Here's Proof No One Does Halloween Like Gay New Orleans

Halloween New Orleans is about more than partying. The event has been raising funds for HIV for nearly four decades.

There's really no place like the Big Easy, especially at the end of October. Parties abound, but one is legendary: the aptly-named Halloween New Orleans. The multi-day event/fundraiser for Project Lazarus -- which provides funds to Louisianans living with HIV -- kicked off its 39th iteration on Friday, with The Queen's Ball and Silent Auction. The black tie gala fundraiser at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art featured music from Alexis Tucci (@alexistucci) and Jesse Gannon on keys, drag performances from Debbie with a D (@debbiewithad), Lexis Redd D'Ville (@lexisdville), and Catastrophe Nicole Knight (@catastrophenicoleknight). The Nightmare in Wonderland party followed on Saturday night (with Aquaria in performance!) and the Mad Hatter's Tea Dance on Sunday (stay tuned for pics of those events in future slideshows). Halloween New Orleans was partly sponsored by equalpride; specifically its websites Out.com and OutTraveler.com - alongside Virgin Hotels New Orleans.