New Orleans hosted Naughty N'Awlins, an annual convention described as the world's largest gathering for swingers and those in alternative lifestyles. The five-day event attracted over 3,000 participants, including swingers, polyamorists, nudists, exhibitionists, voyeurs, fetishists, and BDSM enthusiasts.
Co-founder Bob Hannaford stated that the 2026 convention was the "largest Lifestyle event ever." Attendees, with an average age between 35 and 60, occupied more than 1,400 rooms near Bourbon Street. The convention, which requires participants to pass a consent quiz, costs couples $850 for five days and four nights, granting access to classes, workshops, social events, and scheduled playtime. While sexual encounters are a central aspect, organizers and attendees highlight the development of friendships as a key draw.
"People come here for the sex, but they come back for the friendships," Hannaford explained, noting that surveys show only 50% of regular attendees engage in sex with anyone other than their partners. The event features topless and nude pool parties, alongside themed rooms for various sexual activities, including a "dungeon" decorated as a medieval cathedral and a "dark room" for anonymous encounters.
Nudity is generally restricted to designated playrooms and pools, with heavy flirting and provocative attire common in public areas. The convention offers a range of activities, from "bare-as-you-dare" yoga and necklace making to educational classes on various sexual practices and relationships. These classes included topics such as "The Foundations of Rope Bondage," "Hands-On Flogger Training," and "Squirting Grad School."
The event also includes social gatherings, such as themed parties and a Sexual Freedom Parade down Bourbon Street. Past themes have included "Bordello Night," "Through the Looking Glass," "Neon Glow," and "Mardi Gras Masquerade."
Naughty N'Awlins began as a small gathering hosted by co-founders Bob Hannaford and Tess Tucker, who were involved in New York City's sex-party scene in the 1990s. After relocating to New Orleans, they started hosting their own events, which grew from dozens to thousands of attendees, eventually leading to hotel takeovers in the French Quarter.
Despite the focus on sexual exploration, the convention emphasizes a structured environment with rules and consequences for consent violations, which can be reported via QR codes posted throughout the venues. Volunteers maintain cleanliness in shared spaces, including a rapid sheet-changing system in the playrooms.
Attendees reported finding the convention to be a non-judgmental and accepting environment, with many returning year after year to foster friendships and connections within the community. The event is scheduled to continue with a focus on community building and sexual education within the alternative lifestyle sphere.