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Your ultimate Halloween travel guide to New Orleans in 2025

Halloween in New Orleans is a citywide celebration where centuries-old traditions meet modern spectacle. Expect costumed parades through the French Quarter, haunted house tours, candlelit cemetery walks, and live music echoing from historic streets. The city’s blend of voodoo lore, gothic architecture, and festive spirit makes Halloween here unlike anywhere else

What to expect in New Orleans during Halloween

People in Halloween costumes holding pumpkins in Las Vegas.
Vintage medicine bottles on display at New Orleans Pharmacy during Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Tour.
New Orleans cemetery at night with tombstones and trees.
Children in Halloween costumes holding pumpkin buckets on a sidewalk.
Steamboat Natchez cruising on the Mississippi River at sunset with New Orleans skyline.
Halloween-themed cocktails with devil horns and skull decoration.
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French Quarter parades & street parties

Costumed crowds fill Bourbon and Royal Streets, with themed floats, brass bands, and spontaneous dance parties from dusk till late.

Haunted house tours & voodoo history

Guided walks through historic mansions, voodoo temples, and infamous haunted sites, with stories of spirits and local legends.

Cemetery walks & ghost storytelling

Evening tours in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and Lafayette Cemetery, where guides share tales of the city’s most famous ghosts and voodoo queens.

Family-friendly festivals & trick-or-treating

City Park’s Ghosts in the Oaks, Audubon Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo, and neighborhood trick-or-treat routes for all ages.

Themed cruises & riverfront events

Halloween riverboat cruises on the Mississippi, with live jazz, costumes, and views of the city skyline at night.

Citywide decorations & spooky pop-ups

Balconies draped in cobwebs, pumpkin displays, pop-up bars with themed cocktails, and local shops offering seasonal treats.

Where to find the spooky sights, dazzling nights & family delights

Halloween around New Orleans

Colorful Halloween carnival float with a large bat and skulls against a blue sky.

Krewe of Boo Parade floats

Massive, hand-crafted floats roll through the French Quarter, with costumed riders tossing beads and candy to the crowd.

Child in eerie lighting on staircase at Harrowing Halloween 3, Singapore Discovery Centre haunted house.
People in Halloween costumes holding pumpkins
Tour group walking through a cemetery at night on a haunted bus tour.
Halloween yard display with glowing ghosts, skeleton, and jack-o'-lanterns surrounded by colorful lights.

Pick your event: Halloween happenings in New Orleans 2025

Event nameLocationDescription

Krewe of Boo Parade

French Quarter

The city’s signature Halloween parade with floats, costumes, and music.

Ghosts in the Oaks

City Park

Family festival with trick-or-treating, rides, and crafts under the oaks.

Boo at the Zoo

Audubon Zoo

Halloween fun for kids: treats, games, and animal encounters.

The Mortuary Haunted House

Canal Street

Multi-story haunted house with actors and effects.

Frenchmen Street Block Party

Frenchmen Street

Live music, costumes, and street dancing into the night.

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

City Park

Multi-day festival with music, art, and food.

Cemetery Ghost Tours

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Guided evening tours with ghost stories and local legends.

Guided evening tours with ghost stories and local legends.

Plan your Halloween in New Orleans

Tips for visiting Halloween in New Orleans

  • Book parade and haunted house tickets in advance; popular events sell out quickly.
  • The French Quarter and Frenchmen Street are busiest on Halloween weekend-visit early for family-friendly fun, later for nightlife.
  • Costumes are encouraged everywhere, but check dress codes for upscale venues.
  • October evenings can be humid or cool- bring layers and rain gear.
  • Use streetcars or walk in the French Quarter; driving and parking are difficult during major events.
  • Many events are family-friendly, but some haunted houses and late-night parties have age restrictions.
  • Respect local traditions and cemetery rules during tours. Stay aware of your surroundings in crowded areas, especially at night.

Frequently asked questions about spending Halloween in New Orleans

Costumes are encouraged for all ages, especially in the French Quarter and at parades. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking and dancing.