GATOR BY THE BAY 2023 MUSIC LINE UP: SAN DIEGO'S MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION MAY 11 - 14, 2023

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.

Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole

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.

Michael Doucet & Tom Rigney

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!

Gator by the Bay is BACK on May 11-14, 2023

Gator by the Bay in San Diego is coming May 11-14, 2023

My very first trip to New Orleans was actually my very first big business trip. Someone had the great idea to hold a convention over Mardi Gras week and somehow I was selected to run the booth. That night I walked Bourbon Street with a red cup of tequila in my hand and a hurricane in the other and had the most fun I’ve ever had. Well, at least until the next morning when I had to get up to run the booth and then later get on a plane to come home, all with a massive hangover.

Still, that didn’t dissuade me from visiting again though perhaps a bit more restraint as I got older. And now we fast forward to 2023 and damn do I want to travel but dammit that travel is so expensive these days. That’s why I am so happy that San Diego is once again hosting GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL, the largest celebration of everything that makes a trip to New Orleans so great - meaning food, music, dancing, and just plain fun for the entire family. You deserve it. We all deserve it! It’s like the best of Mardi Gras without having to jump on a plane.

"Gator By The Bay is a one-of-a-kind event that brings joy and lasting memories to people of all ages," says Festival Producer Peter Oliver. "Each year over 15,000 passionate enthusiasts attend this event to get a taste of Louisiana's rich culture on the West Coast. After two years of dormancy we are happy to be back with all the fan-favorite Mardi Gras experiences including samples of the history, food, music, dancing, and more."

WHAT TO EXPECT AT GATOR BY THE BAY?

Hosting everything from A to Zydeco, this four-day, family-friendly event features more than 100 live musical acts and special performances. Here’s the complete music line up. The event includes over 10,000 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana, a chef-led gumbo cook-off, flowing libations, seven stages – five with wooden dance floors, a Mardi Gras costume parade, and a full weekend of fun to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend. Each day during Gator By The Bay brings new experiences, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments at every corner with activities designed for music lovers, food enthusiasts, dancers, and more.

Gator By The Bay kicks is like a four day weekend, kicking off Thursday, May 11, 2023 with an evening concert, followed by three full days of nonstop crawfish sucking and New Orleans celebration. You’ll want to plan out which day or days you want to attend, or heck, just get the multi-day pass and enjoy it all. You can also go deluxe and get a VIP pass for reserved seating at the main stages, catered lunch, even upgraded restrooms(!). Look, just click the button below to get all of the info. Trust me, this is one of San Diego’s most fun events of the year!

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO GATOR BY THE BAY? Wait, Early Bird Discounts???

There are several ways to experience Gator By The Bay, including single day, multi-day and hotel ticket packages. Early bird pricing is available if you get your tickets NOW!

• Thursday Evening Concert: $45 early bird ticket, $55 gate. Deluxe dinner tickets also available.

• Single Day Friday: $50 early bird ticket, $65 gate

• Single Day Saturday: $60 early bird ticket, $75 gate

• Single Day Sunday: $55 early bird ticket, $70 gate

• Three-Day Pass: $165 early bird ticket, $205 standard

• Four-Day Pass: $210 early bird ticket, $250 standard

• Patron Single Day VIP Experience: $220 Sat early bird, $210 Sun early bird, $420 both days early bird. After that it’s $240 Sat, $230 Sun, $459 both days. What’s included in the Patron Pass? Click here for more details.