Southern Decadence 2023

Southern Decadence 2023 New Orleans style!

Southern Decadence started forty-seven years ago as a simple going-away party. As a top gay Labor Day Weekend destination, it has evolved into one of our world’s major annual events.

• Southern Decadence 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. Stay at the stunning Virgin Hotels New Orleans, rated “Superb” by guests and host of official pool parties, beautifully decorated rooms and great location.

The Event

• It is one of the largest annual celebrations and festivals in New Orleans, and has become known as the “Gay Mardi Gras.”
• Visitors begin to arrive on the Wednesday before Labor Day, and generally don’t even think about stopping or going home until the following Tuesday.
• Attendance during previous years have been record breaking with over 300,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants visiting New Orleans for the party.
• Southern Decadence is the fifth largest annual event in the City of New Orleans, exceeded only by Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, and French Quarter Festival.  As Liberace once said, “Too much of a good thing is wonderful.”

The Gay Neighbourhood

• New Orleans’ wildest neighborhood gets even crazier as the French Quarter is packed for the entire event; however, the big day is Sunday. That’s when the Grand Marshals lead the annual walking parade through the streets beginning at 2 p.m.
• The corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets is generally considered to be the epicenter of Gay New Orleans, and even more so during the Southern Decadence festival weekend.
• At that intersection is the largest gay nightclub, The Bourbon Pub video bar and The Parade dance club, which is home to the hottest dancers in town. And most of the city’s main gay attractions are within a few blocks.
• Stay at the Brakeman Hotel, a charming 3 star hotel with a perfect location, spacious rooms. The hotel has been classically restored and is one of our top recommendations in New Orleans.

The Street Parties

• Most street party activities take place in the immediate area of the French Quarter, and the dance parties are in the clubs. Since the gay bars never close, there is something happening around the clock.
• Some of the nation’s best DJs work the crowds to a frenzy. No wonder the weekend is often referred to as Southern DecaDANCE!
• The Bourbon Street Extravaganza, the FREE outdoor concert at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets each night, is one party not to miss.

Confirmed Southern Decadence Circuit Parties 2023

• Aug 31st to Sept 5th, 2023 – The Phoenix Block Party will run each night over the weekend, the place to be! Don’t miss their “Hungfest” Musical Showcase on Friday night.
• Aug 31st to Sept 4th, 2023 – The daddy of all parties takes place at The Bourbon Pub & Parade, the official home of Southern Decadence.
• Sept 1st & 2nd, 2023 – Hit It – the sex positive party in secret locations returns for two nights of hardcore fun.

Awaiting dates for the following events:

• Don’t miss Bearracuda’s big takeover of The Joy Theater on Canal Street for an epic Saturday night bearfest!
• Party with the Pornstars at Southern Decadence Fornication – a play party, not a performance.
• The Ace Hotel will host the annual Southern Decadence edition of the Horse Meat Disco from London.
• Joe Fiore brings a special edition of Furball to New Orleans.

The Pool Parties

• Dates to be confirmed
• Celebrate Decadence at the Pool Parties within the Crown Jewel of the French Quarter, the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 2 pm to 6 pm.
• Join the Renegade Bears for their infamous pool party at The Drifter Hotel, typically on the Friday of the weekend.
• The Virgin Hotel New Orleans hosts the annual NOLA Gay Halloween pre-party.

Southern Decadence Bourbon Street Extravaganza

Friday September 1st, 2023 – The FRIDAY NIGHT parade is a float parade through the streets of the French Quarter presented by Toby LeFort and the Knights of Decadence.

• The parade formation time is 6:15 P.M.
• The parade starting time is 7 P.M.
• There are approximately 15 floats.
• The parade starts at Elysian Fields by Washington Park.
• The parade ends near Bourbon and Ursulines Streets.

The Southern Decadence Parade

Sunday September 3rd, 2023 – The SUNDAY AFTERNOON parade is the traditional Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade. I

• The parade formation time is 1:00 P.M.
• The parade starting time is 2:00 P.M.

The Parade Route 2023

• Awaiting confirmation of the 2023 route. Use the 2022 route as a guide:
• The parade starts at the Golden Lantern, then to Dumaine, Dauphine, St Louis, Rampart, Toulouse, Burgundy, Orleans, back to Rampart, St Phillip, back to Dauphine, St. Anne and ending at Bourbon Pub/The Oz.
• The parade ends at 4:00 P.M.

Southern Decadence, Where to stay?

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

The following NOLA hotels are currently trending with our readers:

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

For more discover our insider’s guide to the best of Gay New Orleans.