Celebrate Halloween in New Orleans
When it comes to Halloween, New Orleans knows how to celebrate. From walking tours that explore the city’s macabre history to zombie roller girls, October brings festive events and activities for ghouls and goblins of all stripes. Here are our choices for the best Big Easy Halloween events.
Halloween New Orleans – Project Lazarus
The story of Halloween New Orleans is a story of the New Orleans gay community—a community coming together to share their love and sense of family, a community celebrating its unique culture and love of showmanship, a community coming to the aid of its own in the dark days of the AIDS crisis, and a community triumphing over challenges with a resilient, joyful spirit.
For 33 years, Halloween New Orleans has been raising money for Project Lazarus, an assisted-living home for those with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. We’re run by an all-volunteer staff, and all the money we raise each year goes directly to Lazarus.
If you’re a big kid, and you like to dress up for Halloween, there is no other place to be than New Orleans! This year’s festivities are happening on two different weekends. Our black tie event is on August 11th (the Lazarus Ball), and our big costume weekend is October 21–22, 2017 from 10:00 p.m.–3 a.m. at the House of Blues at 225 Decauter St. right here in New Orleans.
Krewe of Boo
Christine Miller, Head Chick in Charge at Two Chicks will be marching with the Pussyfooters in this year’s amazing downtown parade. Often touted as the biggest annual Halloween event in New Orleans, this incredible parade takes place on October 21 and proceeds from the French Quarter to the Convention Center. In addition to elaborately costumed revelers galore, you’ll witness papier-mâché and fiberglass floats and creations that depict all of the season’s scariest creatures.
First-Ever Zombie Run in New Orleans
Looking to be part of a scary event in addition to watching the parade? The Krewe of Boo is hosting the inaugural New Orleans Zombie Run at 9 a.m. on October 21. Participants should come dressed as a Zombie or their favorite monster. The Big Easy Rollergirls will be Zombie Killers. The 2-mile race starts at Generations Hall in the Warehouse District and ends on Frenchmen Street. Runners can stay and enjoy the Frenchmen Festival, which is free and open to the public
Cemetery Walking Tours
On Saturday, October 28, we’re offering St. Louis Cemetery tours every half hour. Check out our schedule online. Our cemetery walking tours are extremely popular this time of year. All Saints’ Day celebrations, held on November 1, are another cultural phenomena here. We incorporate customs and the history of this Catholic holy day into our walking tours.
Our Dead Sexy tour explores the city’s oldest above-ground cemetery featuring the final resting place of Marie Laveau, a legendary Creole voodoo practitioner. A fun factoid: Angela Bassett portrayed a fictionalized version of this self-proclaimed voodoo queen on the show American Horror Story. The two-hour Dead Sexy tour is now offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Friday–Saturday and Sunday. Ghost tours designed especially for cynics are held every night at 6 p.m. through October.
Boo at the Zoo
For family-friendly fun, check out the Audubon Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo event. Dress your little monsters in costume for a day of celebration that includes trick-or-treating, spooky entertainment, fun rides, food, a haunted house, and of course, visiting with the zoo’s animal residents. Boo at the Zoo is held for two weekends, October 21–22 and October 27–28.
Mac n’ Cheese Fest
Indulge in one of America’s favorite comfort foods at the inaugural Mac n’ Cheese Fest. Local and celebrity judges will vote on the best macaroni and cheese dish while a full band lineup plays live music from 11 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Beer, cocktails, and other beverages will be sold as well. This will definitely be a delicious treat!
If you’re lucky enough to visit New Orleans this October, let Two Chicks Walking Tours help you have a Halloween to remember. From cemetery tours to private, customized group tours, we would love to show you the Big Easy’s many tricks and treats. Visit us online or give us a call to book your tour today.