San Diego Mardi Gras 2025

Choose San Diego to celebrate Mardi Gras in California! Every year, the downtown Gaslamp Quarter hosts massive three-day festivities in the area's best nightclubs, live music clubs, restaurants, and bars. All visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and let themselves loose during flamboyant street parties, New Orleans style, with live jazz and delicious food.

Gaslamp Mardi Gras: Fat Tuesday (February 28–March 1; March 4, 2025)

One of SoCal’s best Fat Tuesday parties features NOLA-themed festivities, cocktails, music, and dances. The entire event consists of a giant street party, with people hopping from bar to bar, enjoying delicious drinks, and flaunting some of the most creative costumes you'll ever see. Beads, wings, flower wreaths are just some of the elements you'll frequently see in the attire of the passers-by.

Multiple festivities and entertainment are available across the neighborhood. Shops, bars, clubs, and restaurants of the Gaslamp Quarter offer major discounts and drop cover charges. The event spans over three days, with the culmination falling on Fat Tuesday. A ticket includes free entry to over 20 bars, restaurants, and clubs along Fifth Ave, as well as special drink tickets. The event is set to span from 6 pm until 2 am every day of Mardi Gras. The festivities kick off at the American Junkie sports bar.

Mardi Gras at SeaWorld San Diego (weekends, January 24–March 2, 2025)

Throughout January, February, and March, SeaWorld San Diego hosts a joyous New Orleans-style carnival with live music and colorful costumes. Visitors can try NOLA-style Creole and Cajun foods, such as jambalaya, beignets, po'boy, and much more. SeaWorld channels true French Quarter vibes with its popular annual Mardi Gras festivities, which are included with park admission.

Opening and closing ceremonies feature the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, while the festivities themselves boast performances of stilt-walkers, jugglers, magicians, and acrobats. And, of course, a traditional Mardi Gras procession, coupled with vibrant costumes and dancing. The hours vary and depend on the month, but generally, SeaWorld opens at 10 am and closes at 7-8 pm on the weekends. Tickets during the Mardi Gras period range from $77.99 to $84.99.