Southern Decadence New Orleans

Southern Decadence began in 1972 as an end-of-summer costume party among a group of friends in the Tremé; historian Frank Perez puts the crowd at about 50. The next year about 15 of them met in costume at a bar and walked back to the house, which counts as the first parade. Since 1974 each year's grand marshals, chosen by the previous ones, have run the parade, and since 1981 the outgoing marshals have picked their successors. There is still no corporate Pride committee behind it, which is a big part of its character.

How it works: it covers Labor Day weekend in the French Quarter, and most of it is free and on the street. The centre is Bourbon Street between St Ann and Dumaine, the gay end of the street, with the balconies of Oz and the Bourbon Pub & Parade packed all weekend. The walking parade, led by the grand marshals and their costumed groups, leaves from the Golden Lantern bar on Royal Street on Sunday afternoon and winds through the Quarter. The ticketed side is the bars, circuit parties and pool events. Expect bare skin; this is not a family event.