Much like Carnival, Halloween in New Orleans is not just a one-day affair. This year, Halloweekend starts especially early with Halloween New Orleans’ 34th annual “BOOgie on the Dancefloor” (Oct. 20-Oct. 22).

The party began in the mid-1980s, when a group of friends started hosting a Halloween party for New Orleans’ LGBT community, and decided to donate all proceeds to AIDS treatment. At the time, HIV was a brand new epidemic, and the gay community was overwhelmingly affected.

Around the same time, two Marigny-based ministers founded Project Lazarus, a rehabilitation and wellness center for people living with AIDS. Halloween New Orleans connected with Project Lazarus, in a marriage of cultural enjoyment and social activism that has become characteristic of New Orleans and the LGBT community at large. Three decades later, Halloween New Orleans has raised over $4.5 million for the cause, and that number is still going up.

This year’s festivities will kick off Friday, Oct. 20, with an exclusive brunch at Café Amelie on Royal Street. The invitation is limited to patrons who have donated at least $1,000 to Project Lazarus, but the rest of the weekend is significantly less pricey.

The main event will take place Saturday, Oct. 21. At 10 p.m., when the House of Blues will transform into Studio 54, the famed 1970s New York hangout of celebrities such as Andy Warhol, Elton John, and Liza Minelli. Attendees will participate in costume contests and get down to golden oldies, courtesy of DJ Chris Cox and DJ Blacklow.

The event will wrap up Sunday, Oct. 22, with a “tea dance” on the Pier at Crescent Park, featuring Australian DJ Kitty Glitter in her first U.S. performance.

Tickets beginning at $145 are on sale now, so be sure to come out, have some fun, and support an important cause this Halloween.