Each May, San Diego Bay trades flip-flops for two-steps when Gator by the Bay rolls in
with its signature mix of zydeco, blues and crawfish.
The 23-year-old festival transforms Spanish Landing Park into a full-scale bayou bash,
featuring more than 100 live performances across seven stages, plus Mardi Gras
parades and authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine. The cultural celebration is renowned
for importing 10,000 pounds of crawfish directly from Louisiana.
And it continues to cement its status as one of the region’s premier music festivals,
offering a diverse range of musical styles. This year’s headliners are some of the most
celebrated names in zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans funk, Western swing and blues,
including NOLA royalty Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen and
Dumpstaphunk, led by Ivan and Ian Neville.
This year’s festival is also growing. For the first time, the festival is adding a free Cajun
Kickoff Party, giving the community an early taste of the sights, sounds and flavors that
define this Mardi Gras-in-May tradition.
Held May 7-10, Gator by the Bay opens with that Thursday-night party on the
Sheraton’s Lanai Lawn. Beginning at 5 p.m., the night features an acoustic jam and
meet-and-greet with Grammy winner Wilson Savoy of The Pine Leaf Boys, along with
dancing, food and drinks to set the tone for the weekend ahead.
“We have a wonderful partner in Crawfish Corner from Opelousas, Louisiana, who
trucks the crawfish to San Diego each year,” said Rich Sherman, producer of Gator by
the Bay along with Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego. “Their owner, Mitch Olivier,
oversees the operation and will join our cooking stage during the weekend to talk all
things crawfish.”
On the main lineup, zydeco heavyweight Chubby Carrier joins alongside Geno Delafose
& French Rockin’ Boogie, while blues fans can lock into the sharp, swaggering attack of
The 44s featuring Kid Ramos on Saturday and Rick Estrin & The Nightcats on Sunday.
The lineup also includes a strong contingent of San Diego artists, including Sue
Palmer’s Black & Blues, Gregory Page, The Farmers, and local legends Bill Magee and
Robin Henkel.
This year’s festival is also adding for the first time “Gator After Dark,” a neon-fueled
nighttime party on Saturday with funkateers Jon Cleary and Dumpstaphunk running to 10 p.m. It’s a subtle evolution, giving the festival a vibrant pulse after sunset without
losing its daytime charm.
“The festival used to end at 8 p.m. on Saturday night,” Sherman explained, “so we
decided to keep the fun going a little longer on all stages, including the Mardi Gras
Stage, where we will close the night with two incredible New Orleans artists.”
Then there’s the dancing. At the Bon Temps Social Club Dance Pavilion, free lessons
led by expert instructors make it easy for anyone to learn zydeco and Cajun two-steps
regardless of experience.
Beyond the music, festivalgoers can savor authentic Crescent City dishes including
beignets, po’boys and gumbo from top vendors in the Bourbon Street food court. And
foodies won’t want to miss the expanded Taste of Louisiana Cooking Pavilion, where
Southern chefs lead lively cooking demonstrations and share their culinary secrets.
Held over Mother’s Day weekend, Gator by the Bay has become a favorite destination
for families to celebrate together, with a Kids Zone and open spaces where little ones
can explore, dance and sample new flavors. Kids under 17 get in free.
The Mardi Gras Market adds another layer, with juried artists and vendors offering
handmade jewelry, artwork, musical instruments, festival merch and gourmet treats.
Nearby, the Bayou Grove Stage hosts storytelling, workshops and jam sessions that
dive into the rich heritage of zydeco, Cajun music and life in Louisiana.
Founded in 2001 by the Bon Temps Social Club, the festival expects about 12,000
attendees this year.
“What makes Gator by the Bay special is the way it brings people together,” Sherman
said. “For four days in May, the San Diego Bay turns into a celebration of Louisiana
music, culture and the spirit of Mardi Gras.”
You can get your tickets here, and then check out this 42-song Spotify playlist to get in
the groove before you go.
Donovan Roche is a longtime music writer and regular contributor to Times of San
Diego.
