San Diego, CA ~ May 7 – May 10, 2026
Tickets Now On Sale
The Louisiana-themed festival returns May 7–10 with GRAMMY winners, 100+ performances, 10,000 lbs of crawfish!
Spanish Landing Park
East 3900 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA — Laissez les bons temps rouler! The beloved Gator By The Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival returns May 7–10, 2026. Spanish Landing Park will transform into the most authentic Louisiana cultural celebration on the West Coast. Produced by the Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego and Omega Events, the four-day festival brings the spirit of the bayou to San Diego Bay. There will be more than 100 live performances across seven stages. This vibrant Mardi Gras-style celebrations has 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked in directly from Louisiana.
Free Thursday kickoff party at the Sheraton’s Lanai Lawn at 5 p.m.
Western Swing Under The Stars on May 8
The Thursday Kick-Off Party invites San Diegans to get a taste of the bayou before the full festival begins, featuring an acoustic music jam, dancing, food trucks and beverages, along with a special meet-and-greet with GRAMMY®-winning musician Wilson Savoy, bandleader of the celebrated Cajun group The Pine Leaf Boys. The lively evening sets the tone for a weekend of music, culture and celebration along the San Diego Bay.
HEADLINERS
Headlining the 2026 festival are some of the most celebrated names in Zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans funk, and blues music, including NOLA musical icons Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen and Dumpstaphunk, led by Ivan and Ian Neville, plus GRAMMY® Award winner Chubby Carrier, Zydeco favorite Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, and blues powerhouse Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. The lineup also features The Pine Leaf Boys, led by GRAMMY® winner Wilson Savoy, acclaimed vocalist John Németh with the Johnny Vernazza Band, Kirk Fletcher & Erika Baier, and the crowd-favorite Western Swing Kickoff featuring Deke Dickerson & Mitch Polzak. The festival always features an array of San Diego’s favorite artists, and this year includes Sue Palmer’s Black & Blues, Gregory Page, The Farmers, Whitney Shay with Laura Chavez, Kimmi Bitter, The Sleepwalkers and the Euphoria & Chunky Hustle Brass Bands.
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
“What makes Gator By The Bay special is the way it brings people together,”
said Rich Sherman, producer of Gator By The Bay. “Every year we bring the sounds of Louisiana, incredible Cajun and Creole food and a whole lot of dancing to San Diego. For four days in May, the San Diego Bay turns into a celebration of music, culture
and the spirit of Mardi Gras.”
Beyond the music, Gator By The Bay immerses visitors in the traditions, flavors and spirit of Louisiana. Festivalgoers can savor authentic Creole and Cajun dishes, including 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked in straight from Louisiana – along with gumbo, po’boys, beignets and other Southern specialties from top vendors in the Bourbon Street food court.
Food lovers won’t want to miss the Taste of Louisiana Cooking Pavilion, where Southern chefs bring the bayou to San Diego through lively cooking demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Guests can watch chefs prepare Cajun and Creole classics and pick up a few culinary secrets along the way.
BRING THE FAMILY
Held over Mother’s Day weekend, Gator By The Bay has become a favorite destination for families to celebrate together. Alongside great music and authentic Louisiana food, kids can enjoy playful activities and open spaces to dance and explore. Children 17 and under receive free admission with a paid adult,. This makes it easy for the whole family to join the fun. While the music sets the tone, dancing is where the magic really happens. At the Bon Temps Social Club Dance Pavilion, guests of all ages and experience levels are invited to join free dance lessons led by expert instructors. Whether you’re trying Zydeco for the first time or perfecting your Cajun two-step, it’s all about jumping in, finding the rhythm and sharing the dance floors at the Mardi Gras, Festival, and Bourbon Street stages. Festivalgoers can also stroll through the dazzling Mardi Gras Market, where juried artists and vendors offer everything from handmade jewelry and artwork to musical instruments, festival merchandise and gourmet treats.
Since 2012, Gator By The Bay has served as an official ambassador of Louisiana, bringing the state’s vibrant culture, music and traditions to Southern California. From the sounds of accordion, fiddle and rubboard to the aroma of crawfish boiling and gumbo simmering, the festival transforms San Diego Bay into a true bayou celebration. A quick recap:
Guests can enjoy more than 100 performances across seven stages, Mardi Gras parades, cooking demos, dance floors and 10,000 pounds of fresh crawfish, while the Bayou Grove Stage offers storytelling, workshops and jam sessions that dive into the rich heritage of Zydeco, Cajun music and life in Southwest Louisiana.
For tickets and additional information, please visit https://gatorbythebay.com.
Tickets and Info
Join us for a weekend filled with authentic Louisiana culture, food, and music! gatorbythebay.com
