Let us help you plan your event
Downtown Baton Rouge has worked to connect numerous civic and cultural institutions near the River Center and City Hall campuses through a unified system of greenspaces known collectively as the Central Green. Since their completion between 2012 and 2018, North Boulevard Town Square, Galvez Plaza, The Crest Stage, Rhorer Plaza (City Hall Plaza), and Repentance Park have been host to over 200 annual events including the popular Live After Five Series, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, and many more festivals and small informal gatherings.
This web page is designed to provide effective coordination of the hundreds of special event requests each year, while allowing for the protection of public property and safe and equitable access for all park users. The Downtown Development District is the liaison between the City/Parish and the general public, with a primary focus of being a point of contact and resource of information to individuals and organizations that wish to produce special events downtown.
For additional information or questions please contact:
Downtown Development District
Event Request
Email
225-389-5520
North Boulevard Town Square
North Boulevard Town Square is a spectacular greenspace development that has transformed the disjointed area between North Boulevard and River Road into a lively downtown center where the city’s cultural and civic attractions come together for all to enjoy. Town Square has now become the city’s premier social gathering place — featuring more than an acre of open green space and innovative water features that help cool the landscape and a multitude of high-tech amenities to entertain visitors. The various components of the space include an elevated seating area with movable chairs and tables, a fountain with splash-pad, the Beacon broadcast screen and sound system, and the Galvez Plaza lawn and stage underneath the unmistakable Crest sculpture. North Boulevard Town Square can be reserved for concerts, outdoor dinners, press conferences, and much more.
Repentance Park
Repentance Park features an arced walkway with fixed seating, fountain and splash-pad with 750 jets, undulating land forms, a great lawn, and tiered steps to sit and enjoy the views of the Mississippi River. The public has embraced Repentance Park since its rennovation and have used the park for picnics, sun bathing, and playing ball. During downtown’s many festivals the space has found its use as a stage and seating area. With it’s open space and sloped character, Repentance Park is one of the more versatile options for hosting an event.
The riverfront is the Western boundary of downtown along the Mississippi River and is composed of a series of walking and biking paths, variable greenspaces ranging from lawns to hardscaped riverbanks and fountains, and historic plazas that are used daily for active and passive recreation. The Riverfront was historically the front door to the city’s incoming river traffic, and after a period of disuse, is back to being one of Downtown’s major attractions.
Each individual space along the riverfront is available for use in events including:
- The Levee Stage
- Riverfront Plaza
- The Levee Green
- The Riverfront Access at Florida Street
Between the Shaw Center and the Mississippi Riverfront sits Lafayette Park, a small plaza perfect for intimate gatherings and receptions. The unique black and white hard paving underfoot provides a continuity to the space nestled underneath the large live oaks above. The park features a multi fountain splash pad, historic water tower, and ample event space.
Rhorer Plaza’s unique space features a brick landscape punctuated by raised planters, a multitude of levels, memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and direct access to the River Center, North Boulevard Town Square, and Repentance Park. During festivals, the space is extensively used as a level space on which to set up merchant tents and gastronomic attractions. Centrally located in the expanding Central Green, this Plaza delivers on location and accessibility for any urban event.