Best Things to Do in New Orleans in October 2026: The Halloween Month Guide
Quick answer: October is the best month to visit New Orleans, full stop. The weather drops to perfect highs in the high 70s-low 80s, the Halloween season turns the city into a month-long event, the Voodoo Festival brings the music, and post-summer crowds haven’t returned yet. If you can only pick one month, pick this one.
What’s the weather like in New Orleans in October?
October averages highs of 80°F and lows of 60°F. Humidity drops noticeably from September. The first cool front usually arrives mid-month — the day everyone notices the air feels different. Rain is less common than summer. UV is moderate. This is the only month you can comfortably do a full day outdoors without melting.
Top things to do in New Orleans in October
1. Halloween in the French Quarter
New Orleans does Halloween bigger than almost any other US city. The Krewe of Boo parade rolls the Saturday before Halloween. Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street are packed every weekend in October. Costumes are encouraged everywhere. See our Halloween-in-NOLA guide for the full breakdown.
2. Voodoo Festival (Halloween weekend)
Three-day music festival at City Park, traditionally on Halloween weekend. Major headliners, smaller and more curated than Jazz Fest. The festival has had on-and-off years — confirm the current year’s lineup before booking.
3. Take a haunted walking tour
October is when haunted walking tours sell out. Book at least a week ahead for any reputable operator. See our guide to the best haunted walking tours.
4. Visit a real cemetery (or 5)
October is when even people who normally skip cemeteries take an interest. The light is perfect, the temperature is comfortable for a 90-minute walking tour, and the seasonal atmosphere amplifies the experience. See our 5-cemetery self-guided guide.
5. Swamp tour at peak season
October swamp tours hit perfect conditions. Cooler temperatures, alligators still active, mosquitoes manageable, and bald eagles starting to return. Wildlife visibility is at its second-highest peak of the year (May is the other). See our swamp tour comparison.
6. Boo at the Zoo (mid-October)
The Audubon Zoo’s family-friendly Halloween event. Kids in costumes, treat stations, less scary than a haunted attraction. Best for ages 4-12.
7. Eat a po’boy at the Po-Boy Festival (mid-November overlap)
The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival is technically the second weekend of November, but October is when the buzz starts and many bars run pre-festival po’boy specials. Worth tracking.
8. Catch a Saints home game
October has 2-3 Saints home games at the Superdome. Even if you’re not a football person, the Saints game day energy in New Orleans is a one-of-one experience. Tailgate Champions Square before kickoff.
What to pack for October in New Orleans
- Light layers (T-shirt + light cardigan/light jacket combo works for most days)
- Long pants or jeans for evenings
- One warmer layer for the late-month evenings (highs of 75°F can drop to 50°F at night)
- Closed-toe walking shoes
- A light rain jacket (October rain is less but still happens)
- Costume essentials if visiting Halloween weekend
- Sunscreen still needed
Common questions about visiting New Orleans in October
Is October a good time to visit New Orleans?
Yes, October is the best month to visit New Orleans. Highs in the high 70s-low 80s, lows in the 60s, lower humidity, Halloween energy citywide, Voodoo Fest, peak swamp tour conditions, and crowds that have not yet hit the convention surge of November.
How hot is New Orleans in October?
Average highs are 80°F and lows are 60°F. The first cool front usually arrives mid-October. Late October can drop to 50°F at night.
What festivals happen in New Orleans in October?
Voodoo Festival (Halloween weekend, City Park), Krewe of Boo Halloween parade (Saturday before Halloween), Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, Beignet Fest, Boo at the Zoo. Plus a packed Halloween nightlife scene every weekend.
Is Halloween a good time to visit New Orleans?
Yes, but book early. Halloween weekend in New Orleans is one of the city’s biggest tourism windows. Hotels in the French Quarter run 2-3x normal prices and sell out 6-8 weeks ahead. The energy is hard to match anywhere else, but plan accordingly.
What should I wear in New Orleans in October?
Light layers — t-shirt or light long sleeve plus a cardigan or light jacket. Long pants for evenings. Closed-toe walking shoes. A warmer layer for late-October cool fronts. Sunscreen still needed.
Can you do swamp tours in New Orleans in October?
Yes, October is one of the best months. Cooler temperatures, alligators still active before winter, mosquitoes have dropped from summer peak, and bald eagles starting to return. Visibility and comfort are at peak.
Are New Orleans haunted tours worth it in October?
Yes, but book early. October haunted walking tours sell out at every reputable operator. Book at least a week ahead. The seasonal atmosphere makes the storytelling hit harder.
Are there bugs in New Orleans in October?
Significantly fewer than summer. Mosquitoes are still around but no longer require DEET to function outdoors. By late October, bugs are largely a non-issue.
If you only have one day in New Orleans in October
Morning: French Quarter walking tour. Lunch on Royal Street. Afternoon: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 self-guided + Garden District. Late afternoon: cocktail at a balcony bar. Early evening: dinner Creole. 8 PM: haunted walking tour through the Quarter. Late night: Frenchmen Street music.
For a 3-day trip in October, swap one day for a morning swamp tour, an afternoon at City Park or NOMA, and a Voodoo Fest evening if it falls on your weekend.
For more on Halloween specifically, see our Halloween in NOLA deep-dive.