October is the best month of the year to be out in a costume. All across the country, whole cities throw themselves into the season with parades, parties, and festivals that draw crowds from everywhere. We’ve organized this guide by state so you can find the fun nearest you — starting with the wildest one of them all down in the Florida Keys. Grab your costume and let’s go.
Florida
Fantasy Fest — Key West
If there’s one October festival that has to top this list, it’s Fantasy Fest. Running October 16–25, 2026, this legendary 10-day costume extravaganza takes over the entire island of Key West. The 2026 theme is “Musical Icons & Iconic Musicals,” and the grand parade — the can’t-miss centerpiece — rolls on Saturday, October 24. Expect elaborate costumes, street parties, and a festival energy unlike anywhere else. It’s an adults-only party in paradise, so plan accordingly, and book your stay early because the island fills up fast.
Louisiana
Krewe of Boo! — New Orleans
New Orleans does Halloween like nowhere else, and the Krewe of Boo! is its official Halloween parade. Rolling Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., the parade is free and open to the public, winding from Elysian Fields Avenue through the French Quarter and Warehouse District. With Halloween itself landing on a Saturday in 2026, the whole weekend turns the Vieux Carré into the “Boo Carré,” packed with themed parties, a zombie run, and more.
Massachusetts
Haunted Happenings — Salem
To talk about Halloween in America is to talk about Salem. The city’s month-long Haunted Happenings festival runs all through October with parades, costume parties, ghost tours, and psychic fairs. 2026 is extra special — Salem marks its 400th anniversary, so expect next-level theatrics, including an attempt to set a world record for the largest gathering of people wearing witch hats. If you want to actually experience Salem rather than shuffle through packed streets, aim for the first half of the month; Halloween night itself gets overwhelmingly busy.
New York
Village Halloween Parade — New York City
Every October 31, Greenwich Village hosts the largest Halloween parade in the world. Running the evening of Halloween night, the Village Halloween Parade sends tens of thousands of costumed marchers — anyone in costume can join in — up Sixth Avenue, alongside giant puppets, live bands, and dancers. It’s free to watch, wildly creative, and a true New York spectacle. Get there early for a good spot along the route.
California
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
On October 31, Santa Monica Boulevard shuts down for the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, one of the largest Halloween street parties in the world. Hundreds of thousands of costumed revelers fill the street for live performances, DJs, over-the-top fashion, and nonstop people-watching. It’s free, it’s outrageous, and it’s a bucket-list Halloween experience on the West Coast.
A Few Tips Before You Go
- Book travel and hotels early — October rooms in festival cities sell out first.
- Dates and details can shift, so always confirm on each festival’s official site before you go.
- Some events are adults-only (looking at you, Fantasy Fest) — check before bringing the whole family.
- Arrive early for parades to claim a good viewing spot along the route.
- Costumes are half the fun — come dressed to join in wherever costumes are welcome.
From the tropical streets of Key West to the witch-hatted crowds of Salem, October turns the whole country into one big costume party. Whichever festival calls to you, come ready to celebrate — and don’t forget your costume.