Free Family Fun Abounds in Baton Rouge This Week

Storytimes, farmers markets, movies, music, and hands-on garden activities offer budget-friendly entertainment.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:20pm

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Baton Rouge is offering a variety of free, family-friendly activities this week, including storytimes at local bookstores, farmers markets, outdoor movie screenings, live music, and a children's garden party focused on pollinators.

Why it matters

With inflation and economic uncertainty, free community events provide much-needed affordable entertainment options for Baton Rouge families looking to enjoy quality time together.

The details

The free activities span the week, from Sunday storytimes at Barnes & Noble to Thursday's Red Stick Farmers Market and evening live music at Perkins Rowe, Friday's outdoor movie screening of Sonic 3, and Saturday's pollinator-themed garden party at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.

  • On Sunday, April 12, Barnes & Noble–Perkins Rowe will host a children's storytime at 2 p.m.
  • The Red Stick Farmers Market will take place on Thursday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to noon at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and again on Saturday, April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon at 501 Main Street.
  • On Thursday, April 16 from 6-9 p.m., Perkins Rowe will host the free 'Rock n Rowe' live music event.
  • BREC's T.D. Bickham, Jr. Park in Baker will screen the movie Sonic 3 on Friday, April 17 starting at 6 p.m.
  • The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens will host a free Children's Garden Party focused on pollinators on Saturday, April 18 from 9-11 a.m.
  • Barnes & Noble locations will host free Saturday Storytime events at 2 p.m. on April 18.

The players

Barnes & Noble

A national bookstore chain that is hosting free children's storytimes in Baton Rouge this week.

Red Stick Farmers Market

A weekly farmers market in Baton Rouge that features local produce, artisanal goods, and family-friendly activities.

Perkins Rowe

A mixed-use development in Baton Rouge that is hosting free live music and an outdoor movie screening this week.

BREC

The recreation and park system for East Baton Rouge Parish, which is hosting a free outdoor movie screening.

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

The botanical gardens operated by Louisiana State University, which is hosting a free children's garden party focused on pollinators.

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What they’re saying

“Baton Rouge has plenty of family-friendly free fun this week, from storytimes to outdoor adventures and evening entertainment.”

— Amanda Brparents.Com, Author

The takeaway

This week's lineup of free community events in Baton Rouge provides a variety of engaging, budget-friendly options for families to enjoy quality time together, from literary enrichment to outdoor exploration and live music.