The LSU Rural Life Museum is proud to present its 2026 theme, Community: The Fabric of our Nation. "Building Community, Building Louisiana: The People of the Rural Life Museum." As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, we honor the everyday people who built Louisiana by highlighting the communities represented at the LSU Rural Life Museum. Through families' historical accounts and objects in the collection, this year's exhibit will focus on the people who called the museum's historic structures home. Programming will include performances, author talks, exhibitions, and hands-on demonstrations. The exhibition will be on display from February through October 2026.

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Haints, Haunts, & Halloween Sunday, October 25th 2:00-4:30pm  Celebrate Halloween the old-fashioned way at the LSU Rural Life Museum! Gather the family and experience the charm of a historic country fair. Stroll through the museum grounds and enjoy storytelling, cake walks, traditional games, and plenty of trick-or treating. Dress up and get decked out in your favorite Halloween costume! Whether your little one is a pirate, princess, superhero, or friendly ghost, costumes are encouraged for kids and grown-ups alike.    Ticket Prices Ages 0-3   Free Ages 4-11  $6   Ages 12+   $12  Purchase Tickets Here

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A Rural Life Christmas 

Sunday, December 6th

10:00am-5:00pm 

Join us for a festive celebration brimming with old-fashioned charm, cherished holiday traditions, and fun for the whole family!

Stroll through historic homes decked out for the season, enjoy live music, and watch skilled artisans at work.

Savor the aroma of open-hearth cooking and fresh-baked breads.

Meet costumed reenactors and gather round for captivating storytellers and musicians.

Get hands-on with old-fashioned Christmas crafts: make your own Christmas crackers, tin ornaments and lanterns, and adorable pinecone sheep.

Visit with Papa Noël, write a letter to Santa with a quill pen, and try your hand at 19th-century games.

Warm up with a bowl of piping-hot gumbo at our food tent (open 11am-2pm), enjoy the cheerful ringing of Bells Jubilate, and climb aboard a wagon ride.

We are also excited to announce the return of our traditional bonfire on the museum grounds.

Come celebrate the season the old-fashioned way, and watch history come alive!

Purchase Tickets Here

Tickets to A Rural Life Christmas do not include admission to Louisiana Lights.

 

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Wassailing in Windrush

A Celebration of Seasonal Food, Traditional Music, and Holiday Lights

Sponsored by the Friends of the LSU Rural Life Museum

 Tuesday, December 15th 

5:00-7:30pm 

Step into a world of old-world charm and holiday enchantment at Wassailing in Windrush, a festive evening celebrating the warmth, wonder, and traditions of the season. Stroll through the beautifully illuminated Windrush Gardens, where glowing pathways, historic landscapes, and timeless scenery create a magical setting for holiday cheer.

Along the way, enjoy live traditional and seasonal music, encounter captivating historic and literary vignettes brought to life by Red Magnolia Theatre Co., and savor savory food and drink inspired by centuries-old holiday customs. Enjoy friends and family around fireside gatherings, share in the spirit of the season, and discover the delight of holiday traditions in one of Baton Rouge’s most treasured historic settings.

Blending the brilliance of Louisiana Lights with the rich heritage of the LSU Rural Life Museum, Wassailing in Windrush invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and make lasting holiday memories in an atmosphere unlike any other.

Purchase Tickets Here

Proceeds benefit the Friends of LSU Rural Life Museum and support the museum’s preservation and educational mission with a portion supporting Red Magnolia Theatre Co.

 

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Louisiana Lights 

November 27th- December 30th

Experience the magic of the season at Louisiana Lights, a breathtaking holiday display that transforms Windrush Gardens into a glowing winter wonderland. Wander through enchanting garden rooms illuminated with dazzling lights, where the beauty of nature and the legacy of Steele Burden shine in perfect harmony.

This seasonal event is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, offering a serene and festive escape for all ages.

More Information and Ticket Purchasing

 

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Fall Speaker Series Sharon Louque  Monday, November 16th 12:00-1:00pm Pack your lunch and join us for a lunch & learn with Sharon Louque, a longtime docent for the LSU Rural Life Museum. Sharon is a retired school nurse who now spends her time sharing her passion for history; specifically River Road Plantation history. She is apart of the fourth and last Keller generation to have known, loved, and spent time in the Welham Plantation house. Welham was bought by her great grandfather, Leonce Keller, and Poche in 1904. Her grandfather, Milton, and her dad, Ray, were both born and raised in the house. Sharon remembers many happy times spent there for holidays, summers, and Sunday afternoons with her grandparents and forty one cousins. Many of Welham Plantation's outbuildings are now historic structures here at the museum. She currently resides in St. James Parish, where she works part time at Felicity Plantation and the St. James Parish Tourist Welcome Center. She also enjoys spending time with her three children and eight grandchildren.