Tiki Oasis’ Way Out West, brought to you by hosts Baby Doe & Otto von Stroheim, will be a five-night, four-day live music event this year. Beginning Wednesday, July 31, through Sunday, August 4, 2024, this year’s event at San Diego’s Town & Country Hotel and Resort is inspired by a mid-century modern Western-inspired theme and vintage wear and, as always, is a pet-friendly event.
The weekend includes live and DJ music, fashion shows, swanky suites, Exotica, cocktail tasting, pool lounging, sunset dinners, art exhibits, educational seminars, a HUGE Tiki Marketplace, a beauty Boutiki, a photo studio, tropical cocktails curated by top mixologists, and— new this year—a kick-off Luau at The Catamaran Resort Hotel. The San Diego event will also feature the Tiki Oasis Bartender Battle, a “throw down in a no-holds-barred Tropical Cocktail Challenge” of participating local bartenders sponsored by Planteray Rum, Diamond Rum Reserve, and Bauchant Orange Liqueur.
Now in its 24th year, Tiki Oasis is the “original and largest Tiki event in the entire world” and is the “largest and longest-running festival in the World for Lovers of Island Lifestyle and purveyors of Polynesian Pop.”
The Animal Print Meet-up at Tiki Oasis 2023. Photo by Elise Thompson.
Live Music, DJ’s, Seminars, and More
King Kukulele will once again emcee the massive line-up of live bands and DJ’s on the mainstage, where original Beach Boy, Al Jardine, and his Endless Summer Band are to headline on Saturday night.
Additional bands include Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Deke & The Whippersnappers, The Untamed Youth, Ixtahulé, The Crawdaddys, Taimane Gardner, The Satin Dollz, Venturesmania!, The Apemen, MeduSirena the Fire Eating Mermaid, Par Avion, The Outta Sites, Project: Pimento from San Francisco, The Centuries–a Tribute to El Vez and the Trailer Park Casanovas, Ruiko Satoya of Japan, Slack Key ‘Ohana of San Diego, Dirty Fuse of Greece, The Double Whammys of Las Vegas, The Ogres of San Francisco, Surfer Joe of Italy, Manakooras of North Carolina, The Scimitars of Southern California, and belly dancer Jayna Manoushe.
DJ’s featured throughout the event and resort grounds include Anja & Mike Stax, Astro 138, Babzotica, Bigtikidude, Bird Calls, CK Smart, Dirt Chylde, Dominic Priore, El Dedo, Eric Musick, Gianni Beatnik, Kate Scratch Fever, Lee Joseph, Lucky Ritz, Mahalo Matt, Mark A: The Suburban Savage, Nuria, James David, Otto, Rockin’ Dj Amy Dee, Ship Rex, Tanoa “Samoa Boy”, Mike LaVella, Tropicana Joe, Skipper Josh, Great Gallaspy, Spin Lizzy, and Tony the Tyger.
Mx Tiki Oasis 2024
The Tiki Oasis annual pageant is unique in its inclusivity, and finalists of any sex are chosen by an overall number of votes and at the discretion of Tiki Oasis and a panel of judges. Donning their finest inspired, vintage, or retro wear, the pageant winner will be chosen from the finalists on Thursday, August 1, 2024, by a panel of judges at Tiki Oasis.
Late Night at the Oasis
Always a spectacular bonus of Tiki Oasis are both the sponsored cocktail and rum tasting parties and other hosted room parties. Parties are scheduled, where sanctioned by the event, and/or announced on flyers throughout the event and in Facebook groups, and typically beginning around 10 p.m., unless posted otherwise. Note that some parties will feature non-alcoholic cocktails as well.
However, more live music and DJ’s continue at 11 p.m. in the Pacific Ballroom, decked out for the occasion and complete with a huge dance floor and stations for cocktails, beer, and wine. But be sure to get there earlier for seating, as the night grows.
Thereafter is the Midnight Burlesque Show, Thursday through Saturday, exclusively for the event and is included with the Four and Five Day Tiki Oasis Resort Passes. The midnight festivities are hosted by emcees Tito Bonito, DeeDee Cupcake, and El Vez, respectively, highlighting the tantalizing talents of burlesque artists Alaina Rose Lee, Bo Vixxen, Bunny Pistol, Cabernet Dance, Core D’Luxe, Froufrou d’Absinthe, God-dess Egypt BlaqueKnyle, Jolie Goodnight, Kara Spade, Kitten DeVille, Lacey Lilac, Lola Demure, Miss Onyx Nova, Miss Spent Youth, Moxie Gold, Nayna La Santa, Ruby Champagne, Ruby Joule, Saint Aramis, Shiza Minnelli, Tula Casati, and Winter Sinclair.
Artist Big Toe at Tiki Oasis Marketplace. Photo by Lee Joseph.
New This Year
Tiki Oasis opens with a Luau this year, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and is off-site at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in San Diego. Established in 1958, the historic Catamaran Resort Hotel features original Polynesian motif, tikis, tropical landscaping, and other authentic Polynesian artifacts. This kick-off event is to include a lei greeting, welcome Mai Tai, and all-you-can-eat buffet, with entertainment by local luau group Pride of Polynesia. The Luau is a separate admission or is included in the Platinum Ticket Package.
For the weekend, Tiki Oasis 2024 is a “total hotel take-over” of the Town and Country Resort” with five on-site restaurant and dining opportunities, including the MRKT for picnic and charcuterie. Added this year are concert viewing options at both the Arlo and Lapper, so be sure to reserve a table for brunch or dinner in advance.
Also unique and exclusive to Tiki Oasis is the Tiki Marketplace housed in the resort’s expansive convention halls and space, along with educational-as-well-as-entertaining seminars, art show, the Bartender Battle, tastings, and various fashion shows, a pooch parade, and other meet-ups.
Tiki marketplace (free to the public)
Art Show
Seminar Highlights
Tiki Oasis 2024 Way Out West and the Town & Country are located at 500 Hotel Circle, San Diego, CA 92108, with the exception of the Luau, Wednesday, July 31, through Sunday, August 4, 2024. The hotel is booked up and the waiting list doesn’t look good. Stays at the partner hotel, Best Western Seven Seas can be made at the hotel where a group rate is provided, where available. Be sure to get your tickets in advance as rates change at the door, however, Four Day and Five Day passes are only available for online purchases prior to Thursday or Wednesday’s kick-off. Be sure to check the site for updated info.
