Spooktacular

Halloween is coming! Here are the Top 5 best street parties to scare up the sexy

Halloween in Wilton Manors/Fort Lauderdale instagram.com/p/BpoN1ksl3hI/

Halloween is the high holy day of the gay world, when having fun can be very serious business with elaborate costumes. Everyone can act out their most devilish fantasies while hidden behind some makeup and a mask. And of course many a gay boy has used Halloween as an excuse to dress in drag.

The traditional queer neighborhoods have become the epicenter for Halloween celebrations around the U.S., where the costumes can be as outlandish as the shenanigans both at parties and on the street. Here are five of the biggest, craziest Halloween hubs, where you can get lots of attention with your costume while hiding in the anonymity of a big crowd.

Village Halloween Parade, New York

 
 
 
 
 
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The crowds at the Halloween parade in New York City are absolutely packed with people, as the parade on Oct. 31 marches north along 6th Ave. from Spring St. to 16th St. (Don’t even bother trying to cross 6th anywhere along the route, because there are police blockades along the sidewalks.) Some people march in the parade just so they can get out of the crowds and see what is going on. The costumes are always epic, so dress to impress. 

Northalsted Halloween Parade, Chicago

 
 
 
 
 
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There are parties all over Chicago that start the weekend before the big night, and then the Chicago Halloween parade kicks off on Oct. 31 from the intersection of Halsted and Belmont, in the Boystown neighborhood of Lakeside. They are giving away $500 prizes for costumes in various categories, and the best group gets $1,000!

Halloween New Orleans (HNO)

 
 
 
 
 
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The big gay Halloween party in New Orleans happens the weekend before, at The Fillmore New Orleans, with the biggest event on Saturday night. (Get more info and check out the promo video here.) Then, of course, there is no city that celebrates All Hallow’s Eve more than New Orleans, the city of witchcraft and voodoo and an entire season of American Horror Story! Head to The French Quarter, and join the mayhem.

Wicked Manors, Fort Lauderdale

 
 
 
 
 
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Halloween in Wilton Manors is so much fun! The main stage is in the parking lot by Georgie’s Alibi and Hunters, but much of Wilton Drive is blocked off for the night and there are multiple stages along the street. Costumes are a little more casual here than in other celebrations, but the weather is still hot in October, so just wear something sexy. There is a $5 charge to get in, so wear a costume with at least one pocket that can hold some cash.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, Los Angeles

 
 
 
 
 
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The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval used to be called a “parade,” but over the years it has become so crowded, it is now a free-for-all with people wandering around shoulder-to-shoulder while admiring each other’s costumes. To join the biggest party in LA, take a car service to Santa Monica Blvd. between Doheny and La Cienega—do not even dream of driving yourself, because you will never find parking! Drinking alcohol on the street is not allowed, but there are lots of bars on Santa Monica Blvd. (like Micky’s, above), and of course people often just show up already drunk. Or perhaps they haven’t stopped the party since attending Halloweenie at The Belasco Theater, Oct. 25 this year.

 

 

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