Event Dates
From: Friday, October 23, 2026
To: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Halloween in New Orleans is an over the top affair and one of the best places to celebrate the holiday in the USA.
Gay Halloween in New Orleans means party time, a chance to dress up, drink and look for that special trick or treat, and there are lots of treats to be had. The highlight of Halloween is the street parade, that seems to get bigger and bigger each year, and is normally held at night the French quarter. It is the second largest event after New Orleans Mardi Gras.
- Halloween packs the city, so book early. Check out the best places to stay and grab a hotel deal in the French Quarter, the heart of all the pride festivities. Stay at the stunning Virgin Hotels New Orleans, rated “Superb” by guests and host of official pool parties, beautifully decorated rooms and great location.
Halloween in the Big Easy
- Next Edition: Friday, October 23, 2026 to Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Note! – The Krewe of BOO! parade takes place on Saturday 24th October, a week before Halloween night. Most of the other parties and events are held on the final weekend (29th Oct to 1st Nov).
- New Orleans knows how to wear a costume. Masking is part of the city’s year-round culture, so Halloween brings out handmade looks, elaborate group outfits and plenty of people who have planned their night around what they are wearing.
- For gay visitors, the action centres on Bourbon and St. Ann streets: Oz on one corner, Bourbon Pub & Parade on the other, and HNO’s ticketed parties across the weekend.
- Costume shops will stock everything you need so pack light. Take a haunted tour, visit the Voodoo Shops , your Halloween fun has just begun.
- During the main parade, coloured beads are thrown from the passing floats, to boys and girls who show assets normally hidden from view.
- Most of the major gay events kick off on the weekend before Halloween in the hauntingly mysterious French Quarter.
Where to stay
- French Quarter: The easiest base for Oz, Bourbon Pub & Parade and the gay bars around St. Ann Street. Ask for a courtyard-facing room if late-night street noise is a concern.
- Hotel Monteleone: A classic French Quarter stay near the nightlife, with a sense of occasion that fits a Halloween trip.
- Omni Royal Orleans: A central choice for walking between the Quarter’s bars, restaurants and parade streets.
- Royal Sonesta New Orleans: Pick this if being directly on Bourbon Street matters most; check the room position when booking.
- Marigny: A useful base for Frenchmen Street and a change of pace from Bourbon Street.
Halloween highlights
- Saturday 24th October: Krewe of BOO! rolls through the French Quarter at 6.30 pm. Go for the floats and costumes, then return the following weekend for the gay parties.
- Thursday 29th October to Sunday 1st November: Oz runs four nights of comedy, drag, DJs and a costume contest at 800 Bourbon Street.
- Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November: HNO brings its Lazarus Ball, Halloween-night costume party, riverfront tea dance and second line.
- Saturday 31st October: Dress up for the gay bars around Bourbon and St. Ann, or spend part of the night seeing the costumes on Frenchmen Street.
Gay Halloween New Orleans – Full Schedule 2026
Date & Time Event Venue Saturday 24th October 2026 6.30 pm Krewe of BOO! parade French Quarter to Warehouse District. Free public Halloween parade. Thursday 29th October 2026 8 pm Queens and Queers of Comedy Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. 11.30 pm Costume contest with Lexis Redd D’Ville Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. Friday 30th October 2026 7 pm–10 pm HNO Lazarus Ball The Barnett. Gala with cocktails, food, DJs and silent auction. 8 pm Freaky Fridays drag show Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. Midnight DJ Robbie Carriegan Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. Saturday 31st October 2026 — Halloween night Time to be announced Halloween at Bourbon Pub & Parade Bourbon Pub & Parade, 801 Bourbon Street. Venue confirms Halloween; detailed lineup pending. Times vary; guest DJ at 2 am Oz Halloween DJs Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. DJs Daniel Gray and SPZM; guest DJ Bret Sterhouse billed for 2 am. 10 pm–3 am HNO main costume party The Fillmore. DJ Kitty Glitter, Costume Revue & Contest; costume required. Sunday 1st November 2026 1 pm–4.30 pm; second line follows HNO Tea Dance and second line Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park at Gov. Nicholls St. Wharf. DJ Ben Bakson; French Quarter second line follows. 7 pm Drag and Stripper Bingeaux Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. 9.30 pm Show Night with the Ladies of Oz Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. Krewe of BOO! Parade
- Next Edition: Saturday 24th October – 6.30 pm – The Krewe of BOO! parade starts at travelling through the French Quarter towards the Warehouse District.
- Giant monster floats, marching groups and Halloween throws give the city a warm-up weekend before Halloween itself.
- Viewing is free. Costumes are encouraged; bring a bag if you plan to catch throws. The parade is a public, family-friendly event, included here for visitors spending both weekends in New Orleans.
- Official parade route: Elysian Fields → North Peters → Decatur past Jackson Square → North Peters → Canal (U-turn at Burgundy) → Canal → Tchoupitoulas → Andrew Higgins.
- Grab a spot at Jackson Square/Decatur for float photos and atmosphere.
- Or try Canal Street for wider sidewalks and easy exits.
HNO – The Halloween Circuit Event
- Next Edition: Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November.
- HNO, The Halloween “circuit party” all began as a simple gathering of friends in 1984. Now it has evolved into one of the most celebrated gay circuit party weekends of the year.
- Start with the Lazarus Ball at The Barnett, make Halloween night the main event at The Fillmore, then finish at Sunday’s riverfront tea dance and French Quarter second line. A costume is required for the Saturday party.
- HNO began as a gathering to honour friends lost to HIV/AIDS. It now raises funds for Project Lazarus, which provides housing and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. That history gives the weekend a purpose beyond the dance floor.
Halloween at Oz
- Next Edition: Thursday 29th October to Sunday 1st November.
- Oz is at 800 Bourbon Street, right in the gay bar area.
- Thursday: Queens and Queers of Comedy at 8 pm, then a costume contest with Lexis Redd D’Ville at 11.30 pm.
- Friday: Freaky Fridays drag show at 8 pm, followed by DJ Robbie Carriegan at midnight.
- Saturday: DJs Daniel Gray and SPZM, with guest DJ Bret Sterhouse billed for 2 am.
- Sunday: Drag and Stripper Bingeaux at 7 pm, followed by a Ladies of Oz show at 9.30 pm.
- Weekend passes are advertised. Oz is 21+.
The Bourbon Pub Halloween Parties
- The French Quarter’s hosts non stop parties and events throughout the Halloween celebrations with crazy costumes, drag shows, strippers and more!
- Find most of the action on Bourbon and St. Ann streets in the heart of the Quarter complete with elaborate costumes, exciting galas, drinking and dancing.
- New Orleans’ largest gay nightclub complex, The Bourbon Pub video bar and The Parade dance club, host nonstop Halloween Parties all Weekend. “The Pub” is the very heart of the New Orleans gay community, and showcase some of the very best DJ talent and entertainment.
Frenchmen Street on Halloween night
- October 31st 2026 – Head to Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny when you want to see New Orleans celebrating outside the clubs.
- Walk the street, take in the costumes and choose a music venue when something catches your ear.
- Head to St. Claude nearby for more fun.
- Tip! Book your dinner table early if you plan on dining on Halloween night.
Street Parties
- 31st October – One of the biggest Halloween celebrations occurs every year on Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny.
- Thousands of partygoers, including locals and tourists take to the streets in their elaborate and frequently outlandish outfits.
Halloween Weather
- Traditionally, October boasts some of the very best weather that New Orleans has to offer. So forget about heat, humidity and even very cold temperatures. Mother Nature always smiles on Halloween in New Orleans!
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The Hotel Monteleone is where we stay
in New Orleans, close to all the gay bars.
For information and advice on
Halloween New Orleans Website
If you want to be close to all of New Orleans famous attractions, including the top gay-nightlife options in the city, the French Quarter remains the hub of where to stay, with dozens of hotels of all types and grades.. Adjacent to the Quarter and just downriver, you’ll find a number of gay-friendly smaller properties in historic and trendy Faubourg Marigny, which is also home to several gay-popular restaurants and bars.
Address: 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 100 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 541 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Address: 830 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 626 Saint Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 801 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2513 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 718 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 1328 St Bernard Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2240 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 800 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 2021 Foucher St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
Address: 2301 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 634 Louisa Street, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 901 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 740 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 740 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 940 St. Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 834 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 1012 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 941 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 1239 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Address: 439 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Address: 940 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
Address: 542 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Best Gay Bars, Clubs, and Events in the Big Easy
New Orleans doesn’t have distinct gay neighbourhoods in the same way as some other cities like West Hollywood or Chelsea in New York City. However, the city is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and you’ll find gay-friendly establishments and events scattered throughout various neighbourhoods, especially along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.
Photo: Laissez les bons temps rouler! Bourbon Street is at the heart of Gay NOLA.
Downriver from the French Quarter with colourful, eclectic houses & a vibrant arts scene along Frenchman St.
East of the Marigny and close to Crescent Park with stunning views of the River and the NOLA skyline.
Known as the Arts District, perfect for art enthusiasts & museum-goers with trendy restaurants & boutique hotels.
The CBD offers easy access to Bourbon Street and a variety of dining options, shops, and cultural attractions.

Maspalomas Fetish Pride 2027