Never made it here for Mardi Gras, but still have that desire to make it, but can’t for whatever reason? Do you love Halloween and New Orleans? Does your schedule permits you to travel during Halloween season and want that Mardi Gras feel? Would you like to save more than what you would spend traveling here during the Mardi Gras season?? If the answers are, Yes, Yes, Yes, I highly suggest that you come on down to New Orleans and celebrate a Nola Halloween with us!
“Halloween, is second only to Mardi Gras for wild and crazy, dressing-up-in-costume kind of fun and it isn’t just for kids, either. Adults get to join the fun and craziness as well. In fact, there are a few events that are much more fun for the grown-ups than for the little ones!”
You won’t regret it, plus you will have the all time tourist & local fave souvenir, beads and a not so sweet, but oh so fun story to tell your people when you return home.
I would say bring a costume or two, create a Halloween character or let that one out you have been hiding….
The New Orleans Seafood Festival is that weekend as well..
BY SHARON KEATING
Updated 05/12/17
Bourbon Street is always wild, from the weekend before, and through Halloween, it’s wild even by Bourbon Street standards. Wear your favorite costume and come down to see the sights. But, Bourbon Street isn’t the only street in New Orleans that’s a lot of fun on Halloween. Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, with its’ live music halls and restaurants and bars, is also a place to be, especially if you’re in costume.
Special Halloween Events
Molly’s at the Market Halloween Parade: New Orleans Halloween night there’s an annual walking parade that begins at Molly’s at the Market and winds its way through the French Quarter. It’s free, it’s open to the public and it’s a whole lot of fun! There are a few small floats featuring Halloween “royalty” but mostly it’s average, ordinary people out for a good time and a chance to show off the creativity of their macabre sense of humor. The parade assembles in the early evening, right around dusk, and usually sets out at nightfall. Check Molly’s website for details.
The Voodoo Music Experience takes place in New Orleans on Halloween weekend in City Park and lasts for three days. There several main stages for music, and two or three other tents or stages for more music. The festival grounds are an area in City Park adjacent to the New Orleans Museum of Art. It contains three sections: “Le Ritual,” with its two main stages featuring world-renowned artists; “Flambeau,” dedicated to celebrating the New Orleans music culture features the Preservation Hall tent and the WWOZ stage, with the best local and international acts; and “Le Carnival,” celebrating New Orleans’ underground arts and culture. There’s also the Bingo! Parlor.
Boo at the Zoo: For the kids, there’s fun at the Audubon Zoo. In October the zoo holds its annual Halloween extravaganza. There’s games, a haunted house, the ghost train, and of course trick or treating. Get all the details at the official website.
Crawloween at the Insectarium This is great fun for the whole family.
The French Market There’s always trick or treating, music and fun for families the weekend before Halloween.
Spooky Saturday and the Museum Mash at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. The Louisiana Children’s museum always has a great program for kids and families at Halloween.
Halloween 28, The Gay Halloween: This is a fun weekend for a great cause. It benefits Project Lazarus. giving help to those suffering from AIDS. There’s a great schedule of events planned for this year. Get the details.
The official New Orleans Halloween parade The KREWE OF BOO! rolls through the French Quarter on Saturday October 21st.
HNO Second Line: This event is often marked as people’s favorite part of the weekend. Walking in a second line is a uniquely New Orleans experience and meandering through the streets of the French Quarter is like nothing else. Crowds will form along the street to greet us as we pass, throw beads and spread the HNO love.
The second line will leave from Crescent Park at the end of the Tea Dance and make its way to the Corner of St. Ann and Bourbon streets. If you’ve done this with us before, this year’s walk will be a bit different because we’ll be coming from Crescent Park. Will be fun to see some different parts of the Quarter as we make our way along the route.
Hermann-Grima House Mourning Tour: The Hermann-Grima House located at 820 St. Louis Street in the French Quarter is fun to visit any time of the year to see how the Creoles lived in early New Orleans. But from mid-October through mid-November, the historic home will be draped in black and the parlor will be set as it would have been for the funeral of one of its earliest residents. For more information go to the official website.
Ghosts in the Oaks: Ghosts in the Oaks is a fundraiser for New Orleans City Park which was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The event is in October in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and includes food and music. For more information, go to the Friends of City Park Website.
The Vampire Ball: This annual event hosted by the Vampire Lestat Fanclub is always a fun event that encourages very creative costumes. Check the official website for more details.
Ghostly Galavant: The Louisiana State Museum Friends of the Cabildo will lead a tour through the French Quarter in October. Bring the kids to this one. It’s more fun than scary. Tickets can be purchased at the 1850 House Museum Store at 523 Rue St. Ann in Jackson Square. They can also be purchased online.
Is there a better time than Halloween Weekend to try out one or more of the Haunted Bars in New Orleans?
Haunted Hotels
While you’re making your plans for Halloween Weekend, why not stay at a Haunted Hotel?
Great New Orleans Ghost Stories
New Orleans is probably the most haunted city in America. What better time than Halloween to hear some of the best stories.
Dat NOLA Chic 