After last year’s fairly quiet Halloween, several spooky activities pop up this Halloween season.
From trunk-or-treats to Halloween-themed parties, here are some local events happening during Halloween week.
Do you know about other Halloween events in the greater New Orleans area? Let us know about them here. Check back for updates as we get them.
The Mortuary Haunted Mansion
Oct. 26-31, Nov. 6, Nov. 12
The fact that The Mortuary Haunted Mansion sits next to a cemetery and was once a funeral home is already scary enough. This year, the popular Mid-City haunted house explores a new theme called “Inferno,” with the website describing the plot as “a supernatural event leading to the two men’s disappearance over New Orleans.” It appears that a giant portal has opened revealing a fiery world filled with creatures out of nightmares, and they are all descending on The Mortuary Haunted Mansion. For Halloween week, the attraction opens Oct. 26-31. It also opens on Nov. 6 and Nov. 12. Visit The Mortuary’s website for tickets and more information.
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New Orleans Nightmare
Oct. 25-31, Nov. 5-6
Boogeymen, clowns and witches take over New Orleans Nightmare for its fourth year in Jefferson Parish near the Huey P. Long Bridge. For 2021, the haunt will open with three new attractions to freak out horror fans in 2021: The Boogeyman, Operation: Laughing Place and the Spirit of Halloween. For Halloween week, the attraction opens Oct. 25-31. It also opens Nov. 5-6. Visit the New Orleans Nightmare website for tickets and more information.
More horrifying haunted houses
Various dates
In addition to The Mortuary and New Orleans Nightmare, thrill-seekers can also visit other haunted houses right outside of the New Orleans area.
RISE Haunted House is known for its multiple terrifying attractions in Tickfaw, Louisiana, near Hammond. The site also features a Haunted Hayride and Risewell Asylum. This week, the attraction opens Oct. 29-31. It also opens Nov. 5, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13. Visit the website for more information.
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Ranch of Horror returns with thrilling, zombie-themed experiences taking over The Party Barn in Hammond. This year, Ranch of Horror unleashes two premium paintball attractions: Zombie Escape and Contagion. Guests can call to book specific times at 985-687-3899 before purchasing through the online ticket portal.
See the complete list of horrifying haunted houses to visit this season here.
Day of the Dead at Evenings with Enrique
Oct. 27-31
Casa Borrega’s Hugo Montero builds a Day of the Dead altar at the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park. On Wednesday, Oct. 27, there’s music by Gauchos del Tango and Manuel Arteaga. The altar will be on display in the Botanical Gardens’ Conservatory through Oct. 31. For more details, visit City Park’s website.
NORD drive-thru Halloween events
Oct. 29
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) will host drive-thru Halloween celebrations from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at three locations: Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East, Behrman Park in Algiers and Lafitte Greenway in Treme.
At the drive-thru event, families can drive through the route with spooky decorations to receive trick-or-treat candy. Organizers encourage vehicle decorations and costumes. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition, these other NORD recreation centers will pass out treats for youth:
- Annunciation Rec Center 800 Race St.
- Cut-Off Rec Center 6600 Belgrade St.
- Gernon Brown Rec Center 1001 Harrison Ave.
- Joe W. Brown Rec Center 5601 Read Blvd.
- Lyons Rec Center 624 Louisiana Ave.
- Milne Rec Center 5420 Franklin Ave.
- Rosenwald Rec Center 1120 S. Broad St.
- Rosenwald Rec Center Annex 1140 S. Broad St.
- Sanchez Multi-Service Center 1616 Caffin Ave.
- Stallings St. Claude Rec Center 4300 St. Claude Ave.
- Behrman Rec Center 2529 General Meyer Ave.
- St. Bernard Rec Center 1500 Lafreniere St.
- Treme Recreation Community Center 900 N. Villere St
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Halloween Parties at Virgin Hotel
Oct. 29-31
To celebrate Halloween, the brand new Virgin Hotels New Orleans hosts a three-day extravaganza of parties at its 13th-floor bar Dreamboat. All weekend, the hotel will feature DJ sets from Khris Royal, DJ Nice Rack and Boyfriend. For more information and tickets, visit here.
Boo Bash on the Lawn
Oct. 30
On the North Shore, the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany hosts Boo Bash on the Lawn, an outdoor Halloween festival, from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 30.
The event is staged at the CMST and Koop Drive Trailhead behind the Kids Konnection playground. This community-wide event will include Ghoulish games, Spooktacular STEM, costume contest, mummified munchies and more. Tickets may be purchased on the website or at the gate, the day of the event.
Swampus Returns: Haunted Swamp Tour
Oct. 30
The Krewe of Krampus joins forces with more than a dozen other marching krewes for a drive-thru Halloween parade, of sorts, at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 30.
Swampus Returns emerges as a “safe and fun alternative for Halloween,” organizers say.
Cars will drive through a creepy horseshoe drive at the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission headquarters at 5420 Franklin Avenue, with marking crews dressed in spooky Halloween-style costumes. Visit the Eventbrite website to purchase tickets starting at $20 per car.
BOO-ree BBQ Bash
Oct. 30
Bourree hosts BOO-ree BBQ Bash, a family-friendly Halloween event, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., a kid’s party kicks off with music by Mr. Ed’s Music Box a costume contest, pumpkin crafts and more. Tickets for kids are $10 and include one pumpkin for decorating and balloons. Evening fun starts at 6 p.m. with music by Taylor and the Brudduhz, Cast Iron Cactus and a spooky adults costume contest. In addition to its full menu, Bourree will serve barbecue platters throughout the day. Bourree is also partnering with Mr. Ed’s Music Box and friends to host a Children’s Winter Coat Drive during the event, collecting new and gently used items to be donated to the Louisiana community in need. Requested items include infant/child/toddler jackets, coats, gloves, hats, socks, blankets, baby wipes and latex gloves.
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Tell It to Me Sweet: A Winding Trail of Tales
Oct. 29-Nov. 14
The NOLA Project returns with its first show since the COVID shutdowns opening Halloween weekend. The spooky show takes place in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden with scenes featuring fairy tales and folklore about wolves, ghosts, devils and witches. The show runs Oct. 29-31 and select dates in November. For more information and tickets, visit the NOLA Project website.
Big Stan’s Eyes Wide Shut Halloween Costume Bash
Oct. 29
Big Stan’s annual costume party returns to the Metropolitan nightclub on Oct. 29. Sounds provided by DJ Keith Scott, DJ Captain Charles and DJ Hollaback. The event is age 21 and older from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite.
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DJ RQ Away presents Happy Feelins Halloween Edition
Oct. 30
DJ RQ Away hosts a night of jams, drinks and new friends for New Orleans young black creatives and professionals at Ace Hotel. The event runs from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 30 in the hotel’s lobby.
Soul Sister’s Haunted B-Movie Marathon
Oct. 31
Three Keys, the performance venue at New Orleans’s Ace Hotel, hosts a free Halloween movie marathon curated by the great DJ Soul Sister, on Sunday, October 31, starting at 2 p.m. Snacks and cocktails are available for purchase. Visit the website for information about how to RSVP for free.
Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oct. 31
Not that Saints fans need any excuse to dress up in costume, but the New Orleans Saints face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Caesars Superdome for a Halloween game. Kick-off is at 3:25 p.m.
Lucy’s Halloween Block Party
Oct. 31
With the Saints playing on Halloween, Lucy’s will throw a Cirque de Slay Halloween block party. Festivities kickoff at noon, and costumes are encouraged. Lucy’s will show the Saints game on two 55″ screens outside, and a DJ will spin at a post-game party.
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Dia de Muertos Procession
Nov. 2
For the fourth year, the Krewe of Mayahuel leads a Dia de Muertos foot parade to honor the holiday on Nov. 2. Prior to the procession, a gathering starts at 5:30 p.m. The procession will follow a route starting at 1405 Marigny Street, traveling along St. Claude Avenue and ending at St. Roch Cemetery. A short cultural program by Krewe of Mayahuel and other culture bearers will follow the parade. For more information, visit the krewe’s social media page.
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