HNO Circuit Party New Orleans 2025

Halloween New Orleans, known affectionately as HNO, returns from 24 to 26 October 2025 with the theme Myths & Legends. For more than four decades this three-day celebration has been one of the most spectacular LGBTQ+ Halloween events in the United States, combining circuit-style parties with New Orleans’ legendary spooky voodoo vibes. 

What makes it unique is that it’s also a fundraiser for Project Lazarus, a local organisation providing housing and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, so every ticket purchased contributes directly to the community.

The weekend begins on Friday evening with The Parthenon Ball. Hosted in one of New Orleans’ historic venues such as Gallier Hall, it blends elegance and fantasy, encouraging black-tie looks alongside daring creative costumes. Enjoy cocktails, entertainment, and a silent auction.

Saturday night brings the marquee event: Olympus After Dark, staged at The Fillmore. This is HNO’s legendary costume party, where international DJs, performance artists, and a jaw-dropping costume revue unfold beneath the lights. Attendees often spend months planning their looks, and the result is an atmosphere of theatrical excess that spills well into the early hours of the morning.

On Sunday, the mood shifts to a celebratory finale with Poseidon’s Voyage, a riverboat tea dance on the Mississippi. Dance beneath the Louisiana sun with views of the city skyline, before joining the traditional Second Line Parade through the French Quarter. This procession, accompanied by brass bands and revelers in costume, perfectly captures the carnival spirit of New Orleans.

Tickets range from individual passes, which begin at around USD 90 for single events, to all-access patron packages that climb above USD 1,000 and include VIP benefits. With the French Quarter just steps away from most venues, staying in one of the city’s boutique or luxury hotels ensures you remain close to the action. Costumes are taken seriously at HNO, and with this year’s theme of Myths & Legends, expect to see everything from Olympian gods to mythical beasts parading through the streets.