Is New Orleans Crowded on Halloween?
October 22, 2026
The Krewe of Boo parade rolls Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 6:30pm. Watch it from the street, then walk three blocks to a Bourbon Street balcony and see the rest of the night from above.
Most people think New Orleans parades only happen at Mardi Gras. Halloween has its own, and it is a lot easier to love. You can move. You can see the bands. You can dance with the marching krewes in the street. Then, when the parade is done, you go up above the crowd and finish the night right.
When and Where Is the Krewe of Boo Parade in 2026?
The parade is Saturday, October 24, 2026, exactly one week before Halloween. It rolls at 6:30pm and it is free to watch.
It starts at Decatur and Elysian Fields in the Marigny, runs down Elysian Fields to North Peters, and turns onto Decatur past Jackson Square. From there it continues down Canal Street, turns at Burgundy, and heads for Tchoupitoulas, finishing at Andrew Higgins Drive in the Warehouse District. Schedules can change, so confirm the start time the day of.
Costumes are encouraged. Bring a bag for the throws.
Why You Should Watch the Krewe of Boo From the Street
Watch this one from the street. The crowd is much smaller than Mardi Gras, so you can actually move, you can see the bands, and you feel the energy of the dance krewes as they come right past you. Dance along in the street. This parade invites it.
You also catch more throws. The parade is rolling down the street with you, so the beads and throws come to you. And the route is completely different from the big Mardi Gras parades.
Where to Go After the Parade: Our Post Parade Viewing Halloween Balcony Party at Cornet
Cornet is three blocks away, directly behind Jackson Square on Bourbon Street. That makes it the perfect place to go once the parade has passed.
Our Post Parade Viewing Halloween Balcony Party at Cornet, 700 Bourbon Street, runs 9pm to midnight on Saturday, October 24. Here is what balcony ticket guests get:
- 3 hours of open bar
- A Halloween buffet
- Guaranteed balcony access
- Come and go as you please
- Private restrooms for balcony ticket guests
Get your Halloween balcony tickets
On a packed night on Bourbon, private restrooms are a bigger deal than they sound. And coming and going as you please means you can stay on the balcony all night or step down into the street and come back.
Why the Balcony Is Like Riding on a Float
Being on a balcony is like riding on a float in a parade. You are above the crowd, tossing beads and balcony throws down to the people below, and the whole street is looking up at you.
So do both. Spend the early evening in the street, in the music and the dancing, catching throws. Then spend the late evening on the other side of it, throwing them.
Bourbon Street also closes to traffic at sundown and becomes a pedestrian promenade, so by 9pm the street below is full of costumes. For the full picture of what that looks like from up there, read our guide on whether New Orleans is crowded on Halloween night.
A Simple Plan for Saturday, October 24
Before 6:30pm: Get in costume. Grab a bag for throws. Find your spot on Decatur near Jackson Square.
6:30pm: The parade rolls. Dance along, catch throws, and take in the bands and dance krewes.
After the parade: Walk three blocks to Cornet. Take your time. The party starts at 9pm and you come and go as you please.
9pm to midnight: Balcony party at Cornet. Beads in hand, above the crowd.
If you want to do it all again, Halloween itself is one week later. See what the best Halloween party in New Orleans looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Krewe of Boo parade in 2026?
Saturday, October 24, 2026. It rolls at 6:30pm. Schedules can change, so confirm the start time the day of.
Is the Krewe of Boo parade free and family friendly?
Yes to both. It is free to watch and family friendly.
Do I need a costume?
Costumes are definitely encouraged, at the parade and at the party.
What should I bring?
A shoulder bag for catching throws, comfortable shoes, water, and some cash. It stays hot and humid in New Orleans even in October.
Are balcony tickets limited?
Yes. We limit tickets to keep the night a true VIP experience, with guaranteed balcony access for every ticket holder. Get your Halloween balcony tickets.
Can I watch the parade and still make the party?
Yes. Cornet is three blocks from Decatur, directly behind Jackson Square. Watch the parade in the street, then walk over. The party runs 9pm to midnight and you come and go as you please.
Keep Reading
- Is New Orleans Crowded on Halloween Night? Here’s What to Really Expect
- Is Bourbon Street Fun for Halloween? Here’s What It Looks Like From the Balcony
- Bourbon Street Balcony Party
Ready for Halloween Weekend?
Watch the parade in the street. Finish the night above it. Grab your balcony tickets.
