Planning Your Visit to San Diego’s Premiere Mardi Gras Celebration, Gator by the Bay, May 11-14, 2023
For the 20th year in a row, San Diego celebrates New Orleans with a four day Mardi Gras celebration on May 11th to the 14th, 2023. Unlike the real Mardi Gras where you have to shield your kids eyes once the beads start tossing, Gator by the Bay is a family friendly event that still retains the authentic vibe of the real thing, especially once the music starts flowing. The event takes place at San Diego’s Spanish Landing, the grassy area on the bay near the San Diego Airport. Here’s some basic info on the event.
PRO TIP: KIDS 17 AND UNDER ARE FREE WITH PAID ADULT
Last year I was a rookie, a lookie loo who came to the event not really knowing what to expect. I ate some crawfish, I got powdered sugar all over my shirt from a freshly fried beignet, and I wandered from stage to stage as the music played. Nothing wrong with that strategy, I had a great time and if you just want to do something unique and different on a sunny San Diego weekend then you won’t be disappointed.
San Diego’s own Mardi Gras Celebration, Gator by the Bay
But I also noticed that those in the know, those who have done this before, brought their own beach chairs and staked out spots at one of the various stages and kicked back sipping a cold one until the music started. Yes, they PLANNED out the day and if you want to get the most of your time at Gator by the Bay you might want to do the same thing.
PRO TIP: BRING A SMALL CAMP CHAIR LIKE THIS ONE YOU CAN GET FROM COSTCO - I HAVE IT AND IT PACKS DOWN SO SMALL AND LIGHT YOU WON’T MIND CARRYING IT. (Not a paid ad, I just love it!)
What kind of music? You can expect Zydeco, blues, Creole and Cajun, rockabilly, salsa, and New Orleans jazz, all punctuated with strolling buskers and even a Mardi Gras marching band as they parade through the crowds.
Gator by the Bay, May 11-14, 2023
GATOR BY THE BAY MUSIC LINEUP PREVIEW
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
Thursday
Zydeco Roots, Creole
For nearly 40 years, two- time GRAMMY award winning, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, Terrance Simien, has been shattering the myths and often misinformation about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is — and is not.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Cajun, Creole & Zydeco
One of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole and Zydeco (Louisiana French) music over the last decade, Cedric Watson is a heralded four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist and songwriter.
The Revelers
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Cajun, Zydeco, Country and Blues
Grammy nominees The Revelers’ sound is a spicy jambalaya of swamp pop, Cajun, Zydeco, country and blues, celebrating the delectable flavor of southwest Louisiana.
Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Zydeco
Lake Charles native Rusty Metoyer is one of Southwest Louisiana’s premier stars. Metoyer and his unique brand of Zydeco music raise the bar.
Sunday
Cajun, Roots, Blues
Two of the finest roots music fiddle players on the planet! Two-time Grammy winner Michael Doucet, along with Tom Rigney, join together for an incredible performance.. Backed by Rigney’s hot band, Flambeau, the show will feature material from their latest album “Roll On”.
People really get into it at Gator by the Bay!