Halloween in Paris: Where to Go from the Latin Quarter
Posted in Paris le 18 October 2026
This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday: 31 October 2026 is ideal for a Halloween night in Paris before All Saints’ Day on Sunday. With medieval lanes and centuries-old institutions, the Latin Quarter has plenty to send a shiver down your spine after dark, and several events in the 5th arrondissement join in this year: an immersive show, a murder mystery in a science museum and activities at the menagerie. For partygoers, major costume nights are a little further away but remain accessible from rue Mouffetard. Here are the best options, from family programmes to partying through the night.
Halloween 2026: the festivities calendar
31 October 2026 is a Saturday during the French All Saints’ school holidays. Although most parties take place on 30 and 31 October, several activities begin much earlier: Le Parc de l’Étrange at Parc André-Citroën runs from 16 to 31 October, and the Jardin des Plantes menagerie offers holiday activities from 17 October to 1 November.
The next day, Sunday 1 November, is All Saints’ Day. Cemeteries welcome many families, so costumes and festivities should be kept away from these places of remembrance. Sunday is better suited to a quiet day, ideal for a Jardin des Plantes walk or a museum visit after the previous evening.
Thrills in the 5th arrondissement
There is no need to go far for a fright. Three 2026 events take place in the 5th, within walking distance of Hôtel de l’Espérance.
At 47 rue du Cardinal-Lemoine, a few minutes from place de la Contrescarpe, the Grand Hôtel des Rêves presents “Légendes et Cauchemars” from 23 to 31 October, for over-12s. Further north, the Musée Curie hosts a murder mystery called “Dossier 226” on 31 October, an opportunity to become an investigator in a place steeped in scientific history.
For families, the Jardin des Plantes menagerie at 57 rue Cuvier offers All Saints’ holiday activities from 17 October to 1 November, for ages 6 and over. The gardens themselves remain free to enter: our guided visit to the Jardin des Plantes provides useful information for combining activities with a walk.
If you are happy to take the metro, two other events suit families. The Musée de l’Homme at Trocadéro offers family challenges on 31 October and 1 November, with a night-time investigation for adults on 30 October. Le Parc de l’Étrange, at Parc André-Citroën in the 15th until 31 October, is also aimed at families. With children, choosing daytime activities leaves the evening free for a quiet neighbourhood dinner.
A spine-tingling cinema evening
Cinema is a dependable Halloween choice, and the Left Bank has plenty. On 30 and 31 October, Les 3 Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement hosts Celtic Horrors, an Irish horror-film festival. It is an original alternative to major parties, a few streets from the Jardin du Luxembourg.
On the Right Bank, the Grand Rex hosts a Halloween film night from 31 October for over-12s. The Musée Guimet in the 16th offers a “Nuit K-Horror” devoted to Korean horror cinema that evening. Each screening has its own times and prices: check the organiser’s website.
Where to spend Halloween night in Paris
To dance in costume, you need to leave the 5th. Here are the evenings announced by the Paris tourist office for Halloween weekend 2026, with the information available.
| Party | Venue | Date and times | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bal des Monstres | Palais de Tokyo, 16th arrondissement | 31 October | Prices on the event page |
| Halloween party | Bridge Club, port des Champs-Élysées, 8th arrondissement | 31 October | Costumes encouraged; online tickets |
| Haunted Dollhouse | Pachamama, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, 12th arrondissement | 31 October, 10.30 pm – 5.30 am | €40 including one drink; no reservations |
| Fiesta de los Muertos | La Bellevilloise, 20th arrondissement | 31 October, 9 pm – 6 am | Prices on the event page |
| Monsterdom 2026 | Dock B, Pantin | 31 October, 11 pm – 6 am | Costumes compulsory; online tickets |
| Dream Nation | Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre | 30 – 31 October | Two-night festival |
For a more intimate atmosphere, Latin Quarter bars remain a good option before or after a party. Our selections of the best Latin Quarter bars for a cosy evening and hidden bars in Paris suggest places to begin or end your night.
Getting back late with peace of mind
Transport is very busy on Halloween night. Plan your return before leaving: Censier-Daubenton on line 7 and the RER B at Port-Royal are closest to the hotel. For parties ending at dawn, Noctilien night buses and taxis take over when the metro stops running.
Walking back is pleasant if your evening is in the Latin Quarter: streets around place de la Contrescarpe and rue Mouffetard often stay lively at night, while quieter rue Pascal lets you sleep well afterwards.
Spending Halloween weekend in the Latin Quarter
Staying locally lets you enjoy the evening without worrying about the last train. Hôtel de l’Espérance, a four-star hotel at 15 rue Pascal, is in the Mouffetard neighbourhood in the heart of the 5th arrondissement, within walking distance of local events.
Reception is open 24 hours, so you can return at any time. The next morning, breakfast is served until 10.30 am in the dining room or your room, for a gentle recovery. With 38 rooms decorated in a 1970s-inspired style, the hotel welcomes couples and groups of friends celebrating Halloween in Paris.
Your Halloween evening from the Latin Quarter
For Halloween 2026 from the Latin Quarter: in the 5th, “Légendes et Cauchemars” at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves, the Musée Curie murder mystery and Jardin des Plantes activities; for cinema, Celtic Horrors at Les 3 Luxembourg; for dancing, the Palais de Tokyo, Bridge Club, La Bellevilloise or Monsterdom. Book early, plan your return and remember All Saints’ Day the following day.
With a base in the heart of the neighbourhood, enjoy Halloween night freely. All that remains is to choose your room.