Mardi Gras In San Diego: Best Parades, Parties, and Events

by Maria Haase

The wonderful festival of Mardi Gras is fast approaching, and San Diego is preparing for an action-packed few weeks filled with live music, food and drinks, and good times leading up to Fat Tuesday on February 21, 2023. It is definitely one of the top events in February in San Diego.

Deciding what to do during Mardi Gras in San Diego can be challenging since there’s such a variety of parades and events. We’ve come up with a comprehensive list to get you in the party spirit. Get your dancing shoes ready because it’s time to laissez les bon temps rouler.

gold, purple, and green colored mardi gras mask, beads and feathers

I lived in Louisiana for a while growing up, so Mardi Gras is one of my favorite holidays every year. I love the beads, the music, and of course the King cake. Yum! Yes, it is not as big a deal here in San Diego as in New Orleans or Lafayette, but it is still a lot of fun. If you haven’t been to a Mardi Gras event yet, I highly recommend these fun things to do for Mardi Gras in San Diego:

Mardi Gras Parades

Mardi Gras In The Gaslamp Quarter

Kick off Mardi Gras festivities New Orleans style in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. Filled with three days of masquerade parades with stilt walkers, colorful dancing, and bustling nightclubs along fifth avenue, you’re in for a wild time.

Get your hands on presale tickets for $25, which includes free entry into bars and clubs, food and drinks specials, free overnight parking, and discounts for selected hotels.

Dates for this incredible event are the 17th, 18th, and 21st of February, 2023.

Find out more information here.

Mardi Gras At SeaWorld

Plan your next visit to SeaWorld in San Diego over the Mardi Gras period. Join in on the excitement as America’s best theme park puts on an opening parade of masked circus performers, giving you that Brazilian feeling. Don’t miss performances by the Good Time jazz band and other DJs who will blast out all your favorite Mardi Gras-themed songs.

SeaWorld will be hosting several events on Saturdays and Sundays between January 21st and February 26th. Parades will also be held on Friday, February 17th, and 20th. Extra tickets aren’t required, just pay for park entry and immerse yourself in the Mardi Gras celebrations.

Find out more information here.

Mardi Gras Parties And Events

Mardi Gras Downtown Massive Theme Bar Crawl and Ball

This fun-filled Mardi Gras bar crawl offers a night of great entertainment. Stop by many bars playing live music in Downtown San Diego with professional photographers, costume competitions, and drink specials for every participant. You’ll receive a wristband before you head off, which can be used on discounts throughout the evening.

The group will be guided by a leader who knows where all the best parties are on the night, so you’re in safe hands.

Dates available for the fat Tuesday bar crawl are the 17th and 26th of February. Tickets cost between $10 and $30, depending on when you purchase them.

Find out more information here.

Mardi Gras Weekend Hosted By The Dog Society

Enjoying a Mardi Gras event doesn’t have to be without your doggy. Enjoy some bingo and trivia and a costume contest throughout the family-friendly weekend. Chance your arm at trying to win your discounted favorite beer by lassoing a bottle of it. There will be plenty of opportunities to win great discounted prizes. Don’t miss out!

Tickets are free for this event, and it takes place at the Dog Society on the 19th and 20th of February.

Find out more information here.

Ocean Beach Mardi Gras – The Farmers – The Tighten Ups – Bayou Brothers & Nathan Raney

Get your tickets to see the Farmers with supporting acts like the Tighten Ups, the Bayou Brothers, and the Nathan Raney Band. This promises to be a unique Mardi Gras experience like no other.

Take advantage of the free beans and rice (while stock lasts) and drink specials throughout the event. Admission is $15 at the door or $12 online if you purchase tickets beforehand.

It’s a one-day-only party held in Wisntons Beach Club on February 19th that will be one for the books!

Find out more information here.

Woman with red hair and dark sunglasses, yellow black pants, black top and blazer playing trumpet

closeup of a woman wearing golden glitter hat, purple fedora and pink sunglasses

San Diego Mardi Gras Club Crawl

Let the good times roll on this San Diego club crawl held on February 19th. Gather with 50 other strangers and party in the city’s best clubs, where all of the wildest Mardi Gras parties are being held.

Compared to other events on this list, you get quite a few perks when you book your place on this club crawl, including a free welcome shot, a free necklace, drink deals, no cover fees at any of the clubs, and express entry at all stops. Not too shabby, right?

Tickets cost $35, and we advise you to get there fast as they’re expected to sell out.

Find out more information here.

The Mardi Gras Cruise – Six String Society

Yes, you read that right, the 6th annual Mardi Gras cruise is taking place this year on March 5th, and boy, do they have a good lineup. It will feature eight talented live acts, including amazing jazz bands like the Euphoria Brass Band and blues & soul international star Ms. Whitney Shay and, along with her band, who will play throughout three floors of a stunning riverboat. Dance the night away for six hours to your favorite songs.

Take the party up a notch by booking yourself the VIP cruise package that includes a southern cajun cuisine meal as well as a delicious dessert if you have space at the end. VIP passengers get access to the boat party an hour and a half at 5 pm before standard ticket holders who will board at 6:30. Go on, treat yourself. It’s on Mardi Gras once a year.

Tickets start at $55. The earlier you buy them, the closer you get to the bands, so purchase them as soon as possible.

Find out more information here.