A Spooky and Haunted Guide to Halloween in New Orleans
Looking to experience Halloween in New Orleans? All you need to do is show up. Second only to Mardi Gras, Halloween is just second nature for a city like New Orleans. As a local told me during my recent visit:
Don’t approach zombies or vampires on Halloween in New Orleans. They may just be real.
Interested in attending the Vampire Ball?
Cost | starts at $65
2019 Dates | October 26, 2019
Website | endlessnight.com
Take a Tour of St. Louis Cemetery No.1
Crystal of Wandering Crystal
Spend this Halloween in one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States — St. Louis Cemetery No 1 in New Orleans. Only accessible on a New Orleans tour, the oldest graveyard in New Orleans is home to above-ground oven crypts and is oozing with countless spooky ghost stories to make your Halloween more terrifying than you could even imagine.
As you pass by the crumbling tombstones, you’ll hear tales of ghosts that currently haunt the cemetery. The most famous spirit resident is the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau. During her reign, she was the most powerful voodoo practitioner and her legend lives on after her death.
Marie Laveau is said to make her presence known and guests have reported being touched, hearing voices or falling ill after coming into contact with the Voodoo Queen’s tomb.
If you’re wondering why her tombstone is donned with offerings of coins, makeup and hair elastics, it’s for a very specific reason. Often visitors to the graveyard will try to mark her grave with three xs so Marie Laveau will grant them a wish. If their wish comes true, the visitor is obligated to return to her tomb with gifts to say thank you.
A visit to the cemetery is fun, informative and spooky. But be careful because you may not be leaving the graveyard alone.

Interested in visiting St. Louis Cemetery No. 1?
See tours
Cost | varies depending on the tour
American Horror Story: Coven Tour
Taking the [unofficial] tour showcasing all of the filming locations for American Horror Story: Coven (season 3) is a must-do while in New Orleans and even better during Halloween! Even if you’re not a fan of the show, the tour is interesting and fun! I actually took my grandma on it and she really enjoyed all the historical elements and the tour takes you to spots you’ll likely want to visit anyway such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (which you can only get access to via a tour).
Interested in taking this tour?
Cost | $35
Website | neworleansfilmtours.com
Find Your Best Look at One of the Costume Shops
Always wanted to go all out for Halloween? New Orleans is the place to be. There’s no such thing as “too much.” Make sure to visit one of the city’s many costume shops to get all the essentials needed for any Halloween costume.
Attend the Long-Running LGBTQ+ Party for a Good Cause
The HNO [Halloween New Orleans] is a 35-year running event that raises money for Project Lazarus in New Orleans which is an HIV/AIDS support organization. The event runs an entire weekend and includes a black-tie ball, an elaborate and vibrant Halloween dance party, an afternoon dance party in the park, and, of course, an infamous New Orleans Second Line through the French Quarter.
Interested in attending HNO?
Cost | starts at $80
2019 Dates | October 25-27, 2019
Website | togetherwenola.com
PLANNING A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS?
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One Comment
Crystal
Great post! Thanks for including me! New Orleans is the perfect place to spend Halloween! I definitely went on my own little American Horror Story tour when I was last in New Orleans!