It is nearly impossible not to be aware of New Orleans’ impending tricentennial celebrations. Even the WWOZ member thank you gift baseball cap has the city’s 300-year designation on it now. There should be no doubt that as a 300-year-old city New Orleans has earned its share of ghosts, making Halloween an especially wonderful time to visit.
Here are some suggestions of how to get chills up your spine.
Voodoo Fest
Friday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 29
Voodoo Fest has become a staple festival that combines music and art for an immersive cultural experience. Headliners Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, The Killers, LCD Soundsystem and DJ Snake — along with about 60 additional performers I’m not cool enough to know about — will bring out crowds of hip revelers in freaky face paint. Tickets are still available online and rates will increase again on Friday at 10 a.m.
“Gypsy Carnival” Halloween Party at the Foundation Room
Friday, Oct. 27
The Foundation Room is hosting a “Gypsy Carnival” event on Friday, Oct. 27 featuring the indie blues and gypsy jazz music of Bon Bon Vivant, complete with belly dancers and tarot card readers. The 10:00 p.m. start time means those in town for Voodoo Fest have plenty of time to change into fresh costumes and make the party. The party is open to the public, but if you are not a Foundation Room member you will be charged a $10 cover. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by emailing NOLAFoundationRoomRSVP@livenation.com or by calling 504-310-4986.
Scary St. Charles Avenue
Just as New Orleanians have a penchant for costuming, we also like to decorate our houses for just about any occasion. Halloween brings out the creativity for many homeowners, and some mansions along St. Charles Avenue use their large canvases to thrill pedestrians with ghoulish décor. A local favorite is located on the corner of St. Charles Avenue and State Street. “The Skeleton House” specializes in puns, using both political and contemporary pop culture references. Skeletons are costumed with names like “Napoleon Bone-Apart” or “Scary Poppins” to the delight of grown-ups who “get it” and children who love the overwhelming number of skeletons. They are lit up at night for viewing during the witching hour as well.
House of Shock
Celebrating 25 years of scaring the living daylights out of people, the House of Shock is routinely rated one of the best haunted houses in the country. Located just a bit outside of the city at 319 Butterworth, Jefferson, Louisiana, the car ride is worth it. Nightly shows will be offered Oct. 26-Oct.31 and include the haunted house, live music, pyrotechnics and a full-service bar and food. VIP tickets are available online and general admission tickets must be purchased onsite starting at 7 p.m. Don’t get there late, the shows will sell out.
For the Kiddos
New Orleans has many options for child-friendly ghostly times too. Two favorites are “Crawloween” at the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and “Museum Mash” at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Both offer children the chance to wear costumes in a safe and fun environment, and provide learning opportunities and special activities to celebrate Halloween. Follow the links for dates, times and admission details.
