Best Cities to Celebrate Halloween for Adults 2024

Halloween is not just a night for kids; it’s a season packed with thrills, costumes, and parties for adults, too! From haunted tours and ghostly parades to extravagant costume parties, certain cities are known for taking Halloween to the next level. Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of the paranormal, or just looking for a good time, here are the best cities for adults to celebrate Halloween in 2024.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans knows how to do Halloween right. With its rich history of voodoo, jazz, and haunted locations, the Crescent City’s Halloween is an unforgettable experience. The city’s famed French Quarter transforms into a parade of spooky and elaborate costumes as locals and tourists gather to celebrate. The Krewe of Boo Parade is a must-see, featuring spooky floats, marching bands, and lively crowds. For those looking to dive into the supernatural side, haunted tours of historic sites and voodoo shops are a thrilling way to explore the city’s ghostly past.

Must-Do: Attend the legendary Krewe of Boo Parade, an adult-oriented Halloween parade that showcases elaborate floats and costumes.
Don’t Miss: Voodoo Music + Arts Experience offers a mix of music, art installations, and Halloween festivities, making for an unforgettable Halloween weekend.
Haunted Hotspot: Explore the ghostly tales of the French Quarter with a haunted walking tour.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is the quintessential Halloween town, thanks to its infamous history with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The city embraces its haunted past, creating a spooky, festival-like atmosphere during Halloween. October in Salem features a month-long series of events known as Haunted Happenings, including candlelit ghost tours, psychic fairs, and even séances. For a dash of history, visit the Salem Witch Museum, then head to local costume parties or a spooky pub crawl for some modern-day Halloween fun.

Must-Do: The month-long Haunted Happenings Festival features a parade, psychic fairs, haunted tours, and costume parties tailored for adults.
Don’t Miss: The Salem Witch Museum offers tours that delve into the town’s haunted past.
Haunted Hotspot: Take a nighttime witchcraft walking tour for spine-tingling tales from Salem’s eerie past.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is a go-to destination for Halloween fun, with larger-than-life parties and themed events around every corner. Sin City’s vibrant nightlife offers a Halloween experience like no other, with iconic parties like the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball and elaborate costume contests at the city’s hottest clubs. For those who want a touch of horror, Fright Dome at Circus Circus provides a terrifying haunted house experience. Fremont Street also hosts Halloween, with costumed performers, live entertainment, and plenty of Halloween treats.

Must-Do: Join the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball—an adults-only Halloween party known for wild costumes, live music, and outlandish performances.
Don’t Miss: The Fright Dome at Circus Circus hosts some of the scariest haunted attractions in the country.
Haunted Hotspot: Visit the Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum for eerie exhibits and haunted artefacts.

New York City, New York

New York City’s Halloween celebration is as bold and diverse as the city. The annual Village Halloween Parade draws thousands of people in incredible costumes, marching through Greenwich Village alongside massive puppets, musicians, and dancers. After the parade, you’ll find some of the best Halloween parties in the country, from rooftop gatherings to haunted house experiences. Historic ghost tours in the West Village provide chills, while events like the Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park add a unique twist to the festivities.

Must-Do: Don’t miss the iconic Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village, one of the biggest Halloween parades in the world. The parade includes amazing costumes, live performances, and incredible energy.
Don’t Miss: Blood Manor is NYC’s top haunted house, with multiple terrifying rooms and actors.
Haunted Hotspot: Enjoy a ghostly tour through Greenwich Village, known for its haunted history and eerie legends.

Los Angeles, California

Hollywood’s favourite spooky season goes all out for Halloween, with incredible events, celebrity-hosted parties, and iconic haunted attractions. Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights features top-notch haunted mazes and immersive horror experiences. At the same time, the famous West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval attracts thousands of people in some of the most elaborate costumes you’ll see. LA also has its own ghostly past, and haunted tours of old Hollywood hotels and theatres give you a look at the city’s eerie side.

Must-Do: The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is a free outdoor costume event that brings out L.A.’s best and most creative costumes.
Don’t Miss Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is famous for its terrifying haunted mazes and live horror performances.
Haunted Hotspot: Take a haunted Hollywood tour or explore the Queen Mary in Long Beach, a haunted ship-turned-museum.