Fall is upon us! (Allegedly. These temps might say otherwise…) Never mind that it’s still hitting 90 degrees – it’s time for spooky season and other fun stuff! Check out things to do in New Orleans this October.
For the Family
October 17-20 Ghosts in the Oaks City Park Conservancy’s family friendly Halloween fundraiser features four nights of unlimited Carousel Gardens Amusement Park rides, arts & crafts, hot-dog roasting, pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating throughout Storyland.
October 18-20 Boo at the Zoo Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Boo at the Zoo benefiting Children’s Hospital New Orleans and Audubon Zoo! This safe family-fun Halloween tradition is a daytime celebration with your favorite Zoo animals.
October 19 Boo Carre Halloween Haunt The one-day kid-centric event encourages costumes for all ages and will feature live music, children’s activities, a spooktacular Spooky Second Line, and trick-or-treating. Children wearing a costume are eligible to receive a free Boo Carre tote bag for trick-or-treating in the French Market District. One bag per child, while supplies last. This event is free and open to the public.
October 19 BOO-2-U & Trunk Or Treat at Lafreniere Park The family-oriented Halloween fest day will kick-off with BOO-2-U, starting at 11:00am. and ending at 5:00 p.m. This festival is designed for children ages one to ten years old filled with many activities such as: spacewalks, face painting, pumpkin patch hunt, costume contests by age, children’s games, free carousel rides, chess and checker tournaments, military vehicles, pet adoptions and much more. Following BOO-2-U will be the 4th Annual Trunk or Treat, starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat will feature over 45 vehicles giving out free candy, a food court, carousel rides, space walks, a costume contest and a photo ally.
October 19 Halloween Fest Have a scary good time at Riverwalk Outlets’ annual Halloween Fest! Join us for face painting, photo ops with costumed characters and trick-or-treating at various vendors throughout the mall. At 6 p.m., keep the party going and second line your way to the Krewe of BOO!
October 20 + 27 Sugar Roots Farm Pumpkin Festival All are welcome back to Sugar Roots for two Pumpkin Festivals this October! Join us on the farm for a beautiful & fun Autumn day outside with good friends—people and animals alike. Pumpkin picking, pony rides, live music, and more!
October 25-27 Loop NOLA Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt Back for the 5th year, we present the annual LOOP NOLA Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt! In the past year, the waterways in City Park have been successfully treated to reduce the aquatic invasive species, and we are able to paddle once again! Families receive a map and set off to find where spooky characters have hidden their candy troves. Costumes are encouraged! All experience levels are welcome. The Treasure Hunt lasts around an hour, followed by a Fall Festival with games, activities, campfire s’mores, food, and beverages available for purchase when you return to shore.
October 26 Longue Vue House and Gardens Fall Fest Join us for a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween celebration that’s perfect for all ages. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy a day packed with exciting games, activities, and plenty trick-or-treating. Bring your friends and family for a safe, fun-filled event you won’t want to miss.
For the Grown Ups
October 4+6 Boo HaHa: A Halloween Themed Sketch Comedy Show Some of the funniest folk in New Orleans have combined humor and horror for a hilariously haunted night of live performances and videos.
October 12 Mermaids & Mayhem: Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble The Sirens of New Orleans invite you to a bewitching night of BOOtiful costumes and HEX-tremely good dance moves! Dust off your broomsticks and fly into Southport Hall for a bewitching Halloween costume party like no other.
October 18 A Very 90s Halloween! Sweet Magnolia hosts A Very 90s Halloween with a special tribute to the Spice Girls and special guests The Red Hot Gentilly Peppers! 90s Halloween costumes are highly encouraged.
October 19 Krewe of Boo Monster Mash Following the Krewe of BOO! parade, krewe members and parade-goers join in the after-parade costume party “Monster Mash” featuring costume contests, drink specials, and live entertainment.
October 25-26 Brews and Boos City Park Conservancy’s adults-only Halloween fundraiser features unlimited Carousel Gardens Amusement Park rides and a GHASTLY amount of beer for guys and ghouls 21+. Costumes encouraged!
October 26 Halloween Bar Crawl Get ready for a spooktacular night with Crawl With US at The Official 7th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl!
November 1 Anne Rice Vampire Ball “The Théâtre des Vampires Ball” Join Anne Rice’s Vampire Lestat Fan Club for the 36th Annual Gathering of the Coven at our lavish Masquerade Ball. Open premium bar, full dinner, entertainment, costume contest, and silent auction.
For Anyone
October 2,5,9,12,16,19,23,26,30 Create Your Own Halloween Themed Carnivorous Terrarium Learn to create the ultimate living Halloween decoration: A carnivorous plant terrarium. In this workshop, we will build a terrarium and discuss substrate, watering practices, maintenance, grooming and short term through long term care. Your admission includes: Glass Jar, One carnivorous plant, ABG substrate, and Horticulture charcoal (for filtration).
October 12 Howl-O-Weenie: Dog Costume Contest Not only is it THE DOG COSTUME CONTEST of the Halloween Season, it’s also a great way to support ZEUS’ RESCUES while showing off your collie’s Dolly. Parton wig!!
October 19 Krewe of Boo Parade
October 24 The Rocky Horror Picture Show The 49TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR TOUR! Join the original ‘Magenta’ – Patricia Quinn – for a screening of the original unedited movie with a live shadow cast and audience participation! Plus a costume contest, and more!
October 30 New Orleans Ballet Theatre Presents: Dracula
Food Events
October 20 Vampire and Witches Brunch Vampire Apothecary
October 25 Witches Brunch Muriel’s Jackson Square
October 25 Gris-Gris’ First Annual Witches Brunch Gris-Gris
Haunted Houses
New Orleans Nightmare 319 Butterworth St; General Admission $29.99
The Mortuary 4800 Canal; General Admission $35
Runs
October 19 Krewe of Boo Zombie Run
October 27 Big Easy Halloween Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Pumpkin Patches
St. Andrews Episcopal Church 10/5-10/31 1031 S Carrollton, New Orleans. M-F 3-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm
Woodland Church 10/7-10/31 5825 Berkley Dr, New Orleans. M-F 12-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm
First Presbyterian Church 5401 S Claiborne, New Orleans. M-F 3pm-Dusk, Sat 10am-Dusk, Sun 1pm-Dusk
St. Paul’s Episcopal School 10/5-10/30 6249 Canal, New Orleans. M-Thurs 3:30-6PM, Fri 3-6pm, Sat 10-6pm, Sun 10-5pm (debit or credit card only)
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church 3412 Haring Rd, Metairie. M-F 12-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 10/9-10/31 3245 Manhattan, Harvey. M-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1-6pm
Banting’s Nursery 3425 River Road, Bridge City. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm (delivery available)
Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch 11215 Lee’s Lane, Hammond. M-Sun 9am-5pm (cash only)
NOLA Craft Culture Glitter Pumpkin Patch 127 S Solomon, New Orleans. October 12-13, 19-20
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