San Diego’s annual Gator By The Bay, a Louisiana-themed music and food festival, will be held this weekend.
The festival, which runs through Sunday, features four days of live music with more than 100 musical acts and special performances on seven stages, southern cuisine including 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked from Louisiana, non-stop live music, dancing and family fun at Spanish Landing Park.
- Some of the headliners this year include:
Grammy-award winning Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys from Mamou
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, a Grammy-award winning band straight from Lafayette
Grammy-nominated Zydeco band Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie from Eunice
Guests can also expect a French Quarter Food Court complete with boudin sausage, catfish, alligator, barbecue and oysters, shopping and plenty of activities for the kids.
The event takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Daily festival tickets range from $30 to $40. Three-day and four-day passes are available.
Here are some other events happening this weekend:
San Diego Jewish Food Festival
Make your way to Poway on Sunday to sample some authentic Jewish cuisines. The San Diego Jewish Festival will offer guests everything from latkes to blintzes to falafels and rugalachs. You can also expect celebrity chef demonstrations and food booths with information about Jewish cooking from Israel, the Middle East, Spain, Eastern Europe, and American delicatessens and bakeries. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Star Wars at the Library
The force is strong at the San Diego Central Library this weekend. The downtown library will host a gathering to celebrate the movie series. Guests can expect cosplay and plenty of fun activities. It takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Tacotopia
Fifty taco vendors will gather in Golden Hill this weekend to show off their taco-making skills. The San Diego Reader’s Tacotopia will include grub from restaurants such as Puesto, City Tacos, Devilicious Food Truck and the Fish Pit. Guests can also expect margaritas and live music. Plus, you get to vote for the best taco. The event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for the 21 and up event ranges from $40 to $55.
Chocolate Festival
Sample some delicious chocolate while strolling through the San Diego Botanic Gardens. The Encinitas attraction is hosting a chocolate festival featuring various chocolate artisans from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Attendees can also expect demonstrations and tips on how to create chocolate. The event is free with paid admission.
Making Chocolates with Mom
Speaking of chocolates, a local chocolatier will host a class in honor of Mother’s Day. Sweet Petite Confections will host a chocolate-making class for you and your mom. Attendees can expect to make molded chocolates and barks, among other treats. The event takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Bay Park. The cost is $40.
San Diego Surf Film Festival
The sixth annual San Diego Surf Film Festival splashes into town this week. The festival features 25 international surf films at Misfit Pictures in La Jolla. The event, which runs through Saturday, spotlights Father Joe’s Villages in a three-minute film that tells a story of hope and homelessness.
Mother’s Day Brunch
Are you looking for a fabulous restaurant to celebrate your mother? Check out our Mother’s Day Brunch Guide for a list of restaurants going all out for the mamas in San Diego.
Have an event to include in the weekend guide? Email it to hoaq@timesofsandiego.com.