Southern Decadence 2025

Southern Decadence 2025 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

• Next Edition: Thursday 28th August 2025 – Monday 1st September, 2025.
• Southern Decadence 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, is one party not to miss.

Confirmed Southern Decadence Circuit Parties 2025

• Thursday to Sunday – 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.
• Thursday to Sunday – The daddy of all parties takes place at The Bourbon Pub & Parade, the official home of Southern Decadence.
• Thursday to Monday – OZ, one of the most popular bars in the city presents 4 days and nights of parties, sexy competitions and camp shows.
• Friday – Don’t miss Bearracuda’s big takeover of The Joy Theater on Canal Street for an epic Saturday night bearfest!
• Saturday – Horse Meat Disco brings their global music collective to The Fillmore for a Saturday night favourite event.
• Saturday – Joe Fiore brings a special edition of Furball to New Orleans on Saturday Night at Santos on Decatur Street,
• Sunday –  Party with the Pornstars at Southern Decadence Fornication – a play party, not a performance.
• Friday to Sunday – Hit It – the sex positive party in secret locations returns for two nights of hardcore fun.

The Pool Parties

• Saturday 30th August – HIT IT, everyone’s favourite horny party presents the Banana Boat Pool Party,  a private pool party featuring a full venue takeover with a pool, hot tub, cabanas, dark rooms, and indoor play spaces.
• Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st August – Renegade Bears Pool Parties Prive’ Community, 628 N. Rampart — men-only, clothing-optional, open bar, pool and hot tub.
• Sunday 31st August – Fruit Salad Pool Party – The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels — DJs, cocktails, and skyline views at the city’s most talked-about rooftop.
• Monday 1st September – Cool Down Pool Party The Railyard NOLA — cabaret by Drew Sebastian, chilled beats, and a relaxed finale to the weekend.
• Monday 1st September – STRUT Tea Dance with Sasha Colby Virgin Hotels Roof Pool Club — drag royalty, tea dance vibes, and rooftop glamour to close the festival.
• Monday – 1st September – Lords of leather Southern Decadence Pool Party – at 3128 Ursulines (Private Residence) from 12pm to 4 pm.  Food and drinks will be provided at this clothing-optional event as we close out decadence with some male bonding. Check out their Facebook Group for more details.

The Drag Brunches

• Saturday 30th August – I Beg Your Parton Drag & Burlesque Brunch – Commons Club at Virgin Hotels — Dolly-themed drag, burlesque, bottomless Moët, produced by Trixie Minx.
• Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st August – Country Club Drag Brunch – The Country Club — legendary daytime brunch with drag shows in a lush garden setting.
• Saturday 30th August – WigSnatchers Drag Brunch – Marigny Brasserie on Frenchmen Street — hosted by Cosette LaFemme & Mistie Bonét, a stylish local favorite.

Southern Decadence Bourbon Street Extravaganza

• Saturday August 30th, 2025  – The Bourbon Street Extravaganza, the FREE outdoor concert produced by Napoleon’s Itch on the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets on Saturday afternoon.

The Southern Decadence Parade

Sunday August 31st, 2025 – The SUNDAY AFTERNOON parade is the traditional Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade.

The 53rd anniversary of Southern Decadence with Grand Marshals.

• The parade formation time is 4:00 P.M.
• The parade starting time is 2:00 P.M.

The Parade Route

• The Southern Decadence Parade begins at the Golden Lantern Bar on Royal Street, then moves:
• Up Royal Street toward Esplanade Avenue
• Turns left onto Esplanade Avenue
• Turns left onto Rampart Street
• Turns left onto St. Ann Street
• Turns right onto Bourbon Street Finishes along Bourbon Street through the French Quarter.

Hotels with Parade Views.

• Balconies along Bourbon Street are the ultimate perch.
• Rooms at hotels like the Bourbon Orleans or Royal Sonesta put you right above the route, with prime views of the costumes and chaos below.
• Book well in advance — many of these spots sell out a year ahead. A balcony wristband or hotel reservation is often the only way up.
• Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter offers Prime balconies at the intersection of Bourbon and Toulouse. One of the best corners for crowd-watching with live music spilling out below.

Bars on the Parade Route

• The Golden Lantern (corner of Royal & St. Ann) is parade tradition, the launch point where the procession officially steps off. The crowd here is dense, noisy, and full of energy.
• Oz and Bourbon Pub & Parade, across from each other on Bourbon Street, are two of the busiest hubs during the parade. Both offer indoor/outdoor flow, balcony options, and guaranteed atmosphere.
• Napoleon’s Itch and the cluster of bars around St. Ann Street form the spiritual heart of Decadence — if you want to be in the thick of it, this is where you’ll end up.

Street Level Views

• Bourbon & St. Ann is the most iconic corner of the entire event. It’s where the crowd presses in tight, costumes spill into the street, and the music doesn’t stop. Expect no personal space, but maximum energy.
• For a slightly more relaxed vantage, Royal Street offers room to breathe with fewer crushes, while still catching the parade at full volume.
• Families, photographers, and those who want a little perspective often choose the edges of the route near North Rampart or Esplanade, where the crowds thin and you can actually see the floats rolling by.

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 all close to the gay bars and clubs

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.