Halloween on Bourbon Street:
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 it's 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 the Bingo! Parlor.
- Boo at the Zoo:
For the kids there's fun at the Audubon Zoo. On October 21-22, 28-29, 2011 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 Childrens' 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 from October 27-33, 2011. Get the details.
- 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 fund raiser for New Orleans City Park which was severely damaged in Hurricane Katrina. The event is on October 21th, from 6:00- 10 p.m. 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 on October 29 & 30. 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. The tours will leave every hour starting at 10 a.m. The last tour leaves at 3 p.m., with light refreshments included. For more information, click here.
- Haunted Bars:
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. Read these spooky stories.
