From August 29 through September 2, Southern Decadence will host its 49 annual celebration here in New Orleans. Though the star of the show will be the 45th Annual Walking Parade on Sunday, September 1, the weekend features a plethora of parties and more. The French Quarters will be flooded with thousands of LBGQTIA+ supporters for five days, 24 hours a day. 

Southern Decadence began in 1972 thanks to 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 a testament to New Orleans’ unique ability to celebrate differences.

No festival in New Orleans would be complete without nightlife and bar hopping. From Thursday to Monday of Labor Day weekend, Bourbon Pub (801 Bourbon St.) will be open 24/7 hosting events and tons of dancing. Bourbon Pub’s balcony will open at noon from Thursday through 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 29 with a Battle of the Bulge contest, beginning at midnight and ending with dancing until the sun comes up.

At 12 a.m. on Friday, August 30, there will be a striptease  of the hottest guys in the parade with DJ Whitney Day from Los Angeles/New York on the beat.

At 6:30 p.m. on August 31, there will be a Bourbon Street Extravaganza—a free concert on the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets followed by performances from Ultra Natt, Jeanie Tracey and Beth Sacks 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, including the Hot Ass Contest.

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. The party continues into the late date DJ session with DJ Tracy Young from Miami. 

For updates please visit the southern decadence website here.