The best things to do for Halloween in New Orleans

Carlie Kollath Wells

House decorated for Halloween at night with purple and red lights, glowing jack-o'-lanterns, a large blue illuminated skull, spider webs, and dark tree branches. — Ghost Manor returns this year at the corner of Magazine and Second streets. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells

New Orleans doesn't need much encouragement to get spooky, but the city really embraces its supernatural side in October.

Why it matters: Halloween isn't just one night here. We get a whole month of vampire balls, witches brunches, parades, haunted houses and over-the-top decorations.

The big picture: New Orleans is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the country to visit for Halloween.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do this month.

🎉 Parades

The Krewe of Krampus kicks things off Saturday with its Swampus walking parade through the French Quarter.

FYI: The krewe is taking a break this year from its skull scavenger hunt.

The Krewe of Boo rolls through downtown at 6:30pm on Oct. 24.

🧛🏻 Vampire balls

Man at a party wearing a black top hat with skull designs and fangs, smiling widely. Background shows people in costumes in a warmly lit room with red accents and columns. — Darrius Ravenlock aka Aaron from Charlotte at the Anne Rice Vampire Ball. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios

The city's most famous vampire party is the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club Ball on Halloween. It's sold out, but you can join the waitlist.

I was gifted a ticket last year. Here's what I saw.
Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Other Halloween balls include the Endless Night Vampire Ball, the Queen's Labyrinth Halloween Ball and M.O.M.s Ball.

🧙🏼 Witches brunches

Grab your besties and head to a witch-themed brunch on Fridays this month. New Orleans Mom blog has a guide.

Witches Brew Coffee is another whimsical option.

More into the undead? Swing by The Vampire Cafe for a blood-bag cocktail. Other ways to embrace your inner vampire.

📸 Spooky scenery for free

A two story white house is seen in the background, and the foreground is filled with skeleton's arranged like they're standing in the yard. Each has a sign attached to it with a pun, like "Lady Killer" or "Femme Fatale." — The Skeleton House on St. Charles Avenue gets punnier every year. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios

The Skeleton House at 6000 St. Charles Ave. and the French Quarter are solid options.

Ghost Manor returns to Magazine Street after a year off.

The Kraken House has moved out of Lakeview. No word on whether the tentacles will pop up elsewhere.

🎃 Pumpkin patches

The New Orleans Mom blog has a guide.

Halloween parties

Adults only: City Park's Brews and Boos, Rocky Horror striptease show and Morgus Madness.

Family friendly: Audubon's Boo at the Zoo, City Park's Ghosts in the Oaks and French Market's Boo Carré.

😱 Haunted houses

Check out The Mortuary or New Orleans Nightmare.

🍬 Trick-or-treating

Crowd of trick-or-treaters gathered outdoors at night on a street lit by a bright streetlamp, with some colorful purple lights and home decorations visible in the background. — Trick-or-treating in Imperial Woods. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios

I adore the old-school vibe in River Ridge, where Imperial Woods homeowners throw a massive block party that's open to the public.

Don't want to hang with the kids? Head to Frenchmen or Bourbon.

The bottom line: Whatever your flavor of spooky, New Orleans has you covered.

Axios' Chelsea Brasted contributed to this story.

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