Halloween weekend is fast approaching, and New Orleans has plenty to offer anyone looking for a spooky–or old fashioned–good time. Obviously the 18th annual Voodoo Music + Arts Experience will be taking over City Park, but we figured it would be best to focus on some of the other festivities taking place around town from Friday through Halloween Day.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Brews and Boos – The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park in City Park will welcome some decidedly adult clientele when Brews & Boos returns from 11pm-2am. The event combines the family-friendly fun of an amusement park with open bars and a costume contest. Unfortunately for the non-early birds out there, this one is already sold out.
Beyond the Haunted Puddle – This fully immersive haunted house experience will set up shop at 2120 Port St from Friday through Monday. Dreamed up by street artist You Go Girl, the walkthrough tells the story of two children who disappeared into a puddle in the 9th ward. 7-9pm will be all ages, but 9-11pm is for adults only. Tickets available here.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
Hell’s Gala – The annual Hell’s Gala party will bring another rave-reminiscent party to Mardi Gras World. Steve Aoki, Mija, Bleep Bloop, Wuki and many more are on the bill. And costumes are highly encouraged. Tickets for the show are on sale here.
Monsters of Funk – While it’s not officially a Voodoo Fest after show, it might as well be. This show at the Joy Theater will bring funk masters Bernard Purdie, Leo Nocentelli, Oteil Burbridge and Ivan Neville together for a superjam that will also feature the Dirty Dozen Brass Band horns. Colorado jam-funk outfit The Motet will open the night. Tickets are on sale here.
Endless Night Vampire Ball – This annual party is essentially a vampire-themed masquerade ball. The event is the culmination of the Endless Night Festival, a four day event that celebrates all thing vampiric. It also has an extremely strict dress code to ensure that no one kills the vibe by showing up out of character. Tickets for the ball are on sale here.
Galactic – New Orleans funk rock mainstays Galactic will return to their favorite haunt (get it?) when they headline Tipitina’s with their annual Halloween show. Gravy is set to open the night. Tickets for the show have already sold out.
Flow Tribe – Flow Tribe will bring their Halloween Crunktacular back to the Maple Lead. Tickets will be available at the door.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
BOOty Bash – Afro-Brazilian performance group BateBunda and surf-rock mavericks Daikaiju will throwdown for this party, which is slated to run pretty late for a school night. DJ Sir Real and hip-hop artist Delish Da Goddess will also perform. Tickets will be available at the door, and costumes are encouraged.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
1st annual Marigny, Bywater Block Party – The people behind the Frenchmen Art Market and The Art Garage will host this soiree, which is set to go down in a “disenchanted forest” on the 2200 block of St. Claude Avenue. The night will feature a costume contest and other activities.
Big Gigantic – Electronic music superstar Big Gigantic will celebrate Halloween with a show at the Joy Theater in New Orleans. Illenium and Carneyval will open the night. Tickets are on sale here.
Sexual Thunder – The young guns of Sexual Thunder will celebrate All Hallow’s Eve with a show at their favorite haunt (do you still get it?), The Maple Leaf. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Funky Meters – The Funky Meters will return to Tipitina’s for a Halloween night concert. 7 Come 11 will open the night. Tickets are on sale here.
