. First Free Sunday’s benefactor has sponsored this program to ensure that for 12 months, anyone who visits the Louisiana Art & Science Museum on the First Free Sunday of the month, regardless of financial standing, will be able to experience exposure to the arts and sciences with no charge. ■ lasm.org

After a difficult year in 2020 and theatre performances coming to a halt for several months, local theatre company, Playmakers of Baton Rouge will finally take the stage once again for their upcoming Home for the Holidays performances.

Home for the Holidays is a musical revue that will include everyone’s favorite holiday carols, while also taking time to celebrate moments from past Playmakers’ productions. Performances will be held at Reilly Theatre on Friday, December 10 at 7 p.m., December 11-12 at 2 p.m., Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m., and December 18-19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for children and $20 for adults. Masks are required on the LSU campus. ■ playmakersbr.org

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

ALMA LOUISE STARS IN A SERIES

New-to-Baton Rouge author and artist, Melissa Turner, has created her own line of children’s books. The Alma Louise Children’s Series is based on the life of her real-life grandmother. Titles in the series include Alma Louise, Alma Louise Wears a Cape, Alma Louise Makes a Cupcake, Alma Louise Gets a Hole in her Sock, Pack for the Beach with Alma Louise, Alma Louise Plans a Picnic, Alma Louise Leaves a Note, Alma Louise Picks a Mask, and Alma Louise and the Christmas Trees. The series also includes a Doodling Book for drawing, and an Activity Book that allows young readers to write their own stories. Turner recently moved to Baton Rouge with her husband and five children. ■ facebook.com/ almalouisebooks

SANTA’S WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are proud to invite families to the beloved tradition of visiting Santa Claus this holiday season during the annual Santa’s Wonderland experience. Santa will arrive from the North Pole during a free outdoor tailgate event that transforms the retailer into a magical Christmas village with free games, fun activities and giveaways. The festive Contactless Claus experience begins with Santa’s arrival and runs through Friday, December 24.  Photos with Santa are available with free advance reservations, and there will even be a spot for children to drop off their wish lists for the North Pole. ■ basspro.com/santa or cabelas.com/santa

FATHER & DAUGHTER DANCE

Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, and men are invited to escort the special lady in their lives to an evening of laughter, fun, and love. The Fathers on a Mission (F.O.A.M.) Father & Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, December 18 at 5 p.m. at the Helix Aviation Academy Hangar. The fourth annual event will include dinner, a DJ, raffles, and gifts. Cost is $5 per person, and there is no age restriction. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite. F.O.A.M.’s mission is to promote responsible committed fatherhood through education, strong relationships, holistic health, and socioeconomic improvement opportunities. This will be one event that your little princess won’t want to miss. ■ eventbrite.com

After Hurricane Ida caused delays to renovations at the production’s usual home, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre has officially found a new home for the upcoming The Nutcracker–A Tale from the Bayou performances. Now held in Raising Cane’s River Center’s Ballroom, The Nutcracker–A Tale from the Bayou will be holding performances from December 18-19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and going fast. Don’t miss this annual holiday production, where you and your loved ones will be enchanted by beautiful choreography, fun magic, and new twists on many scenes. The performances will feature the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $30-65. ■ batonrougeballet.org

NUTCRACKER–A TALE FROM THE BAYOU

EBR LIBRARY’S FOOD FOR FINES

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is teaming up with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank again this year with the return of the Food for Fines holiday incentive. Starting Wednesday, December 1 through Friday, December 31, library patrons who owe fines may have $1 deducted from their account for each canned good or non-perishable food item they drop off at the Circulation Desk at each library location. All donated items will go to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. It is important to note that this applies only to charges for overdue fines. Examples of suitable items include canned vegetables, canned soup and meat, flour, rice, peanut butter, pasta, corn meal, breakfast cereal and bars. ■ (225) 231-3740

LIVE NATIVITY & CONCERT AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

Start a new tradition with your loved ones this holiday season by attending First Presbyterian’s Live Nativity. See the beautiful reenactment of the birth of Jesus Christ as told in the Gospels during First Presbyterian Church’s Live Nativity. Performances are approximately 30 minutes long and will be held on Friday, December 3 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. This year, attendees will have the added joy of experiencing performances by the Foto Sisters and Michael O’Brien after the Nativity. O’Brien is the former lead singer of the Christian band, Newsong. The concert, The Incarnation of Christ, will be held in the Sanctuary at 7 p.m. For the children, there will also be a petting zoo as a part of the event. ■ fpcbr.org

NOLA CHRISTMASFEST HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE

New Orleans kicks off this year’s holiday season with the return of the highly anticipated NOLA ChristmasFest. The one-of-a-kind indoor holiday extravaganza is presented by Coca-Cola and will feature spectacular festive events and holly jolly activities for the whole family. The event, produced by The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC), will run from December 17-22 and December 25-30. This year, NOLA ChristmasFest will return to in-person festivities with its re-imagined ice zone, The Big Freezy, which will include New Orleans’ only real ice-skating rink, an expanded magical slope slide area with three lanes, plus a brand-new ice bocce court. Space will be limited, so be sure to get your tickets early. ■ nolachristmasfest.com

OCHSNER OPENS PEDIATRIC SUPER-CLINIC

Ochsner Baton Rouge has officially opened its pediatric super-clinic inside Ochsner Medical Complex–The Grove. The announcement of the clinic opening was made via a Facebook video highlighting the clinic space. In the video, children serve as clinical staff, while the patients are represented by superheroes. The new space–which accounts for approximately 18,000 square feet and nearly the entire fifth floor of the building–combines pediatricians with pediatric specialty services all under one roof. In addition, the new super-clinic architecture provides children with a fun, friendly and welcoming environment. The Grove also offers same-day surgical procedures for children through its hospital component. ■ ochsner.org

PREGNANCY/INFANT LOSS SUPPORT

Experiencing a pregnancy or infant loss can be an isolating feeling, and the Woman’s Hospital Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group is a way for families to share their stories and find support in one another. During the virtual sessions, a licensed social worker will guide discussions and help grieving families as they navigate the many emotions that follow the loss of a baby.

This free, virtual support group meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Registration is required for all members, and information to access the Zoom meeting will only be shared with users after registration is completed. ■ womans.org or (225) 924-8456

NEW ALL-ABILITIES FIELD IN ASCENSION

It’s game time in Ascension Parish, as a new ball field has officially opened. The City of Gonzales and Parish of Ascension opened its first all-abilities baseball/softball field, allowing children and adults who are wheelchair-bound or living with disabilities to play the sport they love. The new Team of Dreams league and field were made possible through the Leadership Ascension Team of Dreams project and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. The City of Gonzales is currently fielding a Team of Dreams Baseball League that will play on the new field. The inaugural season is scheduled to start play in Spring 2022. This league is for persons who use wheelchairs, persons with physical disabilities, or persons with intellectual disabilities. ■ gonzalesla.com