LGBTQ 2023 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
LGBTQ and LGBTQ-Friendly Events in New Orleans
Last Updated: Friday, December 16, 2022 10:26 AM by Topher Danial
Last Updated: Friday, December 16, 2022 10:26 AM by Topher Danial
We created our 2023 LGBTQ year-at-a-glance guide to showcase some of the exciting events New Orleans has to offer to the LGBTQ community throughout the year. From LGBTQ Mardi Gras to unforgettable music festivals to the iconic Red Dress Run, there’s a seemingly never-ending lineup. This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the biggest and best events in town. Cheers to another year!
*Note - all dates are confirmed as of publishing. Please be sure to check with event organizers as the events get closer, especially for those later in the year.
January 6, 2023
Celebrate Twelfth Night and the first official parade of the Mardi Gras season.
January 6-8, 2023
As a renowned convention of comics and superheroes, Wizard World welcomes all types of folks and their funky costumes to participate. Special guests this year include Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things, Matthew Lewis from Harry Potter, and Katee Sackhoff from The Mandalorian.
January 13, 2023
Celebrate Mardi Gras with the city’s newest, most inclusive krewe.
January 28, 2023
Join the second-oldest gay krewe in New Orleans for their Mardi Gras ball. Per tradition, the theme will be announced the night of the ball.
January 28, 2023
The Mystic Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans is a Mardi Gras krewe for the LGBTQ community and allies. This year, they present their 20th Bal Masque, "A Night of Magic," at the historic Carver Theater in New Orleans. This anniversary ball will showcase costumes ranging from Hocus Pocus to the Magic Markers (and maybe even a visit to the Magic Forest or a sighting of Magic Mike).
January 28, 2023
The 2023 Chewbacchus parade is a kaleidoscope of Bacchanalian revelry and sci-fi fandoms set to a New Orleans soundtrack. Celebrate your weirdness and pop-culture obsessions when you join Chewbacchus for their 12th annual roll.
January (TBD)
Kick off Gay Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Miwindo’s annual extravaganza, which traditionally celebrates Black and African-American culture.
February 3, 2023
The Krewe Bohème is a marching parade that travels through the Marigny and French Quarter. Their goal is to present a visual and auditory feast of mystery, artistry, and fun. The procession is led by a green absinthe fairy, recognized as a symbol of the bohemian spirit, followed by several inclusive inner krewe marching clubs.
February 4, 2023
Enjoy this adult-themed satirical parade on current events, politics and culture as it rolls through the CBD, French Quarter, and the Marigny. The parade is immediately followed by a procession of “innerkrewes” known as krewedelusion.
February 7-12, 2023
Her voice is undeniable. Her fire is unstoppable. Her triumph is unlike any other. An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock. Featuring her much loved songs, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.
February 14, 2023
Fall in love all over again in one of the world’s most romantic destinations. Use our Valentine’s Day guide to plan a perfect evening for you and your partner.
February 17, 2023
See Anita Baker perform as her The Songstress Tour stops by the Smoothie King Center.
February 17, 2023
Experience the most visitor-friendly of the balls – Armeinius will celebrate its 52nd anniversary at the Frederick J Sigur Civic Center! The secret 2023 theme will be revealed on January 7, 2023.
February 19, 2023
Celebrate at the city’s oldest gay ball – reinvented! The 2023 celebration will benefit Covenant House New Orleans.
February 19, 2023
Celebrate Bal XXXVII with the nation’s only leather-oriented Mardi Gras Krewe.
February 21, 2023
Carnival season culminates in this citywide celebration of revelry and liberation. Can you complete our Mardi Gras bucket list by Fat Tuesday?
February 21, 2023
Anyone is welcome to join this ultimate costume contest featuring amazing costumes from all of the gay Mardi Gras balls. Gather at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets to witness the best of the best–or enter to win a prize of your own.
March 18, 2023
The region’s largest beer festival takes place in Lafreniere Park, offering hundreds of different beers from brewers all over the country. The event is pet-friendly and features games, contests and more.
March 22-26, 2023
This literary festival is named after and celebrates one of the greatest LGBTQ playwrights in history. Tap into the city’s literary roots with contests, readings, cocktail parties, walking tours and more.
March 24-26, 2023
Join LGBTQ publishers, writers, and readers from around the world at Saints and Sinners, the LGBTQ-specific offshoot of Tennessee Williams Fest.
March 24 & 26, 2023
The New Orleans Opera Association delivers a stunning adaptation of Puccini’s classic opera, Madame Butterfly. This production will include updated perspectives to more accurately reflect the experiences of women and Asian heritage.
March 24-26, 2023
This celebration of all things brass and gumbo combines two local festivals: the Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest and Congo Square Rhythms.
April 7, 2023
Enjoy a gay-themed Easter celebration held on Good Friday.
April 9, 2023
See this vibrant parade that passes just about every gay bar in the French Quarter on Easter Sunday. Make sure to stick around for the Bonnet contest at Good Friends to follow.
April 13-16, 2023
A favorite among locals, this free festival features live music, classic New Orleans dishes, and cocktails on the riverfront and throughout the French Quarter.
April 28 – May 7, 2023
The world-famous Jazz Fest returns with another incredible line-up of musicians and culture bearers.
May 19-21, 2023
Find your favorite over-the-top flotation device and head to Bayou St. John to soak up the sun and bask in the live music.
Memorial Day Weekend, 2023
Join this hilarious gay bar crawl in the French Quarter where teams compete to raise money as they add pieces of drag clothing at each pit stop.
June 7-11, 2023
Food and wine lovers unite for this five-day festival featuring NOLA’s best restaurants and wines from around the world.
June 7-11, 2023
Celebrate Pride in New Orleans with a weekend of parties, concerts, community events, and more.
June 9-11, 2023
Coinciding with Pride weekend is a host of events specifically catered toward the Black queer community, including a Saints & Sinners leather party, a sneaker ball, awards shows, and community block parties.
June 10, 2023
The day starts with a block party that fills the streets of the French Quarter with costumed revelers. The day builds up to an extravagant Pride parade that unites the LGBTQ community and allies.
June 29-July 3, 2023
Experience the nation’s biggest celebration of African American culture through live musical performances spanning gospel, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and beyond.
July 4, 2023
Grab your picnic blankets and settle into a spot along the Mississippi River to watch the dueling barges fireworks display.
July (TBD)
Celebrate French and Francophone culture in New Orleans with music, food, and merriment on the national day of France.
July 14-16, 2023
For this New Orleans take on Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona, runners clad in white and red try to evade New Orleans Roller Derby Girls (the bulls). Runners are caught when they’re tapped on the rear with one of the bulls’ plastic bats.
July 23-28, 2023
Learn cocktail histories and new boozy tactics while sampling recipes from famed bartenders around the city.
August 5, 2023
Dress in your finest white linen and stroll through the impressive art galleries along Julia Street.
August 12, 2023
A week after White Linen Night, guests continue the party throughout the art galleries on Royal Street in supposedly the same, now-dirty outfits. It’s a faux walk of shame that progresses into the night.
August 12, 2023
Join runners in a sea of red dresses for a short charitable run in the French Quarter. Don’t want to run? Put on a red dress and come celebrate anyway.
August 31 - September 4, 2023
Don’t miss the biggest gay weekend of the year! An estimated 300,000 LGBTQs gather in the French Quarter for a long weekend of revelry. Expect tons of drag, street parties, and incredible costumes.
September 2, 2023
The New Orleans Track Club returns for its sixth annual pride run/walk starting in the beautiful Crescent Park.
October 21, 2023
Get dressed up for this Halloween parade that features larger-than-life 3-D fiberglass and paper-mâché monsters. This family-friendly event will delight parade watchers with throws like beads, candy, and toys.
October 27 – 29, 2023
This festive weekend–a favorite among LGBTQ locals and visitors–consists of a black-tie gala, costume parties, and a tea dance, all raising money for a HIV/AIDS charity.
November 25, 2023
One of the city’s most anticipated college football matches of the season returns to the Superdome every Thanksgiving weekend.
November (TBD)
This annual event features food, music, dancing, and an auction that supports local LGBTQ elders.
December (all month)
Enjoy a unique New Orleans holiday experience with Réveillon dinners, caroling in Jackson Square, holiday home tours, and much more.
December (TBD)
Celebrate the holiday season with two of the most magical and cheerful parades of the year.
December (TBD)
This annual LGBTQ softball event is a fun-filled double-elimination tournament for queer people and their allies.
December (TBD)
This mesmerizing lights show transforms the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park and surrounding buildings into colorful, projection-mapped wonders. The festival includes local vendors, art, drinks, and more.
December 24, 2023
For this unique tradition, locals build giant bonfires along the levee and burn them bright to light the way for Papa Noel, the Cajun Santa.
December 31, 2023
Ring in the new year with fireworks along the Mississippi River or watch the fleur de lis drop in Jackson Square.
December TBD
The Human Rights Campaign – perhaps the most influential LGBTQ advocacy group in the country – hosts its Annual Dinner and Silent Auction.