What to do in New Orleans on Halloween?

April 24, 2007 3:47 PM

BigEasyFilter: What interesting things can I get into in New Orleans on Halloween?

It's been a few years since I was in New Orleans. I had a local friend at one point, but she relocated after Katrina, so my girlfriend and I will be on our own down there the week of Halloween.

The problem is, a lot of websites for tours or special events don't seem to have been updated since Katrina, so I'm not sure what's what anymore. Plus, I just don't know my way around the city very well. Anyone have tips for things to do the week of Halloween? We're fine with walking or swamp tours, and I'm sure a trip to the Voodoo Museum will be in order, but in general we'd prefer less touristy stuff.

I know it seems early in the year for this, but I get excited about the holiday.

posted by Roman Graves to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

I would look to Frenchmen street. Halloween weekend it will be full of things to do. I recommend the Frenchmen Hotel for lodging. This Wiki has some good info on the Faubourg Mairgny, which is were you will find Frenchmen's. Of course you may like to have things planned out ahead of time, but I find , in New Orleans I have better luck just showing up and asking around at local bars and cafes , just what is going on that weekend. It works for me at least , hope this helps in some way.
posted by nola at 4:19 PM on April 24, 2007

By 'full of things to do' I mean, parades mostly, and also great live music. But they will no doubt be having a party in the quarter, but for my money the Mairgny is a little more "real" a little more local.
posted by nola at 4:22 PM on April 24, 2007

There used to be a big party at Ann Rice's house on St. Charles every year, but that was ages ago.

And the Quarter is always insane on Halloween. (Honestly, I would avoid it unless you want your Halloween to be more like Mardi Gras.)
posted by brina at 6:48 PM on April 24, 2007

Voodoo Music Festival! Oct. 27th and 28th.
posted by sublivious at 7:53 PM on April 24, 2007

Take a look @ nola.com and they list our festivities. 2 local news sites are wwltv.com and wdsu.com. I have some recommentations, send me an email and I'll give you my number.
posted by winks007 at 8:01 PM on April 24, 2007

Halloween in NO is like Mardi Gras with locals. MG is all about the tourists, but on Halloween you'll find some people in the FQ who actually live in NO. Not that the FQ is the greatest place to hang out or anything.
posted by rhizome at 8:44 PM on April 24, 2007

There's the Voodoo music fest during the day, and walking around the quarter(away from canal st., towards the other end of the quarter) and the marigny, looking at all the crazy costumes. For most of the night, Frenchmen St. will be shoulder to shoulder with some of the most amazing and elaborate costumes you've ever seen.

Here's some pictures I took last Halloween, but I'd expect the crowds to be bigger this year. I didn't start taking these pictures until well in the night when the thought occurred to me, so the content and quality is variable.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 7:15 AM on April 25, 2007