Southern Decadence
New Orleans' «gay Mardi Gras» · up to 300,000 people in the French Quarter · Labor Day
Key data · Southern Decadence in figures
2026
Next edition
What's confirmed for this year's edition — dates, route, lineup. Volatile data — we refresh every two weeks from official sources.
Next edition · announcement pending
The organizer usually announces dates + motto in primavera. Meanwhile, review the previous edition below.
2025
Last edition
Past edition closed — with confirmed data on attendance, route and lineup. Archive — no longer changes.
The 2025 edition ran in its classic format: five days of partying across the French Quarter bars with the Sunday walking parade stepping off from the Golden Lantern. Southern Decadence topped 250,000 attendees in 2018, with an estimated $275M economic impact — several Quarter bars make a large share of their annual revenue this weekend. Only hurricanes (Katrina 2005, Gustav 2008) and the pandemic (2020-21) have ever stopped it.
Experiences
gay friendly · New Orleans
Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.
Affiliate links to selected experiences
Practical tips
for experiencing Southern Decadence
The practical stuff so Pride week works — arrival, accommodation, transport and what to bring.
Arrive Wednesday · leave Monday
The Pride core runs from Thursday to Sunday. Arriving Wednesday gives you a day to acclimate before the rush. Book at least 3 months ahead — the best hotels are gone by April.
Close to the route · 0-10 min walking
Hotels near the route are gold during Pride — you can walk back without fighting for a taxi. Prices rise +30-50% that week.
Plane + public transport
Urban airports usually have a metro or commuter train direct to the center. Taxi/Uber/Cabify run all night. High-speed rail is competitive for distances <3h.
Extended metro · streets closed
Many metro systems run 24h on Pride weekend. The route streets are closed to traffic — taxis don't enter. Walking is usually fastest.
Heat · shade · water · comfy shoes
European summer in the street: cap, sunglasses, SPF 50, reusable water bottle. Closed shoes for the march — stepping on toes is real.
Reinforced health services
Temporary health stations are usually set up in central squares during Pride. STI/PrEP centers often extend hours. EU: EHIC covers emergencies. Other: private insurance recommended.
Regular LGBTQI+ clubs in New Orleans →
If you need a break from Pride or want to go out to the regular clubs, the non-pride scene stays active all week.
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