New Orleans to Host 50th Anniversary of 'Interview with the Vampire' This Halloween

NEW ORLEANS – This Halloween, New Orleans will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Anne Rice's classic novel, "Interview with the Vampire," with a series of events from October 23 to November 1. Christopher Rice, Anne's son and a bestselling author, will join Eric Shaw Quinn, a close friend and collaborator of Anne Rice, to commemorate this milestone in the city central to the novel's setting.

First published in 1976, "Interview with the Vampire" tells the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, who becomes a vampire through Lestat. The novel has become a cultural phenomenon, significantly influencing the modern Gothic genre.

A special 50th anniversary edition was released by Knopf on October 6, featuring a new foreword by bestselling author Leigh Bardugo, an afterword by Christopher Rice with insights into the novel's background, and exclusive pages from Anne's original manuscript. This edition boasts a foil-embossed jacket, blood-red sprayed edges, and marbled endpapers.

Anne Rice, born in New Orleans in 1941, passed away in 2021 and was laid to rest in her hometown. Previously, in 2025, Rice and Quinn produced the successful live event, "Anne Rice: An All Saints' Day Celebration," along with a documentary titled "Anne Rice: A Life in Stories."

The planned events for Halloween Week include:

- Saturday, October 24: Rice and Quinn will serve as Co-Grand Marshals for New Orleans’ Official Halloween Parade, featuring an Anne Rice-themed float, with costumes crafted by local artisans.

- Sunday, October 25: A screening of the 1994 film adaptation of "Interview with the Vampire" will take place at The Prytania Theatres, followed by a Q&A with Rice and Quinn, moderated by local bestselling author Alys Arden.

- Friday, October 30: The 38th Annual Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club Ball will be held, gathering costumed fans from around the world in a sold-out celebration of Rice’s work.

- Saturday, October 31: Rice and Quinn will discuss their experiences with Leigh Bardugo at the Garden District Book Shop and Loyola University’s Roussel Performance Hall. The discussion will be recorded for their podcast, Dinner Partners, with each ticket including a copy of the 50th anniversary edition.

Rice and Quinn expressed their excitement about the events, highlighting that Halloween week is an ideal time to honor Anne’s legacy and the enduring impact of "Interview with the Vampire." For more details, visit AnneRice.com.