Well, it’s time to start thinking of Fall Things, including Halloween and all the great events surrounding it in New Orleans. We’ve got a ton of things to do, and you’ve got plenty of time to plan a trip down to Southern Louisiana for the festivities!
We’ll kick off the month with the opens in a new windowTremé Fall Festival. Held October 5-7, 2018, from 10am to 7pm, at Saint Augustine Cathlolic Church, the Fall Fest features some of the most famous musicians out of Tremé, America’s oldest African-American neighborhood. The music will be playing from 11am to 7pm each day of the fest. The fest is donation-based and will have vendors along with the musical acts.
opens in a new windowGentilly Fest takes place at Ponchartrain Park Playground, October 12-14th. This festival is free admission and benefits New Orleans Organizations including police, fire and EMS. There will be two musical stages, a Kids Village (pony rides!) and dozens and dozens of product and food vendors. It’s open Friday night from 6-10pm, Saturday Noon-10pm and Sunday Noon-7pm.
opens in a new windowOktoberfest takes place at Deutsches Haus on Bayou St John, across from city park, recurring weekly on Friday and Saturday , October 5-20, Fridays: 4pm – 11pm and Saturdays: 1pm -11p. This fest has everything you would expect and want – German food, German music, and of course, lots and lots of beer, as well as contests and dancing!
The opens in a new windowKrewe of Boo rolls through the French Quarter on October 20th at 6:30 with its annual Halloween Parade – but before that amazing spectacle, take part in the opens in a new windowZombie Run! This 2 mile race through downtown NOLA starts at 9am – participants are dressed in their scarily-best zombie get-up, chased by the Big Easy Roller Girls, the official Zombie Killers!
Also on the 20th is the opens in a new windowNOLA Mac-N-Cheese Fest, at Louis Armstrong Park at 11am. Many famous New Orleans restaurants will be resperesnted with incredible versions of melty and marveous macarolni and cheese. How about a crawfish mac and cheese grilled cheese? Oh my! Entry is free, but you will need to purchase tickets to enjoy that cheesy goodness!
Finally, let’s talk about opens in a new windowHalloween New Orleans, a series of events held the weekend before the Big Day. This year, it’s October 26-28. The mission of HNO is to provide funding for Project Lazarus, a health care and support services home in New Orleans for men and women with HIV/AIDS. On the 26th is the Lazarus Ball, a black-tie event with an open bar, a silent auction, food and entertainment. On the 27th, the craziness kicks into high gear with The Main Event: Sideshow – a carnival themed event at the Contemporary Arts Center. Costumes are required as the party goes from 10pm to 3am! On the 28th, head to Crescent Park at 1pm for the Funhouse Tea Dance, followed by a second line parade through the French Quarter at 6pm.
Whew! Head down to NOLA for the funnest October you can imagine, and don’t forget to stay with us at 1896 O’Malley House when you do!