Southern Decadence 2025
- August 28, 2025 - September 1, 2025
- New Orleans, LA
Southern Decadence is more than a party; it is one of the largest annual lgbtq+Q+ events in the United States and a signature celebration for New Orleans. What began forty-seven years ago as a small going-away party has grown into an enormous, multi-day festival that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the city over Labor Day weekend. Locals affectionately call it the "Gay Mardi Gras," and with good reason: over five days the city’s French Quarter becomes a carnival of colour, music and revelry, with visitors travelling from around the world to experience its unique blend of Southern hospitality and queer pride. Attendance now surpasses 300,000 each year, making it one of the biggest annual events in New Orleans outside Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
The 2025 edition of Southern Decadence runs from Thursday 28 August through Monday 1 September 2025, encompassing the U.S. Labor Day long weekend. Festivities begin mid-week as partygoers arrive in the French Quarter, and the energy builds toward a long weekend of nonstop entertainment. Visitors typically start arriving on the Wednesday before Labor Day and continue celebrating into the following Tuesday. The official walking parade – led by the Grand Marshals and featuring elaborate floats and costumed marchers – takes place on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., weaving through the narrow streets of the French Quarter and drawing huge crowds of spectators. Throughout the weekend, special events include cocktail parties, drag shows, dance nights, after parties and block parties hosted by leading local clubs and promoters.
Key highlights in 2025 include the annual walking parade, nightly street parties with some of the nation’s best DJs, and the famous Bourbon Street Extravaganza – a free outdoor concert at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets that brings live entertainment to the heart of the French Quarter. Circuit parties and club events dot the schedule: the Phoenix Block Party runs every night of the long weekend, the Bourbon Pub & Parade hosts its own marathon of parties, and promoters such as Bearracuda, Hit It, Furball and others stage themed nights throughout the city. The festival’s pool-party programme includes everything from clothing-optional gatherings organised by Renegade Bears to rooftop tea dances at the Virgin Hotel. Many events are ticketed, with VIP passes granting access to cocktail receptions, complimentary drinks and front-of-line entry to the most popular venues.
Southern Decadence takes over New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, and the neighbourhood itself is part of the attraction. The epicentre of the celebration is the intersection of Bourbon and St. Ann streets, home to the Bourbon Pub video bar and the Parade dance club – the city’s largest gay nightclub. Dance floors spill onto the street, costumes and beads are traded freely, and music booms from open-air balconies. Because gay bars in New Orleans never close, there is always something happening around the clock. Beyond the parties, visitors can explore the city’s rich culture: sip cocktails in century-old jazz bars, sample iconic Creole and Cajun cuisine, or take a daytime break to visit historic sites in the French Quarter and nearby neighbourhoods.
With attendance topping 300,000 and events spread across dozens of venues, planning ahead is essential. Hotels in the French Quarter and central New Orleans sell out early, so it is wise to book accommodation well in advance. Public street parties are free, but many circuit events require tickets; purchasing weekend passes or VIP packages through the official website guarantees entry and often includes perks such as priority access, hosted cocktails and reserved spaces at pool parties. The official Southern Decadence website (https://southerndecadence.com) publishes the most up-to-date schedule of events, tips and frequently asked questions, and is the recommended source for tickets and passes. Visitors should also monitor local news and social media for information about weather conditions, parade routes and last-minute event updates.
To get a sense of the Southern Decadence atmosphere before travelling, search for recent videos on YouTube. Clips from the 2023 and 2024 parades – such as "Part of Southern Decadence Parade 2023 New Orleans" and other recap videos filmed by attendees – capture the energy of the walking parade, the diversity of participants and the musical performances. News features from local stations also show how the festival brings together locals and visitors for a weekend of drag shows, charity events and community celebrations. These videos provide a colourful snapshot of what to expect and are a great way to build anticipation.
Southern Decadence 2025 promises to be another unforgettable celebration of lgbtq+Q+ culture, community and resilience. From its humble beginnings as a neighbourhood gathering, it has grown into a world-class event that welcomes everyone to dance, parade and party in the streets of New Orleans. Whether you come for the epic parties, the historic French Quarter backdrop or the sense of belonging that suffuses the city during the festival, Southern Decadence offers an inclusive and joyous experience that exemplifies the spirit of "Gay Mardi Gras." Mark your calendar for 28 August – 1 September 2025 and prepare to be part of a tradition that celebrates pride, freedom and the unique vibrancy of New Orleans.
