With only a few days standing between us and the annual Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, it’s time to start planning out the weekend.
Voodoo offers more than just a wide array of musical talent, and the festival provides interactive art installations, the best food New Orleans has to offer, and the spookiest presence in all of America this Halloween weekend.
It can at times be quite overwhelming to see, feel, and experience everything this festival and city has to offer, so here’s 10 things YOU MUST DO at Voodoo Music + Arts Experience:
1. Dress Up
Being that it is Halloween weekend in one of the most creative and outrageous cities in the world, please come prepared. You need to not only plan your Halloween outfit, but your two extra outfits for the rest of the fest.
You see, Voodoo provides you with the freedom of embodying the full Halloween spirit for not just one day, but an entire weekend. Just another perk of attending this awesome festival.
2. Eat Local
Voodoo not only has an impressive musical lineup, but also boasts a tasty lineup of local New Orleans eats. From crepes to seafood to fried soul food, you NEED to try something new at this delectable festival.
Hello King Cake burgers and endless fried duck quesadillas. YES! Ditch the regular Halloween candy and try some culture instead.
3. Go Voodoo Green
It should go without saying that everyone should pick up after themselves at any event or festival. But, sometimes this is forgotten in the mix of all the fun. Voodoo is here to remind you by offering rad incentives such as exclusive merch for your cleanly efforts.
Be on the lookout for water bottles, cans, and all that recyclable goodness because another man’s trash might just be your treasure (aka a new voodoo t-shirt).
4. Get Ready for the Artistic Edge
Flying birds, big tarantulas, and moving faces, OH MY! Voodoo is on point with their interactive art installations, and virtually everything can be controlled by the patrons on the “Face Forward” installation including the eyebrows, mouth, and eyes.
The flying bird known as Fledgling welcomes guests to climb up the steel staircase into the control room so each can control the birds movements with the pedal bike cranks. Don’t be afraid to interact with these pieces, they’re just art after all!
5. Support Voodoo Vendors With the Marketplace
Remember when we talked about food? And how awesome it is? Well, food isn’t the only thing the locals are bringing to Voodoo. The Voodoo vendors embody the soul and characteristics of the city of New Orleans.
Here in the marketplace you can find handcrafted jewelry, live art paintings, and local souvenirs you can’t find anywhere else. You’ll also find some of New Orleans best nonprofits and local businesses.
6. Live the Good Life With the Voodoo VIP Experience
Voodoo doesn’t offer the typical “VIP” festival experience. In fact, VIP isn’t even a term in the Voodoo dictionary. Instead the festival offers “LOA” and “Cabana” arrangements. LOA is the ticketing option that allows patrons to access the best amenities the festival has to offer. These include prime time viewing areas of the Le Plur stage and Altar stage, express entry, free massages, and even free carnival rides!
Purchasing the Cabana option will get you and your homies everything included in the LOA option plus private tables with bottle service, limited edition gear, and even golf cart privileges. Pick your poison and enjoy the best that Voodoo has to offer.
7. Rage it Up at the Le Plur Stage
Production. Production. Production. HARD, the Los Angeles based company and entertainment titan sponsors the world renowned Le Plur stage.
Packing in the best sound system, lasers, lights, and overall production – this stage is by far a Voodoo favorite. Put on your dancing shoes and prepare for a wild night filled with out of this world entertainment!
8. Find the New Orleans Soul With the Local Lineup
Sure, Voodoo hails some of the biggest headliners in all of the music industry, however, sometimes people forget the smaller names of the festival are headliners of their own.
Local New Orleans’ favorites Flow Tribe, Quickie Mart, and more will all grace the festival with their local magic. For the full Voodoo experience make sure to catch their sets.
9. Surround Yourself With the New Orleans Experience
Think Mardi Gras. Oh, you’ve never been to Mardi Gras? Let’s explain… Random outbreaks of marching bands, camel toe lady steppers, and so much more. These random acts of Mardi Gras will be popping up all over the festival! Keep your eyes peeled for some homegrown magic featuring the city’s best holiday.
10. Last But Not Least, Experience the Experience
Don’t get caught up in things like time. Even more importantly, don’t get too sidetracked by things like your phone, or what’s going on at home. This is your weekend to experience one of the best festivals in the country, on the spookiest weekend of the year, and in the craziest city in the world. HAVE FUN!
And there it is, 10 things that you have to do at New Orleans’ Voodoo Festival!
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