Halloween in New Orleans is the kind of night when you may encounter a vampire, a zombie, or a pirate. When it comes to creating inventive and outrageous costumes, people are New Orleans are sinisterly brilliant. No other city in the world celebrates Halloween like they do.
There’s something for everyone in New Orleans on and around All Hallows’ Eve, from the youngest trick-or-treaters to the biggest party goers. Here’s a look at Halloween in New Orleans 2023: Events, Parades. Activities.
Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade
Krewe of BOO! is New Orleans’ Official Halloween Parade and since then has grown to be a spooktacular weekend of Halloween-themed events, combining the magnitude of Mardi Gras with the macabre theatrics of All Hallow’s Eve.
This year’s Halloween parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade begins at Elysian Fields in the Marigny and progress through the French Quarter, passing through N. Peters and Decatur Streets, to Jackson Square and then towards the Warehouse District, all the way up to the Convention Center.
Parade riders will throw various items to onlookers as they pass by, much to the delight of both children and adults. Parade throws will include candy, chee wees, pralinettes, light-up medallion beads, voodoo doll pins and magnets, doubloons, and children’s toys.
Krewe of Boo throws are all collectable or consumable, which cuts back on waste. This year’s sponsors include Pat O’Brien’s, Mardi Gras World, Haunted History Tours, and more.
LGBTQ Halloween New Orleans
Halloween New Orleans is back for the 40th year, taking you on a wild journey to a magical world of adventure.
The witches and the queens and the ghosts and the goblins come out for Halloween New Orleans for a series of fundraising events Halloween weekend, including the Lazarus Ball, a dance night, flamboyant costume ball and parade.
This weekend of fun was started as a dinner party given by a few people to honor friends and loved ones who died from AIDS. The four-day event now includes the famous Lazarus Ball on Friday night, which is a fancy fundraising event for Lazarus House with food, open bar, music and a silent auction.
Saturday night is dance night with a costume contest, DJ and dancing all night long. Stay tuned for this year’s venue and more information. Past venues have included the Contemporary Arts Center and the Fillmore.
Sunday closes the weekend with an outdoor event on the Mississippi River and a second line. Enjoy more live music and parade through the French Quarter.
All of the proceeds from Halloween New Orleans benefit the Lazarus Project, a home in New Orleans for men and women living with AIDS. Halloween New Orleans has raised over $4.6 million for the project.
Boo at the Zoo
The Audubon Zoo is turned into a Halloween paradise for three nights during Boo at the Zoo from Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22!
This daytime celebration will provide fun for the whole family, and some of your favorite Audubon Zoo animals, too – ensuring your experience is full of spooktacular memories! To add to the excitement, guests are invited to dress in their Halloween best! Don’t forget to wear your favorite costume as you partake in the festivities!
Some of the activities include:
- Animal experiences
- Hauntingly festive décor along the mysterious paths of Audubon Zoo
- Extinct Species Graveyard where you can pay your respects to species that are no longer with us and learn how to prevent extinctions from happening in the future
- Festive and seasonal treats
- Themed photo opportunities
- Air tattoos
- Halloween crafts
- Halloween costumes are encouraged for all guests
Non-members $38 (children and adults). Members are $10 for adults and children.
Boo Carre Halloween Haunt
The French Market District is hosting the annual Boo Carre Halloween Haunt in Dutch Alley on Saturday, October 21.
The one-day kid-centric event encourages costumes for all ages and will feature live music, children’s activities, a spooktacular Spooky Second Line, and trick-or-treating. Children wearing a costume are eligible to receive a free Boo Carre tote bag for trick-or-treating in the French Market District. One bag per child, while supplies last. This event is free and open to the public.
Your event experience will begin in Dutch Alley, in the 900 block of N. Peters Street, where our Trick-or-Treat (TOT) bag distribution will take place alongside our music stage and kid’s activities.
Schedule of Events
- 10 am Charmaine Neville Duo
- 11:15 am Johnette Downing
- 12:30 pm Bamzy Baby Productions
- 1:45 pm Spooky Second Line with All for One Brass Band
- 3:00 pm New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Arrowhead Jazz Band with special guests
Ghosts in the Oaks 2023
Ghosts in the Oaks, October 19-22, features trick-or-treating, arts & crafts, a pumpkin patch, and hot-dog roasting around the campfire.
- 5 PM – 6 PM Early Admission | 6 PM – 9 PM General Admission
- Early Admission – $30 | General Admission – $25 | Friends of City Park Members – $22
- Children under 36 inches are admitted free of charge
Restaurant Offerings
This Halloween season, The Bower – located in the Lower Garden District, is brewing a cauldron of Halloween excitement with two wickedly fun events you won’t want to miss!
Bring your furry friends and enjoy Yappy Hour at The Bower. From 4:30PM – 6:30PM on Thursday, October 26th, guests can sip and savor $5 cocktails, $6 glasses of wine, and an array of discounted small plates on the patio, such as the Cacio e Pepe with tagliatelle, pink and green peppercorns, and Parmesan Vecchio; Charcuterie Plate – chef’s selection of two meats; Whipped Feta, Truffle Bread, and more. There will also be treats and dog bowls for your pup so they won’t miss out on the fun. Visitors and their four-legged friends are encouraged to come dressed in their best Halloween costumes to win a special prize for the pup with the most creative costume.
Prepare to be spellbound with an enchanting Witches Luncheon on Friday, October 27th from 11AM – 1PM. Executive Chef Marcus Woodham has prepared a bewitching three-course lunch menu for the occasion. Priced at $48 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Spooky specialty cocktails will be offered along with a full bar. Don’t forget to dress your best to win a prize for the table with the best Halloween costume!
Haunted Houses
The Mortuary Haunted Mansion is an icon of old New Orleans at the very dead end of world famous Canal Street. Less than 3 miles from the French Quarter on the cemetery streetcar line, this magnificent mansion was originally built in 1872 and operated for about 80 years as an actual mortuary. General admission prices start at $25.
The Haunted House of Horrors is a creepy, scary multi-scene haunted house open on October 31 from 6 pm – 9 pm. It is a family friendly, fun, and safe environment.
Halloween Neighbourhood Decor
In pretty much every NOLA area, you’ll see homes decorated in a festive (and spooky) manner.
The Skeleton House (6000 St. Charles Ave.) is a perennial favorite for its spooky decor.
The Ghost Manor on Magazine Street (2502 Magazine St.) goes all out with a haunting electronic light display.
Due to its appearance on the popular FX series American Horror Story, The Buckner Mansion (1410 Jackson Ave.) is another popular Halloween destination. Dress up to take some pictures in front of its gates.
To view the magnificent St. Charles Avenue houses with beautiful decorations, be sure to stroll through the Garden District and Uptown.
Frightening Attractions
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and the Museum of Death are two Halloween-appropriate activities that will undoubtedly give you the chills.
In the French Quarter, there is the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, a historic apothecary showcasing superstitious cures and early 19th century medicine.
The Museum of Death exhibits various gory exhibits, including corpse bags, a collection of skulls, information on the history cannibalism, crime scenes, and more.
Haunted Tours
Start your Halloween adventure in NOLA with one of the numerous ghost tours of the French Quarter or another eerie part of town.
New Orleans has world-famous cemeteries, where the dearly departed are interred in aboveground tombs.
New Orleans is a city rich in haunted history with hundreds of stories of how the spirits reveal their presence – some of which have been recorded and visually captured.
New Orleans Ghosts, Haunted History Tours and Unique NOLA Tours are some of the companies offering haunted tours.
Voodoo Shops
There are a number of Voodoo stores in the French Quarter that you may visit to learn more about the history of these centuries-old spiritual rituals. The spirit of Marie Laveau, the High Priestess of 19th century New Orleans, may still be felt in some of these stores. You could even pick up a few spells and incantations.
Believe it or not, there are stores that cater particularly to vampires. Some of these stores will be doing special Halloween activities, so be sure to stop by and join in the fun.
Reverend Zombie’s House Of Voodoo, Voodoo Authentica and Marie Laveau’s House Of Voodoo are some of the most popular voodoo shops in New Orleans.
Costume Shops
If you don’t have a costume for Halloween, one of the city’s numerous costume stores will be pleased to outfit you for the event. You can get anything from cat ears, bat wings, and vampire fangs to the most outrageous ensembles you’ve ever seen, including feather boas, rainbow wigs, and masks for those who want to go all out.
Fifi Mahony’s, Dark Garden Corsetry, and Boutique du Vampyre are some popular places to check out.
And, after you’re dressed up, you may be able to locate an open party or bar that’s really getting into the Halloween spirit.
On Halloween night, many pubs, stores, and restaurants encourage customers in costume and the celebration doesn’t end at midnight. It lasts until the dawn over the neighboring Mississippi River in several areas.
Gris-Gris Halloween Party
Gris-Gris will be transformed into an otherworldly space for an evening of hauntingly good vibes…
The Gris-Gris Halloween Party is a ticketed event that includes all the tricks and treats for the night. Be sure to come dressed in your best Halloween costume as guests will automatically be entered into our costume contest. The winner will receive a gift basket from Gris-Gris x Jameson, filled with goodies that will make your Halloween even sweeter. Costumes are required!
Don’t miss out on this spooktacular event! RSVP now to secure your spot and join us for an evening of frightful fun. Our team has put together a lineup of entertainment, including a pumpkin carving contest crafted by our talented employees, tarot card readings, and specialty concoctions by Jameson that will keep you dancing and sipping all night long. A full cash bar will also be available.
So grab your friends and get ready to celebrate Halloween Gris-Gris style! Saturday, October 28, 2023 7:00 PM.
** Doors Open at 7:00PM. **