Krewe of Boo Parade

Head to New Orleans for Krewe of BOO!, the city's official Halloween parade, rolling on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The parade turns the French Quarter into what organizers call the "Boo Carre," with floats, costumed riders, and marching groups moving from the Faubourg Marigny through the Quarter to Canal Street and the Warehouse District.

What to expect

Krewe of BOO! rolls 14 floats built by Kern Studios, the same team behind much of New Orleans' Mardi Gras float work, carrying more than 500 costumed riders. More than 35 marching bands and dance krewes join the route, throwing Halloween-themed beads and trinkets to the crowds along the way. The parade is free and open to the public.

History and legacy

Krewe of BOO! began in 2007 as a Hurricane Katrina relief fundraiser, founded by Carnival float-building figure Blaine Kern Sr. After a pause, the parade returned in 2013 and has grown into New Orleans' official Halloween parade, blending Carnival-style float pageantry with Halloween costumes and themes.

The French Quarter's LGBTQ+ scene

The parade route runs directly through the French Quarter, home to one of the country's most established gay bar strips. The stretch of Bourbon Street near St. Ann and Dumaine, historically known as the Lavender Line, includes Café Lafitte in Exile, the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States, along with Oz New Orleans, Bourbon Pub & Parade, and Good Friends Bar, all within a few blocks of the parade route.

Plan your trip

Krewe of BOO! anchors a full Halloween weekend in New Orleans, with an official after-party and other events running alongside it. Staying in the French Quarter puts you within walking distance of both the parade route and its gay bar scene. Book from a selection of the best gay-friendly hotels in New Orleans to be close to both.