Haunted Happenings: A Guide to October Fun in New Orleans

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Floats at Mardi Gras World

When you hear “New Orleans” most think of Mardi Gras. But if you’re into Halloween, vampires, zombies, ghouls, and goblins, a trip to New Orleans in October is just for you! In fact, Halloween is the second busiest holiday in the Crescent City and is voted in the top 13 places to celebrate Halloween in the world.

Our daughter spent four years in college in NOLA (New Orleans, LA) so we had plenty of opportunities to dig deep into what the city offers. Visitors should definitely include fabulous Cajun and Creole cuisine, phenomenal jazz stops, and a trip to the iconic French Quarter. But to make the most of your Halloween holiday, here are some thrilling additions to jazz up your itinerary.


Cemetery Tours

St Louis Cemetery No 1 Tour

For a hauntingly fascinating experience, head to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 near the French Quarter. This 45-minute guided tour will take you through the city's famous above-ground crypts and introduce you to New Orleans' unique burial traditions. Tours run throughout the day, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other cemeteries to explore if you’re looking for more popular options.


Ghost Tours


Known as one of the most haunted cities in the United States, New Orleans offers a range of ghost tours filled with spine-chilling tales of plague, fires, voodoo, murderers, gangsters, and haunted convents. These walking tours through the French Quarter are brought to life by charismatic guides, and with so many themes to choose from, there’s something for every ghost-hunting enthusiast. Consider booking an evening tour for maximum chills — it adds a whole new layer of fright.


FYI: It’s legal to walk around with an alcoholic beverage in New Orleans if you’d like to enjoy your favorite drinks on the tour.

Halloween Parade

Krewe of Boo
No Halloween visit to New Orleans would be complete without experiencing the Krewe of Boo parade. The streets of the French Quarter come alive with wild music, elaborately themed floats, and energetic second-line parades. Parade participants shower the crowd with trinkets, candy, and all sorts of Halloween-themed treats. The parade takes place this year on October 19 in the evening and is a fantastic, family-friendly event for all ages.


Ghoulish Bars and Haunts 


The Dungeon was established in 1969 and prides itself as a rock bar with a speakeasy-ish, eerie vibe located down a creepy alley in the French Quarter. No phones allowed.


If you prefer to drink your wine from blood bags, head over to The Vampire Cafe for a bite. Try the Seance Lounge at Muriel’s and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar named after the famous pirate Jean Lafitte for more spooky fun.


Make sure to check out the haunted LaLaurie Mansion and stop by the Voodoo Museum where the deep roots of voodoo culture in New Orleans come together in one place to explain the secrets, history, folklores of rituals, zombies, and Voodoo Queens. 


You have plenty of choices if you see what I mean!


Frenchman Street


Close to the French Quarter lies a 3-block-long stretch of great music clubs, Louisiana cooking, a weekend art market, and eccentric bars. This is my new favorite area of New Orleans – it’s a lot of fun and not as crazy as the Quarter. There are plenty of costume revelers and Halloween celebrations here throughout October.


Garden District’s Halloween Decorations 

St Charles Mansion in October

While the French Quarter is the heart of the city, the Garden District comes alive with Halloween spirit, too. Residents of this historic neighborhood go all out with elaborate Halloween decorations, creating a whimsical (and sometimes chilling) atmosphere. In fact, the famous author, Anne Rice, who wrote The Vampire Chronicles, used to live here.


Wander through the tree-lined streets and marvel at the gothic mansions draped in cobwebs, skeletons, and jack-o'-lanterns. It's a more laid-back, but no less spooky, way to enjoy Halloween in New Orleans.


Finally…


New Orleans is already one of the most unique and magical cities, but when Halloween comes around, it takes on a whole new level of mystique. Whether dancing in the streets, exploring haunted histories, or simply soaking in the autumn ambiance, Halloween in New Orleans is an experience like no other.


Get in touch if you'd like help creating this standout adventure!


Location: New Orleans, LA, USA

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