Oct 29, 2026 - Holidays
7 last minute New Orleans Halloween costumes
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
If you're anything like me, then your focus is already on your Mardi Gras costume, leaving your Halloween effort to whatever you pull out of the costume box first.
Yes, but: We can do a little better than that, right?
Zoom in: Here are seven topical, last-minute costume ideas to get you inspired for Halloween in New Orleans this year.
🤝 Mayor Helena Moreno
- What you'll need: A pantsuit, preferably in a bright color; "All in for New Orleans" campaign sign; and this hairstyle.
💸 The New Orleans budget
- What you'll need: Dollars pinned all over your shirt like it's your birthday (best to use fake ones!) and scissors.
🎨 The Blue Dog
- What you'll need: An entirely blue outfit and yellow eye makeup. Get a cheap cat ear headband and spray-paint it blue, too.
🕳️ A pothole
- What you'll need: A black or dark gray shirt. Use hot glue to attach New Orleans detritus, like Mardi Gras beads, a balled up newspaper, an empty Hand Grenade cup — you get the idea. You could even fashion a traffic cone hat out of orange poster board, if you're crafty.
🛋️ A Chad
- What you'll need: A Mardi Gras rugby shirt, Solo cup, cooler and a folding chair. Carry a sign that says "Waiting for Endymion."
⚖️ Morris Bart
- What you'll need: A navy suit and simple tie, a sign that says "ONE CALL, THAT'S ALL" and a bottle of hot sauce.
🚦 Traffic light-chewing fire ants (great for a group!)
- What you'll need: Dark red or brown shirts and headbands with pipe cleaner antennas. Have one person wear a black shirt with cutout circles in red, yellow and green.
None of these speaking to you? Here are the top trending costumes in New Orleans this year.
