SeeCalifornia.com

Of all the years that San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has hosted a Mardi Gras celebration, 2015 nails it in terms of re-creating the atmosphere of the New Orleans Big Easy. From performances by Snoop Dogg (AKA Snoopadelic,) to the Big Easy Parade featuring the Burning Man float, a 75 member gospel choir and 80 float units, this year’s entertainment is closer to the South’s version of Mardi Gras than ever before, while still maintaining San Diego’s signature showcase of the most beautiful girls in the world.

Spanning a massive 16 city blocks in Gaslamp (once the redlight district of San Diego where ‘ladies of the night’ entertained guests,) the Gaslamp Quarter Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration includes King Club Stage, Krewe du Vieux Stage,  Rue Carnival Hip Hop Stage, Canal Street EDM Stage, and more. The party has a purpose — celebrate, and watch the proceeds of your $30-40 admission support The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, a non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting the Gaslamp Quarter National Historic District’s businesses, restaurants and shops. Gaslamp Quarter is filled with intrigue, ghosts of the past, and enough soul to knock your socks right out of neighboring Petco Ball Park.  Be forewarned that at Mardi Gras the scene is pure madness–exactly what revelers hope for and get! Don’t drink & drive… there are dozens of hotels right in the heart of the district. Places such as Hard Rock Hotel often keep the party going after Mardi Gras shuts down at midnight. Tickets: $30-$40, VIP $80-120 sold at  sdmardigras.com