Gay Christmas &
New Year’s Eve in New Orleans 2023

Gay Christmas & New Year’s Eve in New Orleans 2023

New Orleans is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas and ring in the new year, from gala dinners to all-night parties, street celebrations and more.

• Are you visiting New Orleans for New Year’s Eve? Stay at the stunning Virgin Hotels New Orleans, rated “Superb” by guests and host of official pool parties, beautifully decorated rooms and great location.

Krampus New Orleans

• Awaiting Dates – Krampus knows when you’ve been naughty, and he doesn’t care if you’ve been nice. The Krewe of Krampus returns with the largest Krampus parade in America, full of all sorts of Christmas monsters and characters.
• The Sisters of SHHH, the Y’ules, and our two new troupes, the Barbegazi and Dance of the Edelweiss, will all be there, so beware.

Holiday Parades

• In New Orleans, there’s never a bad time for a parade. And when it comes to holiday parading, there’s no better way to celebrate than with the New Orleans Holiday Parade and Jingle on the Boulevard parades.
• Put on your Santa hat and watch floats, reindeer, stilt performers, snowmen, and fantastic live jazz musicians stroll by.
• Typically the first Saturday of December – Holiday Parade – The French Market through Downtown, ending with a holiday experience and concert in Lafayette Square from 1–3 pm!
• Typically the last Saturday before Christmas Day at noon – Jingle on the Boulevard – Jingle on the Boulevard celebrates the holiday season throughout New Orleans East by highlighting the local retailers, restaurants, and shops along its trail. Follow along as the parade rolls down Crowder Boulevard to Haynes Boulevard, making its way to Read Boulevard and strolling to Lake Forest Plaza.

Luna Fete

• Awaiting dates – LUNA Fête is a free and public interactive light festival held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park.
• This attraction is the perfect place to make new and cherished holiday memories, featuring innovative light and projection art, jaw-dropping visuals, and colourful performances. The event also features local food, drink and craft vendors serving the best regional flavours and ingenuity. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

NYE Countdown Jackson Square

• For the biggest party in the city, head to Jackson Square for the annual NYE countdown.
• The Quarter is packed with festive partygoers eager to countdown the arrival of the new year.
• Just as New York has the Ball drop, New Orleans has the Fleur De Lis drop, followed by fireworks over the Mississippi.
• Events kick off at 10 pm with live music and shows. Arrive early.
• Jackson Square is a historic and iconic meeting space in New Orleans and is always a hub for local events.
• Check out the best places to stay and grab a hotel deal in the French Quarter; just a two-minute walk from the square.

Fireworks Viewing Points

• Crescent Park offers fantastic views along the Mississippi, giving visitors an excellent view of the annual fireworks show.
• The park stays open until 1 am for the New Year’s eve celebrations and can be accessed via Bywater and Faubourg Marigny.
• Those looking to see the display against the New Orleans skyline can take the Algiers/Canal Street ferry to Algiers Point.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade

• The New Year’s eve parade is a Mardi Gras style parade kicking off at 2 pm on New Year’s Eve.
• The parade begins at the “bottom” of the Quarter, where it meets Faubourg Marigny at Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street intersection.
• It moves through the French Quarter, past some of that neighbourhood’s most iconic landmarks, including the French Market and Jackson Square.
• Events culminate with a two-minute finale show on Decatur Street at 3 pm.
• The offbeat Marigny district is known for its Cajun bistros, bohemian bars and jazz clubs, especially along Frenchmen Street.

Gay NYE Parties in New Orleans.

• NYE at The Bourbon Pub Parade – Two Floors, the party kicks off at 4 pm and until 2 am. Hosted by Aubery Sinclaire with DJ Liz, Chris Allen, and Bill Hincks, complete with a Cash Balloon Drop at Midnight.
• The Phoneix – New Year’s Eve kicks off at 9 pm with the Men of Onyx Beer Bust, followed by music all night long with DJ Sammy Jo.
• OZ Bar – Events kick off at 5 pm with “Dance Bitches Dance”, followed by Drag Bingeaux at 6.30 pm and Misc4Misc counting down the New Year.
• Stay close to all the gay parties along Bourbon Street at the Hotel St.Marie rated “Fabulous” by guests just steps from all the events.

Drag Shows

• True to New Orleans’ spirit, the Drage scene is a melting pot of queer culture, with stage acts blending the lines between the worlds of Drag and Burlesque.
•  The Sisters of Saint Claude – Held bi-weekly on Fridays at 10 pm at The Allways Lounge & Cabaret, The Sisters of St. Claude is a Drag and Burlesque variety revue featuring a rotation of local favourites and special guests!
• Freaky Friday at Oz – Drag show hosted by Ivy Dripp and JoJo (with DJ Tim Pflueger) features acts that celebrate glam and horror! The show is 21+, and tickets are $5 at the door.
• You can find The Country Club’s infamous drag brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 am & 1 pm Featuring classic drag acts; one thing is for sure: you’ll want to plan ahead, as these brunches get booked up to several months in advance.

Recommended Hotels in New Orleans

The best place to stay is in the French quarter, which is where you will find most of the gay bars and clubs,

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action

The Roosevelt Hotel,    Omni Royal,    Royal Sonesta Hotel,    French Market Inn.