Infamous New Orleans Halloween
Guys in Disguise

Halloween has been called New Orleans’ second Mardi Gras, and the October holiday fits right into the city’s culture. With New Orleans’ above-ground cemeteries called “Cities of the Dead,” its voodoo and vampire lore, and the ghosts that some imagine to inhabit the French Quarter, the atmosphere is perfect. Then, add to the bubbling cauldron a fresh opportunity for residents to costume and have a party in the streets, and Halloween becomes quite a big deal in New Orleans. Each year, more and more tourists are making a special trip to participate in New Orleans’ Halloween fun, and gay and lesbian travelers have long been leaders of this trend.

New Orleanians in general love to costume, but the areas of the French Quarter where the gay bars are concentrated, especially around Bourbon and St. Ann Streets, have some of the most eye-popping costumes in the city. Another area to gawk is on Frenchmen Street, just outside of the Quarter in the Marigny. Those who try to get in the spirit by simply throwing on a wacky hat or cheap mask will feel severely underdressed. The stakes are high in costume contests with some gay clubs offering as much as $500 for a first place prize.

Events at gay bars and clubs may change year to year, but there’s always tons going on with even normally sedate venues booking revues, DJs, and special parties. Pick up an Ambush, the city’s free GLBT publication, for event listings geared toward a gay crowd, or check out the magazine online. One constant is the weekend-long circuit party put on by an organization called Halloween in New Orleans that benefits Project Lazarus, a hospice for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Although not specifically geared toward a gay audience like the Lazarus event, the Voodoo Music Experience is another big draw for Halloween weekend. Several stages set up in City Park host rock bands all Saturday and Sunday. Big-name headliners always close out the night’s show.

Even if October 31 falls during the week, it’s still the biggest night of the Halloween season regardless of work obligations or the big events of the previous weekend. After all, Mardi Gras falls on a Tuesday each year, but everyone in New Orleans still turns out to have a good time.

Ambush Magazine
www.ambushmag.com

Halloween in New Orleans
www.halloweenneworleans.com

Project Lazarus House
(504) 949-3609
www.lazarushouse.net

Voodoo Experience
www.voodoomusicfest.com