There are few places that do Halloween quite like New Orleans. With centuries-old architecture, legendary ghost stories, elaborate costumes and a city that knows how to throw a celebration, the Crescent City feels made for spooky season.
In 2026, Halloween falls on a Saturday, making it an especially good year to turn the celebration into a New Orleans getaway. And you don’t have to wait until October 31—the city’s calendar is filled with spirited events throughout the month, from haunted experiences and family-friendly festivities to one of New Orleans’ most anticipated parades of the season.
Krewe of BOO! Parade Takes Over the Streets
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Mardi Gras meets Halloween when Krewe of BOO!, New Orleans’ official Halloween parade, rolls through the city on Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m.
The three-mile route travels from the Marigny through the French Quarter and into the Warehouse District, bringing larger-than-life Halloween floats, marching bands, dance troupes, walking krewes and more than a thousand participants to the streets. Costumes are encouraged, and spectators can expect plenty of candy, beads, toys and Halloween-themed throws along the way. Best of all, the parade is free and open to the public.
The celebration extends beyond the parade itself. Krewe of BOO! weekend includes a Jazz Second Line through the French Quarter on Friday, October 23, followed by Saturday morning’s New Orleans Zombie Run and the post-parade Monster Mash, where costumes, live entertainment and dancing keep the party going into the night.
Halloween New Orleans
October 30–November 1, 2026
New Orleans takes dressing up seriously, and Halloween New Orleans (HNO) has been part of the city’s Halloween tradition for more than four decades. The LGBTQ Halloween celebration is known for spectacular costumes, parties, dancing and events centered around the French Quarter, all while benefiting Project Lazarus. The 2026 festivities begin Friday, October 30 and run through November 1.
Whether you attend one of the organized events or simply head into the French Quarter on Halloween night, expect to see the neighborhood transformed by imaginative costumes and revelers celebrating well into the evening.
The Haunted Side of New Orleans
You don’t need a parade or party to find a little Halloween spirit here. New Orleans’ mysterious past is woven throughout the city, making October an ideal time to explore its haunted history.
Take a ghost tour through the French Quarter, hear tales of infamous residents and unexplained happenings, or experience historic places after dark. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 will be open on select dates for after-dark historical tours, where lantern-lit walks introduce the stories and cultural traditions surrounding one of the city’s most famous cemeteries.
Family Fun
Around town, the Halloween calendar also includes seasonal events for the family such as Ghosts in the Oaks October 15-19 and Boo at the Zoo October 16-18. Both events feature trick-or-treat, amusement rides, and activities suited for younger childen.
The older members of the family can indulge in Beyond the Veil, an adults-only variety hour, on October 27, and Dracula by New Orleans Ballet Theatre with performances October 29-31.
Halloween Movie Trivia at The Rubenstein Hotel
Gather your bravest friends and creep over to The Madison Shop Bar inside The Rubenstein Hotel for a wickedly fun night of Halloween movie trivia with Muffy Vanderbilt III. Face four fright-filled rounds featuring five Halloween favorites, all while sipping cocktails, playing games, winning prizes, and uncovering a few tricks and treats along the way. Get your tickets here.
Halloween Costume Contest at May Baily's Place
Halloween night is taking over May Baily’s Place with a Costume Contest. Show off your most killer costume while a live DJ keeps the party going, sip spooky Halloween cocktails, score giveaways, and compete for the ultimate bragging rights. At the end of the night, one frightfully fabulous winner will take home the Grand Prize.
Make It a Haunted Night in New Orleans
After experiencing the city’s parades, costumes and haunted history, keep the spirit going with a stay with The J Collection.
The Haunted Nights in New Orleans Package, offered at all J Collection hotels, turns an overnight stay into a deeper dive into the stories and spirits of the Crescent City.
Your stay includes:
- Two tickets to a New Orleans haunted history tour, including a stop at historic May Baily’s Place
- Two digital drink vouchers per room to redeem at participating J Collection outlets
- The J Collection postcards to take a little piece of New Orleans home
- Late checkout, subject to availability
The J Collection puts you close to the action while offering a historic home base for your Halloween adventure.
Your Halloween Story Starts Here
Come for Krewe of BOO!, stay for the ghost stories, costumes, cocktails and after-dark adventures. Whether you prefer your Halloween playful, mysterious or just a little haunted, New Orleans gives you plenty of ways to celebrate.
With Haunted Nights in New Orleans, The J Collection invites you to do more than visit one of America’s most spirited cities—stay right in the middle of its story.