Halloween New Orleans Is Throwing an XL-Sized Party, Celebrating 40 Years of AIDS Fundraising

Equalpride is a proud sponsor of Halloween New Orleans.

This year Halloween New Orleans is bigger than ever as they celebrate four decades of raising over $5 million for Project Lazarus, a non-profit based in New Orleans that provides vital support services like housing and clinical care for people living with HIV/AIDS. And they’re looking towards a big future filled with more money raised and even more unforgettable parties. Their theme this year is all about XL, and their three bigger-than-ever events will commemorate their past and celebrate their future of endless possibilities.

Kicking off a weekend of frightful festivities Friday at Joy Theater New Orleans, Halloween New Orleans is “Celebrating 40 Years of XLENCE” with their annual Lazarus Ball. Get decked out in your finest black tie attire for their most formal event that features a silent auction, good cocktails, great entertainment, and the announcement of their 2023 Paul S. Plauche Award honoree. Expect great beats from Matt Suave, who is returning this year to truly take in what New Orleans has to offer.

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Use discount code HNO40 when planning your stay at Virgin Hotels.

“I'm incredibly excited to return to New Orleans for Halloween New Orleans and to be headlining the Friday kick-off event,” Matt shares before teasing what people can expect from the evening. “For the Friday event, I've created an eclectic and disco-influenced musical journey for the black tie event. The night will begin with cocktails and mingling, and we will slowly transform Joy Theater into a dance party.”

Past Halloween New Orleans

Looking towards the future, Halloween New Orleans has a retro-futuristic scream of a time planned for Saturday at The Fillmore New Orleans with “XLR8”, their main event that invites people to dance it up in their most creative costumes. You won’t want to miss their midnight show that is choreographed and cast by Diogo de Lima, and DJ Kitty Glitter returns to lay down some beats to get everyone grooving, and she can’t wait for this XL-sized event to get wild.

“I played Halloween New Orleans in 2018 so I know how wild the outfits get. I can't wait to be a part of the magic set to take over The Fillmore this year! Whether it's spooky, kooky or just sensational, Halloween is everybody's time to shine!” Kitty shares.

Closing out Sunday, get ready for the big event to cap off the weekend with “Super Size Sunday.” Imagine a picturesque tea dance on the banks of the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Riverfront Park, where Joey with the Mustache will DJ some super-sized beats before everyone celebrates with a second-line through the French Quarter. Here's what the returning entertainer had to share what Halloween New Orleans means to them.

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"I couldn’t be more excited to come back to New Orleans for Halloween New Orleans and share some of my favorite jazzy disco house music on Sunday this year!" Joey teases. "For me, Halloween New Orleans is so much more than an event: It’s a family affair — literally! Last year in front of the Jazz Museum, my mom got to hear me DJ for the first time and experience the love of New Orleans and she was hooked. Mom’s joining again this yea, and she’s even bringing her sisters!"

When thinking about the purpose of this wild weekend, Joey can't help but feel proud of the community he's a part of. "I believe that Halloween New Orleans’ support of the Lazarus Project shows the best of the queer community," Joey says. "How we take care of each other has defined us for generations, and Halloween New Orleans creates a perfect opportunity for us to honor our past, celebrate our progress, and lift each other up so that we can all have a bright future together."

Past Halloween New Orleans

Get ready for a larger-than-life event this Halloween with endless parties that celebrate the spooky magic that is created when the LGBTQ+ community comes together. If you’re looking for a place to stay over the weekend, don’t miss out on the great deals Virgin Hotels is offering. As the official hotel sponsor of Halloween New Orleans, Virgin Hotels is proud to be a part of the great work the event does.

“We are thrilled to again be the official hotel sponsor of Halloween New Orleans weekend,” says Director of F&B of Virgin Hotels Steven Rogers. “Being able to provide inclusive and safe lodging, food & beverage, and friendly service to the LGBTQ+ community during this fun-filled weekend is a point of pride for all of us. We don’t shy away from fun at Virgin Hotels, so helping the community gather for a weekend of costumes and conviviality, while supporting Project Lazarus, is an effortless decision. We are grateful for the opportunity to again work with Halloween New Orleans, and being woven into the fabric of our local LGBTQ+ community through our partnership and support.”

Get Your Halloween New Orleans Tickets Now!

Use discount code HNO40 when planning your stay at Virgin Hotels.

Past Halloween New Orleans

Visiting New Orleans during Halloween is a recipe for a spooky good time, but attending this three-day event is even more fun when realizing that all funds raised go to Project Lazarus. When reflecting on the partnership between Halloween New Orleans and Project Lazarus, Executive Director of Project Lazarus Susanne Dietzel stresses just how critical this event is.

“The almost forty year collaboration between Halloween New Orleans and Project Lazarus has been absolutely vital, allowing us to provide housing and life-sustaining services for people living with HIV/AIDS in our community,” Susanne shares. “We are grateful for the continued support of Halloween New Orleans in a region of the country where HIV cases and new infection rates have remained consistently high and where people who struggle with the disease are underserved and nearly invisible.”

And Halloween New Orleans is proud to continue carrying on the mission of Project Lazarus, and only hopes to exceed the great work they’ve already accomplished.

“We are so thrilled to celebrate together on October 27-29th!” Governing Board Member of Halloween New Orleans Jonathan McCarty shares. “In our 40th year we are doing it XL – celebrating the boldness, legacy, and revelry of our mission to support our partner, Project Lazarus. Lazarus's support of the LGBTQIA+ community here cannot go unmentioned – what started as a hospice for people dying of AIDS in 1983 has now become a transitional living facility for folks living with HIV/AIDS to receive treatment, support, and a new lease on life. We're proud to have raised nearly $5 million across the last four decades for them and hope to raise another $5 million in the future.”

Among the sponsors for Halloween New Orleans is Out's parent company, equalpride. As equalpride continues to show its support for the longstanding organization, they have nothing but pride for this year's event.

"Equalpride is immensely proud to sponsor Halloween New Orleans on their milestone 40th anniversary,” said Mark Berryhill, CEO of equalpride. “This year's event not only celebrates its illustrious past, but it also signals a future filled with boundless potential, and we are thrilled to be a part of this journey."

Get ready for an unforgettably ghoulish time this Halloween with three days of XL-sized events that support those living with HIV/AIDS. Make sure to purchase your tickets and passes early at https://www.halloweenneworleans.com/ and follow along on Instagram @halloweennola.

Halloween New Orleans XL 2023 runs from October 27-29th.

Get Your Halloween New Orleans Tickets Now!

Use discount code HNO40 when planning your stay at Virgin Hotels.