New Orleans is a town that loves an excuse to dress up and party, so it makes sense the city would fully embrace Halloween. Revelers across the city celebrate the autumnal holiday for weeks, getting wild at holiday parties, haunted houses, parades, movie screenings, and even flash mobs. If you haven't made plans yet, don't worry. Here's our list of the best things to do on Halloween in New Orleans.
Cheer on a Different Sort of Parade
In the dry spell smack dab on the calendar equidistant from this year's Mardi Gras and next year's, the Krewe of Boo puts on a fantastic Halloween parade to rival the performances of other krewes around town. The official Halloween parade of the city since 2007, the krewe marches through the French Quarter from Elysian Fields to Andrew Higgins Drive, with massive floats, skeleton bands and dance groups, riders on horseback and motorcycle, and plenty of thematic throws, all ending in an all-night party.
Attend an Entire Halloween Festival
Like a twisted theme park, Scout Island Scream Park opens a full month before Halloween, providing weekend after weekend of chills and thrills. There are a bevy of haunted houses with themes from ancient Egyptian mummies to zombie outbreaks to witch covens, as well as carnival rides, games and kid-friendly, scare-free entertainment.
1034 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
Dress Up to See The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Don't miss the screening of the iconic comic horror flick at the Prytania Theatre Uptown. Come in costume and be prepared to participate with the shadow cast who help first timers and old timers enjoy the film to its fullest. The movie shows at 10 p.m. and midnight on Halloween, but there are also screenings throughout the weekends before and after the weekday holiday.
5339 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Tour a Cemetery
New Orleans is home to some of the most famous cemeteries in the world. Great musicians, artists, and politicians fill the so-called "cities of the dead," but it's NOLA's flirtation with voodoo culture that gives their cemeteries a special mystique. There's no better time to indulge in a little history, culture and even frights than around Halloween, so pick from one of the best cemetery tour companies and book yourself a visit.
Join a "Thriller" Flash Mob
Every year, the Flashmob New Orleans dance group puts on a performance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" somewhere around town. The group even sponsors a workshop for those interested in participating. The experience, hosted by the New Orleans School of Ballet, is open to the public on Saturday afternoons. Even if you don't feel like dancing it's worth swinging by to check out the final performance on October 31.
