Gay Christmas & New Year’s Eve in New Orleans 2026

Gay Christmas & New Year’s Eve in New Orleans 2026

New Orleans runs a full slate of holiday events from mid-November through New Year’s Eve, with the French Quarter and Bourbon Street as the center of the gay scene throughout.

Event dates: Friday, November 13, 2026 to Thursday, December 31, 2026

Key events:

• LUNA Fête, a free light and projection festival at the Convention Center Pedestrian Park, November 13 to 15
• Krewe of Krampus parade, the largest Krampus parade in the US, early December
• Holiday Parade through the French Market and Downtown, ending at Lafayette Square, December 5
• Jingle on the Boulevard, the last Saturday before Christmas
• NYE countdown at Jackson Square with the Fleur de Lis drop and fireworks over the Mississippi, from 10pm
• Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade, a Mardi Gras-style parade through the French Quarter, 2pm on NYE

Gay NYE parties: The Bourbon Pub Parade, The Phoenix, and OZ Bar all run dedicated New Year’s Eve parties on Bourbon Street, most starting between 4pm and 9pm and running into the early hours.

Drag: The Sisters of Saint Claude at The Allways Lounge & Cabaret, Freaky Friday at OZ, and The Country Club’s drag brunch, which books up months ahead.

Where to stay: The French Quarter is the obvious base, within walking distance of Bourbon Street’s gay bars. Faubourg Marigny, just downriver, is a quieter alternative with its own gay-friendly restaurants and bars.