Goblins, ghouls, ghosts. Witches, skeletons, trick-or-treaters and jack-o-lanterns. Jazz, beignets and streetcars. These are the images that come to mind when you hear the terms “Halloween” and “New Orleans”. How does New Orleans’s celebration of Halloween take on its own form here, permeating the city like a spooky, smaller, fall version of Mardi Gras? This is the question newcomers are wondering and natives have stopped asking, remaining comfortable in the mystique of the city and holiday combined. An obsession with death held by this city makes Halloween the perfect holiday for New Orleans. Follow these tips for a New Orleans-style Halloween: Music on Frenchman Street: From the crazy costumes of locals and visitors alike to the amazing music, Frenchman is a Halloween must! Many of the clubs will be 21 plus.
Concerts: If you started the Halloween spirit with Krewe de Boo or Voodoo Festival and are looking for a fun, non-spooky way to spend the evening head to The Mercedes Benz Superdome for Ed Sheeran’s one night only performance! Concert clothes or costumes are required for entry.
Graveyards/ Ghost Tours: “City of the dead” is another name for New Orleans. Take a tour of the above ground crypts, or hear the hauntings and killings of New Orleans on a ghost tour of The French Quarter for a spooky start to your Halloween. Tours vary in time, length, and price. Voodoo and witchcraft: If ghosts aren’t for you, learn about the mysterious religion of Voodoo and its ties to New Orleans. Take a tour, visit a voodoo shop, or meet The High Priestess! Rocky Horror: A cult classic, seeing Rocky Horror on Halloween is always a good way to go. At The Prytania Theater, showings are roughly at 10PM and 12AM on Halloween. Actors yell, audiences dance and people throw things at the screen.
Costumes: Dressing up is half the fun of Halloween- a night to be anything! Get creative- have a group, couple or individual costume all without breaking the bank! • Go thrifting on Magazine Street • Revamp old clothes/ costumes • DIY projects • Online shopping: If you can’t make what you want (like those hoop earrings for that pirate costume) or find it locally, use places like Amazon or Etsy. If you “need” it or want it, it’s probably online. Parties: Going to a party is a great way to celebrate any occasion- having fun, meeting people and being with friends. Don’t let a great party go sour, be safe and have fun! Tried and true party rules: • Buddy System: Have someone to walk you home if you aren’t feeling well or are plain uncomfortable, that way you know you’re safe and can enjoy yourself. • Know Your Host: If you don’t know your host, trust the people you’re going with. • Have fun!: This is self-explanatory: just have a good time! • The city is a party and your space to have fun: There’s so much more than Tulane dorm rooms. Join the party at Frenchman and The Quarter!
Whether you go out to a concert, throw a party, or have a scary movie marathon: be safe, have some spooks, and celebrate! Happy Halloween! Don’t forget the candy corn! Horror: If Rocky isn’t your thing, just take the horror. Have a thriller fest and watch a marathon of your favorites from Psycho to The Purge. Or save the fright and just have a Halloween movie night with Halloweentown and Nightmare Before Christmas.