We are party people here in New Orleans & South Louisiana, aren’t we? Halloween is the unofficial kick-off to a very long, busy, and festive holiday season that technically doesn’t end until Fat Tuesday. Yes!
Every year at this time, there are tons of fun, family-friendly events to choose from on both shores. To help you get into the spooky spirit of the season, we’ve put together a list of Halloween activities in both New Orleans and on the Northshore…
NEW ORLEANS
(NOTE: Sadly, City Park’s Ghosts in the Oaks sold out in September!)
Boo at the View & Mr. Hal-O-Ween
Saturdays and Sundays, October 7-31; 12-6pm, 11am-8pm on Halloween
Visitors can get their pictures taken with Mr. Hal-O-Ween at Clearview Mall on Saturdays and Sundays in October (plus, Monday October 30). Then, on Halloween night from 5pm-8pm, they will have mall-wide trick or treating, pictures with Mr. Hal-O-Ween, face painters, and games. Everyone who brings a canned good item for Second Harvest Food Bank can choose a pumpkin from their pumpkin patch (dates TBA). clearviewmall.com/whats-happening
Lakeside’s Halloween Photos & Goblin Express
October 14-31; (see times below)
Lakeside Shopping Center invites everyone to take photos and ride the Goblin Express train beginning on October 14 through Halloween. Pumpkin Patch photos are Monday – Thursday, 10am-7pm and photos with the Great Pumpkin are Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-7pm, and Sundays, 12-6pm. www.lakesideshopping.com
LPO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday, October 15; 4-5pm
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Halloween Family Concert returns, featuring classical music’s delightfully spooky music. Come to Roussel Hall at Loyola University dressed in your favorite Halloween costume, and be sure to arrive 45 minutes prior to the concert to interact with their ghastly and ghoulish musicians and their instruments. www.lpomusic.com
Boo at the Zoo
Fridays and Saturdays, October 20 & 21, 27 & 28; 5pm-9pm
This annual Audubon Zoo extravaganza is a safe, fun-filled Halloween event for children up to age 12, featuring trick-or-treat houses with candy, the Ghost Train (which can be scary for children and adults), a haunted house (scary and non-scary), games, entertainment and more. All games and treats, except concessions, are free with admission. For tickets and more information, go here. www.auduboninstitute.org/boo-at-the-zoo
Spooktacular Tea at the Windsor Court
Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22; 11am & 2pm
Costumed characters add to the spooky ambiance of this Halloween tea at the Windsor Court Hotel’s Le Salon. Children of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes as they enjoy a delicate tea sandwiches and Halloween-themed treats. www.windsorcourthotel.com/le-salon
Krewe of Boo Parade in the Boo Carre
Saturday, October 21; 6:30pm
Unlike any other parade in the world, this one includes beautifully horrific props and sculptures from the Kern Studios, and it rolls through the Marigny, French Quarter, and CBD. For the parade route and other information, go here. www.kreweofboo.com
Park-A-Boo at Lafreniere
October 27-29; Friday, 5-8:30pm; Saturday, 1-8:30pm; Sunday, 1-5:30pm
This 3-day Halloween Festival is primarily for children under 13 years old to costume and participate in activities such as trick or treating, Boo House (their version of a not too scary haunted house) , face-painting, games, the hay stack romp, animal balloons, storytelling tent, costume contest, roaming characters such as Sponge Bob, Elmo, Dora and others, and an entertainment stage for the children. There will be plenty of food booths, too. Visit their website for more information. www.park-a-boo.com
Shivers at the Shop
Saturday, October 28; 11am-2pm
The Shops at Canal Place are hosting this family- oriented Halloween event. Complimentary candy totes will be distributed (while supplies last) to the kids for fun trick-or-treating at participating stores. Kids are also encouraged to come dressed to impress, with special prizes awarded for the best costumes. In addition, families can enjoy live entertainment, face painting, balloon sculptures, special store promotions, and gift card giveaways throughout the event. To learn more, go here. www.theshopsatcanalplace.com
Haunted Jack o’ Lantern Build
October 28 at 12pm and 3pm
The Ritz-Carlton pastry chefs will provide the gingerbread, you provide the creativity at this Halloween event where visitors can make and decorate their own haunted pumpkin creations. Parental supervision is required. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/hotel-overview/calendar
Ghouls and Goblin Tea
October 28 & 29 at 11am and 2:30pm
Little ghouls and goblins are sure to have a scary good time as they enjoy festive holiday themed snacks in the Ritz-Carlton’s Davenport Lounge. Costumes are encouraged. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/hotel-overview/calendar
Museum Mash at LCM
Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, October 28, 29, 31; 5:30-8:30pm
Louisiana Children’s Museum visitors are invited to wear their favorite costumes for a spook-tacular day filled with music, crafts, and activities. KIds can dig into a gooey bowl of slime and learn how to make their own at home, treat-or-treat in the exhibits, and get moving during the Museum Mash dance party. In line with the Museum’s Health & Wellness Initiative, candy will not be distributed. lcm.org
New Canal Haunted Lighthouse
Sunday, October 29; 4-6pm
During this evening of spooky fun, visitors can weave their way through a spiderweb maze, and enjoy games, storytelling, arts & crafts, candy, and live music featuring Katy & the Confetti Park Players. Ideal for ages 12 and under. Must be accompanied by an adult. The event proceeds support Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s many worthy programs. saveourlake.org
City Putt Halloween Party
Sunday-Tuesday, October 29-31; 5-9pm
Everyone attending City Putt’s family-friendly Halloween Party will get to play one course, enjoy one soft drink or cocktail, as well sweet treats. Plus, they’ll get a free raffle ticket and giveaways. For more information call (504) 483-9385 or visit the website. neworleanscitypark.com/in-the-park/city-putt
NORTHSHORE
Olde Towne Pumpkin Fest
Saturday, October 7; 11am- 3pm
Held at the First United Methodist Church in Olde Towne Slidell, this family fun- filled event will feature pumpkin decorating and carving contests, face painting, a hay dig for children, various vendor participants, and much much more. Plus, all proceeds will benefit East St. Tammany Rainbow Child Care Center. rainbowccc.org/events/pumpkin/
Monster Mash
Saturday, October 21; 10am–3pm
This large festival style annual event, held in Bogue Falaya Park, offers lots of activities, entertainment, and trick or treating for the kids, plus local area restaurants and vendors will be serving refreshments, snacks and treats for purchase. There will also be a reservations-only princess and pirate tea. Costumes encouraged. Go here for tickets and details. www.sthfoundation.org/foundation/monstermash.htm
Boo Fest
Saturday October 28; 10am – 3pm
Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington invites children and families to come Trick or Treat at over 70 haunted houses on the green outside their facility at this fundraiser for ACCESS (Adapting and Changing Children’s Environments with Successful Solutions). The day is packed with lots of fall-themed activities which include pumpkin decorating at the pumpkin patch, face painting, all-abilities games, a complimentary photo booth, music and dancing, and much more. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costume and take part in the annual Boo Fest costume contest. Gates open at 9am for special needs families. lakeviewregional.com/campaigns/boo-fest
Trickin’ and Treatin’ at the Trailhead
Saturday, October 28
10am-noon
Kids 12 and under are invited to participate in a costume contest, while the whole family will enjoy entertainment, face painting, and other fun Halloween activities at the Covington Trailhead. www.covla.com
Mandeville Trailhead Halloween Event
Saturday, October 28; 4pm
The City of Mandeville will host host GNO Properties for the Unity in the Community Halloween event at the Trailhead. The evening will feature a bbq cook-off, trick-or-treating, food vendors, costume contest and close out with a concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring Naydja Cojoe. www.cityofmandeville.com
Pumpkins-in-the-Park
Saturday, October 28; 11am-2pm
The free event, hosted by TerraBella Village Square in Covington, features pumpkins, pumpkin painting, face painting, a jump house, hayride, crafts for the kids, light refreshments and more. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Covington Food Bank. terrabellavillage.com/pumpkins-in-the-park
