Before Baton Rouge can ignite with the bright, illuminating colors of Christmas, one event seeks to cut the inaugural ribbon for the local holiday season.

The 15th annual White Light Night, a traditional gathering at the businesses on Government Street, is one of two art hops presented by the Mid City Merchants each year.

Hosted consistently on the Friday before Thanksgiving, the Nov. 16 event will feature 51 white-Christmas-light-adorned shops and stores in the Mid City area. Five shuttles will transport attendees to the different locations throughout the evening.

The merchants range from Sally’s Circa 1857 to Ragusa’s Automotive to Piggly Wiggly, each filled with local art and many of the artists themselves, who will be available for meet and greet and discussion of the work on display.

Live music will also be offered at 22 locations, and seven restaurants will open their doors to serve the masses. Many more will provide free refreshments.

When White Light Night first began, it included eight businesses and saw a couple hundred locals in attendance.

But Liz Walker, Arts District Chairman for the Mid City Merchants, said an estimated 15,000 people will be in attendance this year, a number that grows with every event.

Walker also owns Elizabethan Gallery on Jefferson Highway. She said her business sees about 2,000 people come through during the four-hour period, and many return the next day.

“The whole idea is to bring people into Mid City so they can see what they have to offer,” Walker said. “We have maybe eight new businesses to the area that use this as open house and introduction to the public. It really serves as an introduction or reintroduction if people might have seen a business many years ago.”

Having chaired White Light Night for nearly 15 years, Walker said it takes about six months to plan. However, she said the night has become such a staple event in Baton Rouge that it nearly runs itself.

Walker emphasized the economic impact the single night has on the city, bringing people in from all over the state and beyond.

Brian Edwards, general manager for Bistro Byronz on Government Street, said the restaurant has participated in the night as long as he’s been employed there — at least four years.

He said the restaurant has seen as much as a 50 percent increase in customers on White Light Night, and this year there will be local musicians and artists set up in the café area outside.

“This is one of the things we can hang our hat on,” he said. “We can say ‘Yes, here’s something worth traveling for.’”

Sally’s Circa 1857 on Government Street, a store full of antiques and original art, becomes a hub of activity as the courtyard and nearby shops fill with patrons.

Manager Christopher Polk said the store gets at least 2,000 to 3,000 people circulating.

Polk plays in Speak Easy, a seven-piece band that will be performing original and cover music at Circa. He said Yvette Marie’s Café will serve free food and 15-foot sculptures by featured artist Joseph Jilbert will be present.

“It’s definitely a big haven for those who look for that unique eclectic area,” Polk said. “When people come here, they always want to find that art scene, that live, happening music scene. This has brought a lot of attention to art in this area.”

Walker said attendees would have to put on a Superman cape to make it to all of the businesses in one night, with crowds gathering to get in and out, though she stressed the walkability and security of the night. She said police will be helping people to cross Government Street.

She said the biggest changes people will notice from year to year are the different trends emerging in the art world, illustrating the latest in everything from painting to interior design.

“If you’re new to the city, new students or people coming to Baton Rouge for the first time, this is very eye-opening,” she said. “There is fun stuff to do in Baton Rouge.”

• Where: Mid City Art and Design District
• When: Friday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cost: Free refreshments and shuttles available