By Karen Brem, Marketing Director, Historic Mardi Gras Inn
COMING SOON!!!
Hey y’all,
Karen Brem here—your favorite party-loving marketing director of the one and only Historic Mardi Gras Inn, located just one teensy little block from the fabulous French Quarter in glorious, glitter-drenched New Orleans. And honey, have I got some red-hot news for you!
The most outrageous, over-the-top, crimson-clad day of the year is almost here—yes, darling, it’s time for the 2025 Red Dress Run! Circle Saturday, August 9, 2025, in your planner, lipstick, or even your cleavage, because it’s gonna be a full day (and night) of fabulous mayhem you do NOT want to miss.
This isn’t your average 5K, sugar. The New Orleans Red Dress Run, hosted by the Hash House Harriers (aka “a drinking club with a running problem”), is an annual charity fundraiser that brings out the bold, the beautiful, and the just plain bonkers. And here’s the gag—everyone has to wear a red dress. Yes, everyone. Men, women, genderqueer royalty, your Aunt Patty, your goldendoodle—if you’re running (or wobbling), you’re wearing red.
Red, Raucous, and Ridiculous: What to Expect
The day kicks off early with registration and pre-run cocktails (because of course it does). Head to Crescent Park in the Marigny around 9:00 AM—just a skip and a twirl from our charming inn—and get ready for a sea of scarlet that would make Moulin Rouge jealous. There’ll be music, food, flowing drinks, and enough tulle and sequins to blind a drag queen.
The run officially begins at 12:30 PM, though calling it a “run” is being generous. Most participants stroll, sashay, stumble, or spin their way along the course. It’s not about winning—it’s about working that dress and soaking up the silliness. And don’t worry, the route loops around the French Quarter, which means photo ops galore and no shortage of places to pause for a quick cocktail or three.
After the run, the real party begins. The music cranks up, the drinks keep pouring, and the crowd floods the Quarter for an all-day street party that turns into an all-night extravaganza. Think: roving brass bands, burlesque pop-ups, dance-offs, impromptu fashion shows, and general glittery madness. You never know who (or what) you’ll see next. And yes—pets in red dresses are welcome. Honestly, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a bulldog in a chiffon halter gown.
Stay Close, Stay Fabulous
Now, if you’re coming to town for the Red Dress Run—and you absolutely should—you’ll need a home base that’s as fabulous as you are. Enter The Historic Mardi Gras Inn, your LGBTQ+ owned and operated haven of sass, sparkle, and Southern hospitality.
We’ve just wrapped up a site-wide glow up, and honey, it shows! But the only promises we’ll make are clean, affordable accommodations and a warm, welcoming staff dedicated to making your stay absolutely amazing. Whether you’re a seasoned queen, a first-time festivalgoer, or just someone who looks really good in red, we’re here for you.
Our inn is in the perfect location—just one block off the French Quarter and two minutes from the streetcar stop, making it the ideal jumping-off point for your Red Dress adventure and everything that comes after (wink). Spend your weekend basking in the beautifully bizarre spectacle of the Red Dress Run by day and diving headfirst into the Quarter’s indulgent adult nightlife by night. (And believe me, the party doesn’t stop when the sun goes down—it just gets sexier.)
Make It a Weekend, Darling!
Trust me—you’re gonna want more than one night in this city when the Red Dress Run is in full swing. Book a long weekend with us and enjoy the full New Orleans experience. Squeeze in some ghost tours, dance till dawn, taste everything on a po’boy, and maybe even meet your next ex-husband in fishnets. Anything can happen in NOLA, especially when everyone’s dressed like Jessica Rabbit.
Bottom Line? Red is the New Black.
The Red Dress Run 2025 is more than a race—it’s a citywide love letter to fun, freedom, and fabulousness. Come for the chaos, stay for the culture, and sleep it off in the comfort of our charming inn.
Book your room now before the city’s all booked up and the only thing left is a Motel 6 in Slidell. (No offense, Slidell, but she ain’t the French Quarter.)
So grab your wig, pull out your best red gown, and I’ll see you in August, darlings—high heels optional, attitude required.
With glitter and giggles,
Karen Brem
Marketing Director
The Historic Mardi Gras Inn 💋FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ACCOMMODATIONS CALL US DIRECTLY AT 504.949.5815 OR 1.800.209.9408. YOU MAY ALSO VISIT US AT historicmardigrasinn.com.