Fall is officially here, and Baton Rouge is wasting no time getting into the spirit.

The final days of September kick off a packed stretch of festivals, outdoor events, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions and Halloween celebrations happening throughout October. Whether you’re looking for something spooky, something family-friendly or just an excuse to spend a fall afternoon outside, there’s plenty happening around the Capital City.

Here are a few events to put on your calendar as we head into October.

Rock N Rowe

Fall evenings at Perkins Rowe are back. Rock N Rowe continues every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. through October 29, bringing free live music to Town Square. The Remnants take the stage for Family Night on September 24 before the October lineup kicks off with the Coverly Brothers on October 1. Later performances include Lee Serio Band, Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, 2 Domestic 1 Import and Werewolf to close out the season on October 29.

The 13th Gate Returns

Spooky season really begins when The 13th Gate opens its doors. The downtown Baton Rouge haunted attraction begins its 2026 season September 25 and continues on select nights through early November.

Located on St. Philip Street, The 13th Gate takes visitors through a massive collection of highly detailed haunted environments, making it one of Baton Rouge’s signature Halloween traditions. If you like your fall activities on the terrifying side, add this one to the list.

Corn Maze at Burden

Pumpkins, sunflowers, hayrides and a corn maze? It doesn’t get much more fall than that.

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens will host its annual Corn Maze at Burden throughout October. Dates include October 3, 4, 10, 17, 24 and 31, with availability varying by session.

Beyond making your way through the maze, visitors can explore the sunflower field, take a hayride, visit the petting farm, play in the corn crib and pick out a pumpkin. It’s an easy addition to the fall bucket list, especially for families looking for a full afternoon activity.

Boo at the Zoo

Costumes are encouraged at one of Baton Rouge’s favorite family Halloween traditions.

Boo at the Zoo returns to BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo October 17, 18, 24 and 25. The celebration includes trick-or-treat stations, Halloween and fall photo opportunities, character meet and greets, entertainment, food trucks and special Halloween-themed animal enrichment activities.

Regular zoo admission applies, and zoo members receive free admission.

Raise a Stein at Baton Rouge Oktoberfest

Trade the pumpkin spice for a stein on October 18.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Greater Baton Rouge Chapter is bringing its annual Oktoberfest celebration back to Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux on Burbank Drive from 2 to 6 p.m.

The afternoon will feature German-inspired dishes from local restaurants, beer and alcohol tastings, live music from Pants Party, a stein-holding competition, a costume contest and plenty of Oktoberfest fun. Even better, the event falls during LSU Homecoming Weekend.

The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair

Few things say fall quite like fair food and a Ferris wheel.

The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair returns October 22 through November 1 at the Airline Highway Fairgrounds. Expect midway rides and games, live entertainment, food vendors, exhibits, contests and family-friendly attractions throughout its 11-day run.

The fair opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon on Saturdays and Sundays, giving you plenty of opportunities to fit a fair night into your October plans.

Haints, Haunts & Halloween

For Halloween fun with a little Louisiana history mixed in, head to the LSU Rural Life Museum on October 25.

Haints, Haunts & Halloween brings an old-fashioned approach to the holiday with storytelling, traditional games, cake walks and trick-or-treating throughout the museum grounds. Costumes are encouraged for kids and adults, making this one of the more unique family Halloween celebrations happening in Baton Rouge this year.

Fifolet Halloween Festival

Downtown Baton Rouge is going all in on Halloween.

The Fifolet Halloween Festival returns October 29–31 for three days of festivities organized by the 10/31 Consortium. The weekend kicks off with a Halloween Pub Crawl on Thursday, October 29, followed by the Fifolet Halloween Parade through downtown on Friday, October 30, and more festivities leading into Halloween.

Costumes, downtown celebrations and plenty of Halloween spirit make Fifolet one of the biggest events of spooky season in Baton Rouge.

Night Maze at Burden

If walking through a corn maze during the day isn’t enough, try it after dark.

Night Maze at Burden takes over the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens on Friday, October 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests can navigate the maze by moonlight before hanging out around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, playing games and listening to live music from Swampland Revival.

The evening also includes the hay mountain, corn crib, giant games, vendors and food available for purchase.

There’s Plenty More Fall to Come

And this is only the beginning.

Between LSU and Southern game days, pumpkin patches, seasonal markets, outdoor concerts, local restaurants rolling out fall menus and Halloween events popping up across the city, Baton Rouge has plenty to keep your calendar full through the end of October.

So grab your costume, find a pumpkin and enjoy the season while it lasts.

Keep following DIG Baton Rouge as we highlight more local events, restaurants and things to do throughout fall in the Capital City.