Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade presented by The Mortuary

The Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade rolls through downtown New Orleans on Saturday, October 24, 2026, bringing a full Mardi Gras-style parade to the city just before Halloween. Expect enormous Halloween floats, marching bands, dance troupes, walking krewes, costumed characters and the kind of throws you normally associate with Carnival, except this time they come with a distinctly spooky twist.

The parade is free and open to the public, and costumes are encouraged. So yes, you can show up in costume, find a spot along the route and spend the evening trying to catch toys, candy, beads and Halloween-themed throws from the floats. Krewe of BOO!

What can you expect?

This is basically Mardi Gras meets Halloween.

More than 1,000 participants take part, including marching bands, dance troupes and walking krewes, while the floats feature giant 3D creations inspired by werewolves, ghosts, vampires and other Halloween monsters. The parade organizers describe the floats as family-friendly, making this a Halloween event that works for both kids and adults. Krewe of BOO!

And don't come empty-handed. The Krewe specifically recommends bringing a shoulder bag to collect your throws. You can expect the usual beads alongside candy, toys and other Halloween-themed goodies being tossed from the floats. Krewe of BOO!

Krewe of BOO! parade route

The 2026 parade begins with the krewe assembling on Elysian Fields Avenue.

The route then travels:

Elysian Fields Avenue → North Peters Street → Decatur Street → Jackson Square → North Peters Street → Canal Street → Burgundy Street → Canal Street → Tchoupitoulas Street → Andrew Higgins Drive

When should you arrive?

The parade rolls at 6:30 PM, but don't treat that as your arrival time if you want a good viewing spot.

The parade draws tens of thousands of spectators, so the French Quarter and other sections of the route can get crowded. Pick your viewing spot early, especially if you're bringing children or want to be close enough to catch the throws.

And remember, this isn't a sit-down parade where you simply watch the floats go past. The throws are part of the experience. Bring a bag, keep your eyes on the floats and be ready when someone shouts, “Throw me somethin', Monstah!” 🎃

What to watch out for

Crowds: This is one of New Orleans' major Halloween events, with tens of thousands of people expected along the route.

Your viewing spot: The route stretches across the French Quarter and into the Warehouse District, so decide beforehand which part of the route you want to watch from.

Throws: If you're hoping to catch beads, candy or toys, bring a shoulder bag and stay alert as the floats come through.

Costumes: They're encouraged, and you'll fit right in if you dress up. The organizers specifically recommend family-friendly Halloween costumes.

After the parade: The Halloween night doesn't necessarily end when the floats do. The official Monster Mash post-parade costume party takes over Generations Hall, with live entertainment and cocktails.