New Orleans at Halloween

Why New Orleans does Halloween so well

• History: Founded in 1718, the city has three centuries of fires, epidemics, duels, hurricanes and legends.
• Architecture: Creole cottages, iron balconies and candlelit courtyards look haunted without trying.
• Spiritual traditions: Catholic saints, Voodoo, Spiritualism and All Saints' Day customs coexist.
• Costume culture: Thanks to Mardi Gras, locals keep costumes ready year-round.
• Music: Brass bands, jazz clubs and street musicians provide the soundtrack.

The cities of the dead

New Orleans' cemeteries, with their rows of whitewashed tombs, are unlike any others in America. The city's high water table and its French and Spanish traditions led to above-ground burial in family tombs and wall vaults known as "ovens."

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Founded in 1789, it is the oldest existing cemetery in the city and contains the tomb believed to hold Marie Laveau, the famous 19th-century Voodoo priestess. Since 2015, visitors must enter with a licensed tour company (families of the interred excepted), after vandalism damaged tombs. Please don't mark tombs with "X"s : it's vandalism, not tradition.

Other cemeteries

• St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 and No. 3 : elaborate tombs and quieter visits.
• Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District : closed for restoration in recent years; check whether it has reopened before you go.
• Metairie Cemetery : grand monuments and some of the city's most impressive mausoleums.

Voodoo history

New Orleans Voodoo grew from West African religious traditions brought by enslaved people, blended with Catholicism and influences from Haiti. It is a living religion, not a Halloween costume, and the best way to learn is from practitioners and historians.

• Marie Laveau (1801–1881), a free woman of color, was the city's most famous Voodoo priestess and a respected community figure.
• The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum in the French Quarter introduces the religion's history and practices.
• Voodoo shops sell gris-gris bags, candles and herbs; many offer readings.

Approach Voodoo sites with respect; they are sacred to many people.

Ghost tours: choose your flavor

Dozens of companies run walking tours through the French Quarter every night. They differ a lot:

Swipe or scroll sideways to see the whole table on a small screen.

Famous haunted sites

• The LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street, associated with the horrific abuse of enslaved people discovered after an 1834 fire : one of the city's most infamous stories. It's a private home; view from the street.
• Haunted hotels : several historic French Quarter hotels promote their resident ghosts and host ghost-themed stays.
• Pirate's Alley and St. Louis Cathedral : atmospheric at night and steeped in legend.
• Old Ursuline Convent : one of the oldest buildings in the Mississippi Valley, linked to persistent "casket girls" vampire legends.

The Krewe of BOO! 2026

New Orleans' official Halloween parade brings Mardi Gras–style floats, marching bands and costumed riders to the streets.

• When: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free to watch.
• Route: Starts on Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny, runs along North Peters and Decatur past Jackson Square to Canal Street, then into the Warehouse District.

Catch throws just as you would at Mardi Gras. Arrive early for a good spot along Decatur.

Halloween night itself

On October 31 : a Saturday in 2026 : New Orleans becomes a giant street costume party:

• Frenchmen Street in the Marigny draws a creative, local-leaning crowd and great live music.
• Bourbon Street is louder and more chaotic.
• Garden District and Uptown homes go all-out with decorations; families trick-or-treat on famous blocks.
• Many bars and clubs host costume contests and themed parties.

Family-friendly options

• Boo at the Zoo-style events at the Audubon Zoo (check current dates).
• Daytime cemetery tours focused on history rather than horror.
• Trick-or-treating in Uptown and the Garden District.
• City Park and its seasonal attractions.

Practical tips

1. Book hotels early : Halloween weekend and the parade weekend are busy.
2. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven sidewalks.
3. Expect heat : late October can still be warm and humid; choose breathable costumes.
4. Use rideshares or the streetcar rather than driving in the Quarter.
5. Stay aware in crowds and keep valuables secure.
6. Bring a costume. Seriously : locals will.

Eat the season

Don't leave without beignets, a muffuletta, gumbo, and pralines. Many restaurants serve Halloween specials, and some historic dining rooms come with their own ghost stories.

Continue the journey

New Orleans pairs with Savannah, Charleston and St. Augustine for a southern ghost-town tour. See Halloween in the American South, Savannah, Georgia at Halloween and America's Best Halloween Destinations.

Frequently asked questions