Emphasizing the rollicking music, food, and Mardi Gras spirit of Louisiana, San Diego’s 16th-annual Gator by the Bay bills itself as “the largest, most authentic good-times music, dance, and culture festival in Southern California.” The event features four days of live music with over 100 performances on seven stages plus shaded dance floors for non-stop dancing, cooking demos, and 10,000 pounds of live crawfish brought in fresh from Louisiana.

Since its inception in 2001 the festival has grown to showcase not only Grammy-winning Cajun and zydeco artists directly from Louisiana but also legendary Chicago and California blues artists, rockabilly and roots performers, and salsa and Latin bands. Children 17 and under free with paid adult, and kids can enjoy an activity area. It kicks off with boogie-woogie blues singer and pianist Marcia Ball on Thursday.

Other performers include Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Igor Prado Band, Flipside Burners, Sister Speak, Ben Powell, the Farmers, and the Dennis Jones Band. $35-$40; three- and four-day passes available.