Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in the French Quarter
Photo by Miguel Discart on Flickr
Say goodbye to summer and ease yourself into fall by celebrating Labor Day (Monday, September 7, 2026) in New Orleans. Americans do travel a lot for this long weekend ending on the first Monday of September, and New Orleans is a top Labor Day destination.
There are great reasons for the city’s popularity, and don’t let the still-summery temps of early September deter you — the Labor Day weekend in New Orleans will deliver, and then some. Here are some suggestions on how to get the most out of your stay in the French Quarter, starting with the immensely popular Southern Decadence festival.
Southern Decadence
This massive four-day festival celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and attracts participants from all over the world. Southern Decadence started as a humble going-away party but is now considered the fifth largest event in the city after Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, and the French Quarter Festival.
Southern Decadence will be held from Thursday, September 3, through Monday, September 7, 2026. It kicks off and closes with dance parties. There will be lots of block parties and dance parties in between. This year’s theme is “Phoenix Rising: Together We Rise.” The colors to consider are turquoise, red, black, royal blue, and gold.
The festival’s annual hub, Bourbon Pub Parade, will be open till 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday. Just like in previous years, it will serve as the epicenter of the annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza, a free show/block party happening on Saturday at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets. The annual Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m., will also end up there, stretching loosely one block over to its ending point at Bourbon and Dumaine Streets.
A lot of events are free, and you can buy passes from several venues to access the events that do charge an entrance fee and may sell out. (Here’s more info on the ticketed events, the kinds of passes are available, and where to get them.)
The Oz dance club and the 24/7 Cafe Lafitte in Exile, both on Bourbon Street, will also host DJ’d shows and dance parties that weekend. Although not part of the Bourbon Street stretch, the 24/7 Good Friends bar at 740 Dauphine Street in the French Quarter also receives a fair share of the festival partygoers each year. Another popular destination is the 24/7 Phoenix Bar (941 Elysian Fields Ave.), located in the Marigny within a short walking distance from the French Quarter. As usual, it will host block parties during the event.
Musical Highlights
Your best bet would be to just head out to Frenchmen Street on any given evening and explore, and there’s something always going on at the iconic Tipitina’s Uptown. The Labor Day weekend’s musical offerings are usually excellent. Let the WWOZ Livewire Music Calendar guide you.
Eating and Drinking
For happy hour, various French Quarter bars are offering lots of great deals. Check out our guide to the best happy hours in the French Quarter. As for eating, the French Quarter is your oyster, and then some. Check out our dining guides and listings to reserve a perfect spot.
If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans during the Labor Day weekend, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
Eat, drink, dance, stay cool, and happy Labor Day!
