COSTUME COUTURE
NOLA Craft Culture
NOLA Craft Culture in Mid-City has built a reputation for being one of the best resources for costuming and craft construction in the city, with an outstanding selection of glitter (and its accompanying adhesives), feathers, makeup and eyelashes, headdress and glitter-shoe making supplies, classes and much more. Each October the shop transforms a small plot into a dazzling glitter pumpkin patch with an array of fabulous faux squashes, along with Halloween celebrations and costume making items. This year’s “Big Top Circus” theme includes creepy clowns, carnival craziness and lots of fun (Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 12 to 5 p.m.). 127 S. Solomon St., 504-454-8837, nolacraftculture.com.
Miss Claudia’s Vintage and Costumes
Miss Claudia may be the newest diva/icon on social media, but her namesake vintage clothing and costume shop on Magazine Street has had New Orleanians covered (literally) in glitz and glam for decades. Dig through racks of new and old items to create the scary, spooky, vampish Halloween look of your nightmares…er…dreams. But beware many items are one-of-a-kind so get in fast (and in person) to see the latest and greatest on offer. 4204 Magazine St., 504-897-6310, @missclaudiasvintage.
Fifi Mahoney’s
Top off your spooky look with a fabulous wig from Fifi Mahoney’s in the French Quarter. Carefully designed coifs range from scary to vampy and can be adorned with sparkly spiders, jack o’ lanterns, skulls and other Halloween-y items. While there pick up some finishing touches like eyelashes, jewelry, makeup and more. 934 Royal St., 504-525-4343, fifisfq.com.
Jefferson Variety
From feathers to fabric, glitter, sequins, beads, headdress bases and all-around supply madness (in the best way), Jefferson Variety is the not-so-secret source for costume makers across the city. Stop by, browse, take a number and stock up on the basics for a Halloween look, or plan ahead for Carnival. 239 Iris Ave., Jefferson, 504-834-5222, jeffersonvarietystore.com.
MORE PLACES TO PERFECT YOUR LOOK
She Comes in Peace
Costume pieces, accessories, makeup and more. 2025 St. Claude Ave., 504-766-7841, shecomesinpeace.com.
Miette
Headdresses, handmade items, jewelry and more creative fun. 2038 Magazine St., 504-522-2883, iheartmiette.com.
Broadway Bound
Classic glitz and glamour craft shop with a huge selection of sequins, feathers, fabric and costume making accessories. 2737 Canal St., 504-821-1000. broadwayboundcostumes.com.
Funky Monkey
Vintage clothing, wigs, jewelry and accessories to complete your look are on the rack at this Magazine Street costume (and more) stop. 3102 Magazine St., 504-899-5587, funkymonkeynola.com.
PICK A PUMPKIN
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
You know something special is about to happen when you see strings of lights and truckloads of pumpkins arriving at St. Andrew’s on Carrollton Avenue. Choose from a variety of sizes and shapes, a fall-themed maze, kids’ activities, photo ops and more. 1031 S. Carrollton Ave.
St. Augustine Episcopal Church
St. Augustine Episcopal Church’s “The Great Pumpkin Patch” is festive enough to delight even the ever-vexed Charlie Brown and his autumnal quest for pumpkin magic. Browse rows of pumpkins and gourds, as well as arts and crafts vendors, home-baked goods and more. 3412 Haring Road, Metairie, staugustinesmet.com/pumpkin-patch.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church on Metairie Road hosts its annual pumpkin patch all month long, with pumpkins big and small, plus fall backdrops for family and friend photos. 2216 Metairie Road, Metairie.
DOWN THE ROAD
First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church in Slidell hosts its annual pumpkin patch and 13th annual Olde Towne Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with plenty of pumpkins, gourds, face painting, kids’ activities, live music and food. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Rainbow Child Care Center. 433 Erlanger St., Slidell. rainbowccc.org/olde-towne-pumpkin-festival.
Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch
Pick your own pumpkin right off the vine, explore a corn maze, experience a hayride, enjoy fall food and take fun photos at Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch in Hammond. Admission is cash only and includes activities and one pumpkin. thfarms.com/pumpkin-patch.
Liuzza Land
Liuzza Land celebrates with its annual fall festival, Oct. 3 through Nov. 21 in Amite with a farmer’s market, pumpkin patch, veggie and flower picking, wagon rides and a corn maze. 56453 Holden Circle, Amite, liuzzalandllc.com.
Jim’s Pumpkins (aka Jim’s Trees)
Browse rows of pumpkins, hay and fall-related harvest fun in Old Mandeville. Fill up a basket or wagon with your picks and then stop for a fun fall photo. 2123 Florida St., Mandeville,
@jimstrees.
Banting’s
Banting’s Nursery in Lacome and Bridge City transforms each fall into a pumpkin and autumnal flower wonderland. Shop for gourds, pumpkin packages and more, with fun for all. 3425 River Road, Bridge City; 26300 Highway 190, Lacombe, bantingsnursery.com.
FRIGHTFULLY FUN
Krewe of Boo!
The Krewe of Boo! rolls down Esplanade Avenue (Oct. 24) and into the French Quarter with some of New Orleans’ favorite marching krewes decked out in spooky costumes, floats featuring frightful sights, bands and plenty of parade fun. Additional events include a “Royal Luncheon,” happy hour, zombie run, VIP packages and more throughout the weekend. kreweofboo.com.
Ghosts in the Oaks
Things get a little creepy (in a fun way) in City Park’s Carousel Gardens (Oct. 15-18) with the family friendly Ghosts in the Oaks. This year’s theme combines Halloween fun with an “out of this world celebration.” Tickets include trick-or-treating, amusement park rides, live entertainment and more. Costumes are encouraged for even more fun for all. 7 Victory Ave., neworleanscitypark.org/event/ghosts-in-the-oaks-2/2026-10-15.
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo, benefitting Manning Family Childrens and Audubon Zoo, scares up good family fun (Oct. 16-18) under the oaks. The event includes trick-or-treating for kids under 12, a not-so-scary haunted house and zoo animal interactions. Be sure to wear your creepiest, coolest, funniest costume. 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/boo.
Screamfest
Horror movie fans, grab some popcorn and get ready for big thrills at the 9th annual Screamfest at The Broad Theater (Oct. 16-18). Enjoy indie films, celebrate original writing and screenplays and participate in the audience choice award selection. 636 N. Broad St., screamfestnola.com.
The Mortuary
The Mortuary on Canal Street in Mid-City presents this season’s scare, “Through the Looking Glass,” all October long. The haunt features classic stories and fairy tales come to life, from witches to werewolves, ghosts and ghouls. 4800 Canal St., themortuary.net.
Spirits in the Park
Spirits in the Park free concert series and family fest haunts Coquille Park in Covington Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1. Enjoy all-ages live music, a kids’ zone, food and cocktails for purchase and The Sawmill haunted house experience (a ticketed event) hosted by The Mortuary haunted house in New Orleans. 13505 LA-1085, Covington, spiritsinthepark.com.
The Skeleton House
Enjoy some punny fun on St. Charles Avenue where the Berger family has conjured up an army of costumed skeleton characters on display for decades in their front yard. Stop by and find out who gets skewered this year. 6000 St. Charles Ave. @skeletonhousenola
Ghost Manor
Stroll by Ghost Manor on Magazine Street for a dazzling display of spooky light and sound. The haunted house showcases dancing skeletons, glowing skulls and more, all coordinated with a creepy soundtrack. Suitable for all ages, the Manor is back after taking a year off due to road construction, with opening night Thursday, Oct. 15, and running Thursday through Sunday nights (7 to 10 p.m.) until Halloween night. 2502 Magazine St. (corner of Magazine and Second Streets), ghostmanor.org.
Prytania Movie Theater
The Prytania Theater Uptown hosts its annual “Kill-O-Rama” with scary and (not-so scary) films for all, with screenings Oct. 23-31, culminating with the classic “Halloween.” Visit the theater’s website for the full line up of movies, times and tickets. 5339 Prytania St., 504-891-2787, theprytania.com.
Jack of All Shades
Orange | Traditional Halloween jack o’ lanterns celebrating spooky season, fall fun and pumpkin-spiced themes.
Teal | Bright teal pumpkin buckets signify a food allergy for many trick-or-treaters on the hunt for festive alternatives to candy, such as stickers, temporary tattoos, bubble wands and glo-sticks.
Blue | Shades of blue buckets indicate a trick-or-treater may be on the autism spectrum or have sensory processing challenges and therefore may communicate differently or need more time when stopping by for candy or treats.
Purple | Displays of purple pumpkins or those carrying purple buckets can indicate support for the Purple Pumpkin Project, raising awareness of those with epilepsy and possible sensitivity to flashing lights.
