GAY NEW ORLEANS EVENTS

NEW ORLEANS EVENTS

MARDI GRAS - Fat Tuesday (Jan. or Feb.)
Mardi Gras Celebrations begin on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Mardi Gras is a time for parties, parades, balls and celebrations. The final day is Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. This is held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when we traditionally sacrifice in imitation of Our Lord's 40-day fast in the desert.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADES
Large celebration. 

TENNESSEE WILLIAM'S LITERARY FESTIVAL 
The festival is an annual five-day celebration held in late March, which showcases national and regional scholars, writers, and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances, and a bookfair.

EASTER SUNDAY -- with carriages of local drag celebs tossing beads (of course) -- and ends at the bars, where the festivities continue.

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL - April 
Enjoy 250 hours of free entertainment featuring more than 150 musical performances on fifteen stages throughout the French Quarter over a three-day weekend. Nearly 60 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and the U.S. Mint will make up the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch," a signature event, featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants. 

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL - May 
With 12 stages of soul-stirring music—jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, folk, and much more—the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a singular celebration. The event has showcased most of the great artists of New Orleans and Louisiana of the last half century.

NEW ORLEANS WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE - May
Join the outstanding restaurants that make New Orleans a premier culinary destination as they are paired with exceptional wines from around the world during the five day event.

LAZFEST - July 4
A festival benefiting Project Lazarus

SATCHMO SUMMERFEST - August
"What a Wonderful World" you'll discover during an entertaining and educating weekend in the French Quarter honoring New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The Satchmo-inspired program includes musical performances, lively discussions, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass, activities for budding young jazz fans, a club crawl, "red beans and ricely yours" foods, and a star-studded line-up of performances that would have made Louis smile.

SOUTHERN DECADENCE - September
Occurs annually on Labor Day Weekend. Dubbed "Gay Mardi Gras," this event draws gay men and lesbians from all over the country to the French Quarter for even harder partying than normal, if that's possible. A parade, led by a soused grand marshal (a different person every year chooses the theme, colors and anthem of the parade), begins at the Golden Lantern (1239 Royal St; 504/529-2860) and winds its way down Royal Street, with participants invading every gay bar in its path to knock down a few before charging down the street to the next watering hole. Pace yourself, to say the least!

PRIDEFEST - October
New Orleans' gay pride celebration, takes place in October (to avoid the oppressive summer heat) in Armstrong Park.

HALLOWEEN - October 
Halloween in New Orleans might seem redundant, it is still another reason for more masked balls, parades and club parties. This multi-day event benefits Project Lazarus, an AIDS hospice.

CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE - December 
There's no place like New Orleans for the holidays during Christmas New Orleans Style, a celebration of uniquely New Orleans holiday activities taking place throughout December. Experience the magic of the season in a city steeped in traditions of the past, but with the food, music and good times of today. More than 100 festivities are planned during the month-long event, showcasing the cultural diversity that adds spice to the gumbo of New Orleans' heritage.