Halloween in New Orleans: Events, Parades & Things to Do in October 2026
Halloween celebrations in New Orleans take over the city for much of the month. From elaborate costumes and parades to live music, ghost tours, festivals, and late-night parties, there are plenty of ways to celebrate spooky season long before Halloween night.
If you’re planning a Halloween trip to New Orleans, October is a great time to experience the city — and staying in the French Quarter puts you close to many of the events, restaurants, bars, and nightlife that make the season so much fun.
Halloween in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is one of the best places to experience Halloween in New Orleans, especially if you want to be close to the action without spending your trip driving from one event to another.
Throughout October, you’ll find people dressed up, live music coming from neighborhood bars, Halloween-themed events, and plenty of activity around Bourbon Street and the surrounding Quarter.
And when the streets get busy, being able to walk back to your hotel makes a difference.
Stay with French Quarter Guest Houses and you’ll be within walking distance of the Quarter’s restaurants, nightlife, and many of the season’s biggest events.
Halloween Events in New Orleans
One of the best things about Halloween in New Orleans is that the season includes much more than Halloween night.
Krewe of Boo
Krewe of Boo is New Orleans’ signature Halloween parade, bringing elaborate floats, oversized Halloween creatures, costumes, and plenty of candy to the streets.
The parade features large-scale creations from Kern Studios, giving it the over-the-top look you’d expect from a New Orleans parade — with a spooky twist.
If you’re planning a New Orleans Halloween weekend, check the current parade schedule and add Krewe of Boo to your itinerary.
Oktoberfest
Expect classic Oktoberfest favorites like bratwurst, sauerkraut, giant Bavarian pretzels, and German beers, along with live music and the chance to experience a completely different side of New Orleans.
Held at Deutsches Haus, Oktoberfest has become an annual fall tradition in the city. You can grab a beer, dig into some German food, listen to live music, and spend an afternoon or evening celebrating with friends.
Halloween Parties & Live Music
New Orleans doesn’t really need an excuse for a party, but Halloween gives everyone a reason to dress up.
Throughout October, you’ll find costume parties, live music, themed events, and late-night celebrations happening throughout the city.
Whether you want to go all out with your costume or simply grab a drink and listen to some music, there are plenty of ways to spend a Halloween night in New Orleans.
More Things to Do in New Orleans for Halloween
You can easily fill a Halloween weekend in New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter, take a ghost or history tour, listen to live music, check out a Halloween parade, dress up for a costume party, explore the city’s nightlife, or grab dinner and drinks at a French Quarter restaurant before wandering the Quarter after dark. New Orleans already has a fascinating history, so Halloween is a particularly fun time to experience the city’s stories, legends, and historic neighborhoods once the sun goes down.
Plan Your Halloween Trip to New Orleans
If you’re planning a Halloween trip to New Orleans, staying in the French Quarter puts you close to the action. You’ll be within walking distance of restaurants, bars, live music, nightlife, ghost tours, and many of the events happening throughout October. And when the night winds down, you don’t have to worry about finding a ride or navigating crowded streets — your room is nearby.
French Quarter Guest Houses offers several historic properties throughout the French Quarter, giving you a convenient home base for exploring New Orleans during spooky season. Spend your days exploring the city, your evenings enjoying Halloween events and nightlife, and your nights just steps from your room.
Halloween in New Orleans isn’t limited to October 31, so there’s no reason to wait until the last minute to start planning. Check the current event calendars, make your reservations, pick your costume, and book your stay in the heart of the French Quarter.