For a city with so much pride, Southern Decadence—a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride—is bound to be an event to remember. The 46th Annual Southern Decadence Parade will be held on Sunday, September 2. But the celebration has already begun. Southern Decadence is one of the Big Easy’s most anticipated festivals with events leading up to the parade starting nearly a month in advance. On August 5, two kick-off events took place: a Deviled Egg Contest at Cutters and Cocktails and Bites with Tony Leggio.

Southern Decadence has recently released the official lineup of events for the month preceding the parade on September 2. Some highlights include Boys in the Shower at Grand Pre’s on August 10, Cocktails and Queer History on August 16 and Glamorama at Café Istabul on September 1. There will likely be other events in celebration of Southern Decadence, but only the ones listed on the website support the Southern Decadence Financial Oversight Committee. The official lineup can be viewed here.

No festival in New Orleans would be complete without nightlife to accompany. From Friday to Monday of Labor Day Weekend, Bourbon Pub located at 801 Bourbon Street, will be open 24/7 hosting events and tons of dancing. Bourbon Pub’s Balcony will open at noon from Thursday thru Monday to celebrate the festival and provide a great viewing spot for parade watchers. Bourbon Pub will kick off its annual Southern Decadence celebration on Thursday, August 30 with a Welcome Party followed by dancing all night long.

At 6:30 p.m. on September 1, there will be a Bourbon Street Extravaganza—a free concert on the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets followed by a DJ set from Kidd Madonny, Hot Ass Contest and After Dark Party featuring lots of dancing and even appearances from porn stars. The party will continue until dawn. Click here for the full schedule of events from Bourbon Pub.

The Southern Decadence Walking Parade will take place on Sunday, September 2 at 2 p.m. The parade starts at the Golden Lantern near Decatur and Barracks Streets and eventually ends up near the Bourbon Pub on the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets.

Southern Decadence began in 1972 by a diverse group of friends with different racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and sexualities. It started as something small among them, but quickly grew into a full scale festival that is testament to New Orleans’ unique ability to celebrate differences.

 
Be sure to check the website often for event updates.