The Weekend Playbook: Helm a Halloween float, go to a pirate party, and hit up a damn werewolf festival

Event of the Week“Throw me something, monster”! It wouldn’t be Halloween time in NOLA without a parade, and the Krewe of Boo scares up a killer one every year, featuring 13 macabre floats (that are still in need of riders, HELLO!”). Click here to learn more

And if you’re all dolled up in your scariest (or sluttiest) costume, make sure to hit the after-party at Mardi Gras World East, featuring music by Flow Tribe and the Pimps of Joytime. More on that here

Thursday, October 24thAvast, ye maties and scalawags! Whether you need a belly o’ grog or a rest from swabbing the poop deck (hehehe, “poop”), the Rusty Nail will be in full maritime swing with its Tall Ship Celebration on Thursday. Aye, thar also be a rum raffle and sea shanties. Set sails in this direction

Friday, October 25thAll Hallows Eve weekend begins, in fine form, with Endless Night Weekend, every goth kid’s vampire dream come to life. In conjunction with the big Vampire Ball, the weekend promises opening ceremonies, an international Vampire Court (with vendors -- a blood bank, perhaps?), a vampire pub crawl, the ball, and an Inner Sanctum Soiree, but only if you have platinum-level tickets. Or you’re an actual vampire. Click here for details

Have you had Interview with the Vampire on constant loop on your DVR for the past few weeks in anticipation of Halloween? No? Well get it together dammit, because UndeadCon is here; a weekend filled with devotees to the (literary) vampire life, and all your favorite fang-fic authors will be there there! Read the full story (under the covers with a flashlight) here

Speaking of blood-sucking fiends, didja know it’s been a whole 25 years since the Anne Rice fan club got its spooky start? Well, if you did, you’re probably also the kind of person who might want to check out the Vampire Lestat Reunion Ball, this year featuring Queen of the Dead, Ms. Rice herself (!). Fangs recommended, but not required. Details this way

Saturday, October 26thIf you don’t know what a “rougarou” (or “loup-garou”) is, maybe it’s best, because folks in Louisiana know it to be the Cajun werewolf. So, it stands to reason that there would be a festival celebrating it, featuring a rougarou run (a challenge course plagued by zombies) and a Halloween parade. Howl on over here for more

Wanna get your Halloween groove on “in da club?” Check out the Metropolitan, which is going to have three rooms of scary/sexy debauchery featuring a bunch of DJs and other shenanigans at their Haunted Halloween Bash. For more, click here

You know why the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is the coolest philharmonic orchestra ever? Because they’re going to be playing the original score to Hitchcock’s Psycho LIVE with a screening of the film, that's why. Yes, mother, I know I can find details by clicking here

Sunday, October 27thIf all the scary monsters and super creeps in New Orleans are starting to get to you by the end of the weekend, head over to Larose for the French Food Festival to restore your soul by feeding your face, featuring over 20 local specialty dishes and more. There will almost definitely be frog legs. Find out more here