Event Dates
From: Sunday, March 31, 2024
To: Sunday, March 31, 2024
The Gay Easter Parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar.
The Gay Easter Parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar and many gay-owned restaurants and retail shops.
- Easter packs the city, so book early. Check out the best places to stay and grab a hotel deal in the French Quarter, the heart of all the weekend’s festivities.
Good Friday Kick Off
- Good Friday – The festivities kick off on Good Friday with Bunnies in the Big Easy, a gay soiree featuring live entertainment, an open bar, raffles, and of course, plenty of bunny boys.
- Tony Leggio’s annual event held at the historic Hotel Ste. Marie (827 Toulouse Street) located in the heart of the French Quarter. All the proceeds raised this evening goes towards The Official Gay Easter Parade and Food for Friends, a division of CrescentCare.
The Parade
- Easter Sunday, from 4.30pm – Participants ride horse-drawn carriages or floats while wearing showy versions of their Easter Sunday finest.
- Don’t be surprised if you see a gaggle of motorcycle dudes in leather and Easter bonnets might roar by. Spectators can expect to see (and catch!) plenty of beads and other throws.
- Stay right on the parade route at the Best Western Plus French Quarter Courtyard Hotel, just 10 minutes walk to Bourbon Street.
The Parade Route
- The route begins at the Armstrong Arch on St.Ann, then heads along Bourbon, making its way across Esplanade, then up along Royal before it turns on St Louis before ending on Burgundy at Betty’s.
- Betty’s is a locally owned, LGBTQ-friendly tavern with pub grub, regular drag shows & outdoor tables. The party continues late into the evening.
- Stay close to the parade and the end of the route at the Maison Dupuy Hotel, with a beautiful outdoor pool and charming decor.
The Easter Bonnet Contest
- The Easter Bonnet Contest is held at Good Friends Bar, a neighborhood bar at the corner of Dauphine and St. Ann streets in the French Quarter.
- Anyone can join in and some of the bonnet entries can get pretty outlandish. The crowd votes for the winners, and you can almost certainly expect to hear impromptu renditions of Irving Berlin’s classic song for the occasion, “Easter Parade.”
Where to stay in New Orleans during Easter?
Stay close to all the gay bars and clubs in the French Quarter. (Vieux Carré)
The following New Orleans hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the Easter celebrations:
The Roosevelt Hotel, Omni Royal, Royal Sonesta Hotel, French Market Inn.
Book your hotel in advance
Book Now and Pay on arrival!
Hotel Monteleone is where we stay when
in New Orleans, close to the gay bars
For information and advice on
The Gay Easter Parade Website
If you want to be close to all of New Orleans famous attractions, including the top gay-nightlife options in the city, the French Quarter remains the hub of where to stay, with dozens of hotels of all types and grades.. Adjacent to the Quarter and just downriver, you’ll find a number of gay-friendly smaller properties in historic and trendy Faubourg Marigny, which is also home to several gay-popular restaurants and bars.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in New Orleans that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Some great shots of people enjoying Gay Easter Parade New Orleans
New Orleans doesn’t have distinct gay neighbourhoods in the same way as some other cities like West Hollywood or Chelsea in New York City. However, the city is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and you’ll find gay-friendly establishments and events scattered throughout various neighbourhoods, especially along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.
Photo: Laissez les bons temps rouler! Bourbon Street is at the heart of Gay NOLA.
Downriver from the French Quarter with colourful, eclectic houses & a vibrant arts scene along Frenchman St.
East of the Marigny and close to Crescent Park with stunning views of the River and the NOLA skyline.
Known as the Arts District, perfect for art enthusiasts & museum-goers with trendy restaurants & boutique hotels.
The CBD offers easy access to Bourbon Street and a variety of dining options, shops, and cultural attractions.