Event Dates
From: Thursday, Sep 2nd, 2021
To: Monday, Sep 6th, 2021
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 annualevents. It is one of the largest annual celebrations and festivals in New Orleans, and has become known as the “Gay Mardi Gras.” People 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 in 2017 broke all records, with over 210,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants,
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.”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 theme for 2017 was Electrified, and the official colors were “All Colors in Neon,” as announced at the Grand Marshals’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.
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.
Guest DJs for 2017 were Kidd Madonny (an encore to his amazing performances the past several years), the legendary DJ Robbie Leslie (spinning a very special Sunday Tea Dance), and DJ Whitney Day. They joined New Orleans resident DJs Sean Michael, DollaBill and J Rock. VJs Brendan Thompson and Chris Allen served the video entertainment at The Bourbon Pub.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, will return in 2018 for its fourteenth anniversary show on
Saturday afternoon, September 1st. In 2017, Superstar Deborah Cox returned for her third time to headline the Bourbon Street Extravaganza. She was joined by Zoe Badwi (the Australian Dance Diva / Pop sensation), and Jeanie Tracy (the Queen of Southern Decadence, returning for her 13th consecutive year)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 SUNDAY AFTERNOON parade is the traditional Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade. It is a walking parade with no motorized vehicles except for one truck at the front of the parade that will carry the sound system for the Southern Decadence Grand Marshals’ entourage.
- The parade formation time is 1:00 P.M.
- The parade starting time is 2:00 P.M.
- The parade starts near Decatur and Barracks Streets.
The beat 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.
Book your hotel in advance & save money
Book Now and Pay on arrival!
The Hotel Monteleone is where we stay
in New Orleans, close to all the gay bars.
For information and advice on
Southern Decadence visit The 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.
In the heart of the French Quarter, the three-story residence is within walking distance of Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, the Superdome. One of the only newly constructed buildings in the area, it is complete with high-end finishes & offers the perfect balance of historic charm & modern elegance.
The absolute Heart of the French Quarter, a two bedroom exposed brick large space, perfect for entertaining yet quiet and comfortable enough to relax. Entrance from the 500 block of Bourbon, through your private alleyway, up to your open air expansive getaway. Balcony overlooking Bourbon Street
Located on the residential side of Bourbon St. you will enjoy the quietness at night and sleep like a baby a few steps all the action of Bourbon and the Marigny area. This mansion was built in the 1830s n was recently converted into Luxury condos. Ideally located for Mardi Gras, Jazz fest, French Quarter festivals
This one-bedroom vacation home is in the middle of the French Quarter, just steps from Bourbon Street. The apartment is sunny and spacious, with two separate balconies – one off the living area overlooking the street, and one off the bedroom in the back of the unit which overlooks the quiet courtyard
Highlights on video of the Southern Decadence event in New Orleans.
The gay bars and clubs are centred around the French Quarter, so we suggest you try and find a hotel in this district. The area has many boutique hotels offering a traditional Louisiana welcome.
The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans features an outdoor pool and a 2,300 square-foot gym. The elegant hotel features The Rooftop Bar, a full-service spa and rooms with a 42-inch flat-screen TV. WiFi is available at a costs
Located on the most fashionable corner, St. Louis at Royal, the hotel has received the 4-diamond luxury award for the past 27 years. Whether you’re visiting New Orleans for work or play this hotel is truly the place to see and be seen.
Located in the historic French Quarter on Bourbon Street, Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans offers accommodation with an outdoor pool, multiple bars, and a jazz club. The hotel is decorated with modern art.
Situated in the French Quarter, this New Orleans hotel was built in the 1800s and provides simple rooms with Air-conditioning, desk cable TV & coffee facilities. Guests are a 5-minute walk from Jackson Square.