Hundreds of people filled the streets dressed head to toe in costumes ranging from whimsical–there goes a nymph–to spooky–that blood looked a little too real. Overhead, people raised drinks and tossed beads from the balconies to the best-dressed people below.
This was Halloween on Bourbon Street, an electrifying experience that captured the spirit of New Orleans like few other places could.
The iron-wrought balconies, grey Spanish moss draped over ancient oaks, and above-ground cemeteries exuded an old-world mystique that made the city feel alive with history. Here, where the line between the living and the dead blurred, the festive chaos of Halloween fit perfectly into the city’s soulful and otherworldly rhythm.
Two weeks ago, Neumann University sent four students to the College Media Awards Conference in New Orleans, a gathering that drew nearly nine hundred students from across the country and beyond.
On Halloween night, those students along with countless others from the conference found themselves occupied in Bourbon Street’s wild, colorful chaos.
New Orleans is a city that takes Halloween very, very seriously. From the moment you step onto Bourbon Street, it’s clear this isn’t your typical holiday.
“Where’s Waldo?” costumes were everywhere, creating an unexpected scavenger hunt vibe, while superheroes, fairies, and vampires added their own charm. Blow-up costumes were especially popular, producing laughs as they waddled down the pedestrian-only street.
The sidewalks, cracked and weathered from age, spoke to the city’s long history, while industrial spotlights lit up the street like a movie set.
Bright strobe lights pulsed in rhythm with live jazz, bubbles floated through the air, and the smells of gumbo, po’boys, alcohol, and weed created a sensory overload.
It was an amazing experience to be a part of. I will definitely be going back again!
According to local lore, New Orleans embraces its spooky side year-round, but Halloween takes the atmosphere to another level.
The haunting stories of the city add a darker edge to the festivities. At the corner of Dauphine and Orlean Streets stands the infamous Le Pretre House, rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of a murdered Turkish sultan and his five wives.
The parties have long been legendary, in YEAR The New York Times described “monster mashes,” voodoo dances, and costumed revelers parading through the city.”
For all its fun, Bourbon Street on Halloween has its darker moments too.
A 2011 report recounted a bloody Halloween night where gunfire broke out, leaving several people injured. Thankfully, the Neumann students’ experience was nothing but memorable.
Each Neumann student had a unique experience on Bourbon Street.
Catie Sands, who dressed as Pauline from the Mario series, admitted the sensory overload was overwhelming but still found joy in the evening. “I got beads thrown at me!” she said.
Carlos Wylde-Gladbach, who wore a last-minute costume of a mask and apron, found humor in the chaos.
“Earning my beads was fun!” he said.
Even those who didn’t dress up found the night unforgettable.
“I didn’t dress up at all, but that didn’t take away from the experience. The street was twice as packed and louder than usual, with some of the coolest costumes I’ve ever seen.” said sophomore Cole Betham.
Later in the evening, the rainstorm was a highlight for many.
We walked down the center of the open street while it was raining, and it almost felt like a scene out of a movie. The moon was bright, with all the lights and sounds still filling the streets.
As the throngs of people disappeared, the wet, shiny pavement reflected the dim streetlights, and the empty street echoed the true spirit of Halloween.
That’s when it really got scary. The energy was different, it was quieter, but in a way that felt more haunting.
For the Neumann University students, the Bourbon Street experience was a surreal ending to an exciting trip for the College Media Awards.
Beyond the chaos and costumes, the night underscored the magic of New Orleans, a city that refuses to do anything halfway, especially Halloween.
