Krewe of Boo, New Orleans’s premier Halloween event, is pleased to announce its annual event will take place Saturday, October 21. Founded in 2007, the first Krewe of Boo parade rolled the following year as a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief. It was a success, and after a several years passed with no Halloween parade, New Orleanians felt the absence of this event, therefore it was revived from the dead, brought back by popular demand in 2013. Krewe of Boo was originally launched by “Mr. Mardi Gras” himself, Blaine Kern Sr., who is highly celebrated as the mastermind behind the larger-than-life papier-maché floats that have become the face of Mardi Gras since the 1950s. When the Halloween-centric krewe was resurrected, it was Blaine’s son Brian that took the reins.

With 450 riders, 15 floats, and 35 marching bands and dance krewes, Krewe of Boo (stylized Krewe of BOO!) has grown from a single parade into a weekend full of events. Krewe of Boo is the official Halloween parade of New Orleans and it’s no surprise that in a city known for its love of costumes and letting the good times roll, New Orleans is one of the best places in America to celebrate Halloween.

Everyone is welcome to join the spooky festivities of the annual Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade rolling through the heart of downtown New Orleans the weekend before Halloween weekend which falls October 21, at sundown, this year. Featuring 3-D fiberglass and papier-mâché extravaganza of werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and other Halloween-themed monsters, the Krewe of Boo floats are very child-friendly and welcoming for the entire family. Costumes are encouraged, so parade-goers are welcome to wear your favorite family-friendly Halloween gear as you catch plenty of toys, candy, beads and Halloween-themed throws.

For more information on the parade route, which rolls primarily through the Lower Decatur area of the Quarter, visit the Krewe website here. 

The Metropolitan’s Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Bouelvard, will host the after Monster Mash party starting at 8 p.m. on Oct. 21. Details are available for this costumed event here.