Key facts
| Country | United States (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), about 25 minutes by road |
| Best time | The convention runs in July; spring and late autumn are best for sightseeing |
| Type | City hosting an annual lifestyle convention in takeover hotels |
| Adults only | The convention is adults-only and requires registration |
| Clothing | Event dress codes inside venues; public nudity and flashing are illegal in the city |
| Best months | March–May, July, October–November |
New Orleans, with its music, food and famously permissive reputation, is the home of Naughty N'awlins (also styled Naughty in N'awlins), one of the largest lifestyle conventions in the world. Founded in the early 2000s by local organiser Bob Hannaford, the event takes over hotels in and around the French Quarter each summer for several days of seminars, workshops, themed parties, shows and socialising for couples in the swinger, kink and open-relationship communities. It is also known for its Sexual Freedom Parade. Major outlets including ABC News have covered the convention, and organisers have described it as drawing thousands of attendees.
The 2026 edition ran from 8 to 12 July. Dates, host hotels and ticket types change every year, so check the organiser's official announcements before planning.
Who it suits
- Lifestyle couples who want a large, organised event with education, entertainment and thousands of like-minded people.
- Newcomers to the lifestyle, who can learn in seminars and socialise at their own pace; attending does not require doing anything.
- Kink-curious couples, as the programme spans swinging, kink and fetish communities.
How the convention works
Attendance requires registration and a pass; passes typically cover several days, and the host hotels are effectively reserved for attendees during the event. Registration controls who can enter event spaces and parties. Daytime programming includes seminars and social events; evenings bring themed parties in hotel ballrooms, pools and designated spaces. Private gatherings in attendees' rooms are common and are governed by consent and hotel rules.
Best time to go
The convention is held in July, one of the hottest and most humid months in New Orleans, and during the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November). Hydration is essential and travel insurance is wise. If you want to explore the city at its most comfortable, visit in spring (March to May) or late autumn (October and November), avoiding the Mardi Gras crowds unless you want them.
Getting there and around
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is about 25 minutes from the French Quarter by road. The Quarter is walkable, streetcars run along St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street, and taxis and rideshares are plentiful. Do not drive after drinking; Louisiana's open-container culture in the Quarter does not extend to drivers.
Legal notes
Inside private convention spaces, the event's own rules apply. Outside them, Louisiana law does not permit public nudity or sexual behaviour, and New Orleans police arrest people for exposing themselves, including the "flashing" associated with Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street. Keep event behaviour inside the event.
Etiquette and consent
- Consent is explicit and ongoing. Wristbands, badges or codes some events use to signal interests are not consent; always ask.
- No photography of attendees without permission; many attendees protect their privacy carefully.
- Respect hotel staff and other guests. Staff are working, not participating.
- Couples decide together and check in often.
- Practise safer sex, and use the resources events usually provide.
Safety
The July heat can be dangerous, especially combined with alcohol and late nights: drink water constantly and rest. In 2020, NBC News reported that the organiser said 41 attendees of that year's convention tested positive for Covid-19 afterwards, a reminder to follow current public-health advice at large gatherings. In the city, stick to busy, well-lit streets at night and use licensed transport.
Nearby
Outside the convention, explore the French Quarter's architecture, jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street, the Garden District and the city's celebrated restaurants. Compare with the club scene in Las Vegas or the couples-only lifestyle cruises. Browse members in the United States.