Events

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bird sitting on branch

Birding at Burden

One Saturday a month | 7 - 9 a.m.

Did you know 320 species of birds have been recorded in and around Burden, including common species, such as northern mockingbirds and ruby-throated hummingbirds, seven different woodpeckers, waterfowl and wading birds, and a variety of resident migratory songbirds?

Grab your birding gear and join us bright and early to catch a glimpse of some of these species on a two-hour guided tour led by different birding specialists through the birding loops at Burden.

Admission is $10. The capacity for each excursion is limited to 15 guests. Register here.

2023 Summer dates:

  • June 17
  • July 15
  • August 19
orchid

Orchid Show & Sale

July 8, 2023 |  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

July 9, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Baton Rouge Orchid Society's Annual Show & Sale offers stunning visual displays from multiple Orchid Societies across the Gulf Coast, affordable sale plants from local vendors, expert growing advice, and even the chance to win one of several raffle plants!  This event is free and open to the public.

woman painting

Icon Painting Workshop

August 2023

Th Icon Workshop is a thoughtful and meditative week-long retreat focusing on traditional painting techniques that date back 2,000 years. The workshop is led by trained Iconographers in the Ione Burden Conference Center. No artistic skill or previous painting experience is required, and all materials are provided by Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. You are also welcome to bring your own brushes, Ott light, or wet pallet if you prefer. Coffee and lunch are provided daily. 

Email dianawells1548@gmail.com for more information.

adult reading to children

StoryTime in the Garden

Join us on Saturday morning to listen to storybook readings and flex your creative muscles! Young children will have a blast interacting with other kids, making arts and crafts, and listening to stories. Little ones also receive a book to take home with them. Every half hour, we switch between stories and crafts to keep young children interested and engaged. Best suited for children ages 3-8, but children of all ages are welcome!  Admission is free. No registration is required. 

girl in front of corn maze entrance

Corn Maze

October 7, 14, 21, 28

Join us as we open our fields and crank up our tractors to usher in the Fall season with some crazy mazy outdoor fun.

 

bonfire with marshmallows roasting

Night Maze & Bonfire

October 28, 2023 | 6 - 9 p.m.

Grab your costumes, glow sticks, and flash lights and head on over Night Maze. At our family-friendly Night Maze you can take a stroll through the corn maze, roast marshmallows by the bonfire, climb the hay mountain, go for a "swim" in the corn crib, play awesome games, and dance to live music! 

champagne flutes filled with pink cocktail

Wine and Roses Rambler

November 5, 2023

The Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden invite you to ramble through the Gardens!

Stroll through the gardens as you savor gourmet hors d'oeuvres and desserts, fine wines and specialty cocktails. Enjoy live music, a wine toss, and a fabulous surprise raffle.

 

red poinsettias

Poinsettia Sale & Show

November 2023 

It's not Christmas in Louisiana without Botanic Gardens Poinsettias! Over 20 varieties of locally-grown Poinsettias will be on display and available for sale at the Botanic Gardens greenhouse. The botanic gardens evaluates Poinsettia varieties developed by breeders worldwide and they will be exclusively sold at the annual show and sale. A limited quantity of each variety are available. Arrive on time so you don't miss out on these rare varieties of Poinsettias! 

two girls help young boy plant a tree

Arbor Day 

January 20, 2024

We partner with Baton Rouge Green to bring you the best Arbor Day celebration ever! Join us for tree climbing with Bofinger's Tree Service, a scavenger hunt, ax throwing with the Timber Tigers, shopping with local vendors and even a chance to meet Smokey Bear (don't worry, he's not a real bear). Plant your very own tree in the Burden Woods and track its growth using GPS coordinates! The trees you plant help reforest the Burden Woods after previous hurricane seasons. Baton Rouge Green will host their annual tree giveaway in conjunction with Arbor Day. 

White camellia

Camellia Show & Sale

February 2024

Shop from over one hundred camellia selections for your garden or take a look through the exhibit of award-winning camellias grown by the Baton Rouge Camellia Society and by gardeners like you! Many of these camellias have been meticulously propagated from the expansive camellia collections at the Botanic Gardens. The Camellia Society will also offer planting and management advice, a grafting demonstration and a waxing demonstration.  

 

people buying herbs at the sale

Herb Day

February 2024

Herb Day is the perfect place to start an herb garden or refresh one you've already established! At Herb Day you'll find thousands of healthy herbs and All America Selections vegetable plants as well as local vendors selling their wares and food trucks selling delicious fare. Herb Day will also feature an herbal tea room for you to find your perfect blend and educational sessions on native medicinal plants, herbal container gardens and a historical and social overview of herbs. 

Herb Day is an educational outdoor gardening event and plant sale hosted by the Baton Rouge Unit of the Herb Society of America. 

plants at the sale

Master Gardener Plant Sale

March 2024

Join us for the biggest plant sale of the year! Shop from thousands of locally-grown perennials and annuals specifically selected by the East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners for success in your garden. The EBR Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale raises money to support the educational activities provided by Master Gardeners and the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.

large group of people gathered causally in garden setting

Gourmet in the Garden

April 2024

Gourmet in the Garden is a foodie's dream!

Bring your food-loving friends to savor dishes and cocktails from your favorite Baton Rouge chefs and mixologists. After you've tried them all, vote for your favorite in the People's Choice Awards!

All food and drink is included in the cost of the ticket. 

All proceeds from this event go towards education programs at the Botanic Gardens and the Louisiana Culinary Institute Foundation.

field of pink pollinator flowers

Go Public Gardens Days!

May 2024

Join the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens and the American Public Gardens Association along with over 500 public gardens across America in celebrating Go Public Gardens Days. 

Go Public Gardens is an ongoing, evergreen initiative of the American Public Gardens Association meant to drive the public to visit, value, and volunteer at public gardens in their area and when they travel.