Halloween in New Orleans is never a quiet affair. Krewe of BOO! pretty much proves it. The parade grew out of New Orleans’ post-Katrina efforts to bring the community together, and today it’s the city’s official Halloween parade, with a weekend of costumes, floats, and Mardi Gras energy wrapped around it. Locals look forward to it the way other towns look forward to kickoff. Krewe of BOO New Orleans has earned its spot among the New Orleans Halloween parade events people plan their October around.
What Krewe of BOO! Actually Is
Krewe of BOO! has grown into New Orleans’ official Halloween parade, combining the city’s Carnival traditions with a distinctly spooky theme. In the early days, money raised went toward Hurricane Katrina relief. After a few quiet years the parade returned in 2013, and it’s been a yearly event since, apart from 2020. Expect Carnival-sized floats, friendly monsters, costumed marchers, and a lot of noise.
Half of it feels like Mardi Gras. The other half feels like a Halloween block party. Throws are made locally, and the floats show the kind of detailed, slightly over-the-top work this city does better than anywhere else.
Date and Time for 2026
Mark Saturday, October 24, for Krewe of BOO 2026. The parade rolls at 6:30 pm, it’s free, and anyone can come watch. Riders aren’t the only ones expected to dress up. Costumes are strongly encouraged in the crowd as well.
The Parade Route
The Krewe of BOO parade kicks off on Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny, then turns onto North Peters Street and heads into the French Quarter. From North Peters, the parade moves onto Decatur Street near Jackson Square before continuing through the French Quarter. It then returns to North Peters, heads toward Canal Street, and makes a U-turn at Burgundy. After that, it runs back down Canal to Tchoupitoulas Street and ends near Andrew Higgins Drive in the Warehouse District.
That adds up to roughly three miles. The route starts in the Marigny, cuts through the middle of the French Quarter, and finishes in the Warehouse District. Since it covers so much ground, you can watch from whichever neighborhood is closest to where you’re staying.
What to Expect at the Parade
Kern Studios builds the floats. That’s the same company behind plenty of the biggest floats at Mardi Gras. The parade features more than a dozen Halloween-themed floats packed with werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and other classic monsters. Marching bands, dance troupes, walking krewes, and hundreds of costumed participants add to the spectacle, while throws fly toward the crowd along the route.
The monsters look spooky, sure. But the parade itself isn’t scary at all. Kids do fine here, and the whole thing feels a lot more like a Halloween-themed Mardi Gras parade than a haunted house.
A Full Weekend of New Orleans Halloween Events
Krewe of BOO! doesn’t stop at one night. It sits at the center of a bigger weekend of New Orleans Halloween events. For 2026, Friday’s schedule includes the Royal Luncheon, followed by a Jazz Second Line and Happy Hour, with the Captain’s Party taking place that evening. On Saturday morning, runners take over the Warehouse District for the New Orleans Zombie Run. The parade itself rolls at sundown.
Once the last float passes, Monster Mash keeps things going. It’s a costume party at Generations Hall on Andrew Higgins Boulevard, and it serves as the official after-party for anyone who isn’t ready to call it a night.
Getting to the Halloween Parade New Orleans Crowds Show Up For
With a route that stretches from the Marigny through the French Quarter and into the Warehouse District, getting to your spot on parade night takes some thought. Traffic gets messy fast. If you plan to watch from Decatur Street or near Jackson Square, French Quarter transportation handles the middle part of the route nicely.
Planning to catch the finish near the Warehouse District, or head straight to Monster Mash afterward? A CBD car service can take you to both in one trip and keep you clear of the street closures a parade this size brings.
Groups hitting several events across the weekend may find a black car service the easiest choice. The same vehicle can carry you from the Zombie Run in the morning to the parade at sundown and then over to Monster Mash, with no need to book a new ride for each stop.
Final Thoughts
Few events say “New Orleans” quite like Krewe of BOO!. It’s a free, family-friendly parade with real Carnival-level production, all packed into one October weekend. Between the route, the Zombie Run, and the parties around it, the whole weekend deserves its own plan. Sorting out transportation ahead of time beats showing up for the parade and improvising the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Krewe of BOO! parade in 2026?
Saturday, October 24, 2026, with the parade rolling at 6:30 pm.
Is Krewe of BOO! free to attend?
Yes. Anyone can watch along the parade route for free.
What is the Krewe of BOO! parade route?
The parade starts at Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny, moves through the French Quarter, continues along Canal Street, and finishes near Andrew Higgins Drive in the Warehouse District.
Is the parade appropriate for kids?
Yes. The monster theme looks spooky, but Krewe of BOO! is built to be family and child-friendly.
What other events happen during Krewe of BOO! weekend?
Besides the parade, the weekend includes the Royal Luncheon, a Jazz Second Line, the Captain’s Party, the New Orleans Zombie Run, and the Monster Mash after-party.