As I write this, I am squished into a middle seat on Southwest Airlines heading East; East for the biggest and best damn gay holiday, a holiday that doesn’t involve family, gifts or politely eating food that you detest.
It’s freakin’ Halloween! The Gay Christmas, the Gay High Holy Day, or simply an opportunity to be creative and get dressed up to get down.
Did I mention that I’m going to the Big Easy for Halloween? Oh. Well, that’s where I will be! And if you are feeling spontaneous, check out one of the other Top 5 Spots to commemorate the Great Gay Holiday!
1. New Orleans
New Orleans knows how to throw a good party – and they know how to create a wonderfully wicked costume as well. The Bourbon Pub and Parade on Bourbon St has a non-stop party from Thursday to Halloween on Sunday, as do most other bars and clubs. Another legend: The Lazarus Project benefit is a 4-day circuit party, giving you ample opportunity to get naughty in that elf costume. Four parties in four unique locations, four days, open bar, and gays from around the world.
And with bars basically open 24 hours, the Big Easy is the place to be for a seriously gay Halloween. It’s not just one day here, or two. It’s a 4-day non-stop party with a diverse group of revelers, and it’s for that reason that New Orleans lands at Numero Uno!
2. West Hollywood Gay Halloween Street Carnival
A close second to New Orleans is WeHo’s annual extravaganza, which is the largest Halloween street party in the United State. With nearly 500,000 people descending on the gayborhood, celebrities and common folk rub elbows and swap spit in the beer garden, at the bars or at the food stands that line the street.
This year they are playing tribute to the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is celebrating its 35 anniversary. There will be an astounding 6 stages of entertainment, with the parade kicking off at 7pm and the revelry continuing until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard! (Sorry, had to do it.)
3. Chicago’s Northalsted Halloween Parade
Chicago has been representing on the gay Halloween circuit for 14 years now, giving it ample street cred. The theme this year is “Little Street of Horrors,” taken from the film “Little Shop of Horrors.”
For the first time ever, they will be having floats! I can only imagine what amazing creativity we will see with this new opportunity, as the parade cuts right through the ‘hood. The parade starts at 6:15pm from Belmont and Halsted, and if the generally wholesome nature of this parade bores you, then just pop into one of the local bars and entertain yourself!
4. Atlantic City
If you are tired of doing the NYC thing, why not head down to AC for Halloween? There is a plethora of events this weekend, anchored by Perez Hilton’s “One Night in…New Jersey.” He has promised a slew of special guest performances, and with Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Katy Perry having performed in past Perez pageants, the odds are good that this will be one unforgettable show.
Harrah’s is also hosting OUT in AC, transforming Halloween into HalloQueen, which means that you can feel comfortable in AND out of your costume this weekend! Designer Richie Rich will be hosting a pool party, Jersey Shore’s JWoww is fist-pumping her own night at Ceasar’s and Margaret Cho and Sandra Bernhard will make you laugh so hard that ghosts will come out of your nose. It’s gonna be a scream!
5. New York’s Village Halloween Parade
NYC made the list, but only by default. At 38 years, it’s the oldest and we must respect our elders! It’s a big party, with lots of people and some amazing costumes. It’s a fantastic experience to walk the parade, and be a part of something that colossal in the City That Never Sleeps.
The parade can get a little crowded and there is a sometimes less community spirit than other, smaller, Halloween celebrations (talking to you, Dudes Gawking From the Sidewalk). Even so, New York still delivers a classic parade – complete with Thriller zombies - and comes in at a respectable fifth. The parade starts from 6th Avenue and Canal.
Happy Halloween, homos! Ghoulishly yours,
Nick V
