If you’re looking for a little slice of the Louisiana bayou right in here in SoCal, Gator By The Bay is the place to be. Often described as “Mardi Gras in May,” this 4-day festival is the largest and most authentic Louisiana-themed cultural celebration on the West Coast. Produced by the Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego and Omega Events, it takes over the beautiful Spanish Landing Park – right on the San Diego Bay.
Gator By The Bay – a slice of Louisiana in America’s Finest City
The festival takes place between May 7–10, making it the perfect destination for Mother’s Day Weekend. To kick things off, a free Thursday party takes place at the Sheraton’s Lanai Lawn. It features music, dancing, food trucks, and a meet-and-greet with GRAMMY-winning musician Wilson Savoy.
As for the rest of the days…put those dancing shoes on! The festival features more than 100 live performances across 7 different stages, spanning genres like Zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans Funk, American Electric Blues, Rockabilly, and Western Swing.
2026 headliners & notable acts
- New Orleans legends: Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Dumpstaphunk
- Zydeco & Cajun favorites: Chubby Carrier, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, and The Pine Leaf Boys
- Blues: Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, John Németh, Kirk Fletcher & Erika Baier
- Western Swing & Rockabilly: Deke Dickerson & the Bostonia Boys, Mitch Polzak
You can also expect local San Diego favorites like Sue Palmer’s Black & Blues, Whitney Shay with Laura Chavez, and the Euphoria Brass Band.
What’s on the menu? Crawfish!
You can’t have a Louisiana festival without incredible Creole and Cajun food. The absolute highlight of the event is the 10,000 pounds of live crawfish trucked in straight from the Louisiana bayous. The Bourbon Street food court will also be serving up classics like gumbo, po’boys, and fresh beignets.
Experiences and fun activities
Here’s what else is going on at Gator By The Bay:
- Dance lessons: At the Bon Temps Social Club Dance Pavilion, you can take free dance lessons from expert instructors. They’ll teach you everything from the Cajun two-step to Zydeco moves.
- Learning experiences: Want to know the difference between Cajun and Zydeco? The Bayou Grove stage offers storytelling, jam sessions, and musical workshops that dive into the heritage of Southwest Louisiana.
- The Mardi Gras market: A shopping bazaar featuring stylish clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, gourmet treats, and festival merch.
- Fun for the littles ones: Kids can enjoy open areas to run and play, and children 17 and under get in completely free with a paid adult.
Are we ready to “Laissez les bons temps rouler?!” See you at the bay.
