New Orleans loves Halloween—another excuse to costume and party—and it’s another music-filled Halloween week in New Orleans with so many events to keep you entertained. Explore our OffBeat Weekly Picks (October 30-November 06) to discover the best local happenings!
Kicking off at 1 p.m. on Halloween, Voodoo Authentica’s 26th Annual VOODOOFEST takes place in the French Quarter. This free festival features internationally revered figures in Voodoo and African spiritual traditions, including Haitian Vodou Priestess Mambo Maggie and Chief Priestess Luisah Teish. Highlights include live music by Sunpie Barnes and Luther Gray, interactive presentations by local culture bearers, a closing ancestral healing ritual led by the Voodoo Authentica Ritual Troupe at 7 p.m. and much more. Learn more about the event here.
Photo: Noé Cugny
Also on Halloween night, local music icon George Porter Jr. and his band Runnin’ Pardners will take the stage at Chickie Wah Wah at 9 p.m. Known for their deep funk sound, the band is performing with special guests Brian Stoltz and Brad Walker. You can learn more or purchase tickets at the Chickie Wah Wah website here.
Photo courtesy of Karl Denson/Instagram
For those looking to keep the Halloween festivities going, Civic Theatre is hosting the Super Freak Ball, where Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will perform a tribute to funk legend Rick James. With special guests Bernard Fowler from the Rolling Stones and Galactic’s Jelly Joseph, this funky affair promises a nostalgic night starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are available on the Civic Theatre website here.
Photo courtesy of the LPO
On Friday, November 1, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will join forces with two-time Grammy winners Lost Bayou Ramblers and local favorites Sweet Crude at the Orpheum Theater. The concert, part of the orchestra’s celebration of Louisiana’s French culture, will showcase Grammy-winning music and high-energy Louisiana tunes for a unique cultural experience. You can learn more or purchase tickets at the LPO website here.
Saturday, November 2, will bring the sounds of Zydeco to Crescent Park for the NOLA Zydeco Festival, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will feature performances from artists like Dwayne Dopsie, Rusty Metoyer, and Wayne Singleton. With Creole food, a Gumbo Cook-Off, dance competitions and a kids’ area, this event is a perfect way to have some fall festival family fun. You can view a schedule of activities and learn more on the NOLA Zydeco Festival website here.
Lil Wayne via Instagram
Hip-hop legend Lil Wayne brings his annual Lil’ Weezyana Fest back to the Smoothie King Center on November 2 at 7 p.m. The concert will feature a Hot Boyz reunion with Juvenile, BJ, and Turk, along with a DJ set from Mannie Fresh. Local rapper Rob49 will also perform, with additional surprise guests expected to join in this star-studded event. Tickets are available on the Smoothie King website here.
Live Nation Urban in partnership with the Culture Creators Foundation will also present Lil’ WeezyCon, a new addition to the Lil’ WeezyAna Fest. Lil WeezyCon will occur on November 2, 2024, at The Fillmore from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lil’ WeezyCon offers a unique platform for thought leaders, creators, artists, and young professionals to come together for a day of panels, networking, and community engagement. In a collaborative effort to uplift the local community, Lil’ WeezyCon will actively engage college students, local community organizations, and high school seniors. This initiative aims to provide young people with valuable opportunities to connect with top industry professionals and learn about career paths in entertainment and entrepreneurship. Students from Dillard University will help produce the event, while volunteers from LSU, Xavier University, and other local schools will contribute their skills and support. Tickets to Lil’ WeezyCon are free. You can learn more here.
To close out the weekend, Tipitina’s will host a special tribute to legendary the”King of Treme” drummer Shannon Powell on Sunday, November 3. Powell recently suffered both a heart attack and a stroke and is still recovering. The lineup includes members of Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and more. The event is produced by Herlin Riley and features performances by George Porter Jr., Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Jon Cleary, Kermit Ruffins, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The event kicks off with a second line with Treme Brass Band starting at 7 p.m. You can learn more or purchase your tickets here.
Weekly Picks (October 30- November 06)
