Southern Decadence 2021

Steamy, slutty its the hottest party in the South, 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. 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 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.

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.

The Parades

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.

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,

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.

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