Mardi Gras returns to Universal with food, parades and concerts

It’s almost Mardi Gras time again at the biggest celebration outside of New Orleans. Universal Studios will play host to Mardi Gras parades, food and music once again this year select nights from Feb. 12 to April 23, 2011.

Nationally renowned musical acts will combine with an authentic Mardi Gras parade, dozens of costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans. Universal Orlando has been creating its special Mardi Gras celebration for more than 15 years – bringing the Big Easy and great concerts to guests for just their theme park admission.

“If you can’t be in New Orleans or if you can’t get enough of Mardi Gras, then Universal Orlando is the place to be,” said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. “We bring all of what makes Mardi Gras great together with national-level musical artists to create a family-friendly celebration that fills the entire theme park.”

This year’s special Mardi Gras concert line-up features some of the biggest names in Rock, Country, Pop and R&B. Together, the headliners have had more than 100 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and more than 20 Grammy nominations.

Headline Concerts
Saturday, Feb. 12: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Saturday, Feb. 19: The B-52s
Sunday, Feb. 20: KC & The Sunshine Band
Saturday, Feb. 26: Pitbull
Saturday, March 5: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, March 12: Foreigner
Friday, March 18: Neon Trees
Saturday, March 19: The Roots
Friday, March 25: OneRepublic
Saturday, March 26: Blake Shelton
Friday, April 1: Sean Kingston
Saturday, April 2: Ne-Yo
Saturday, April 9: Lifehouse
Saturday, April 16: The Beach Boys
Saturday, April 23: Thirty Seconds To Mars

Along with top-name talent comes the world-famous parade – straight from the streets of New Orleans. One-dozen elaborate, hand-crafted floats designed and built by Blaine Kern Artists – the same company that creates floats for New Orleans Mardi Gras – will make their way through the streets of Universal Studios along with dozens of colorfully costumed performers and hundreds of float riders – all of whom throw beads to eager guests. The parade, with its Fire, Air, Water, Earth theme, will also feature music and a nightly King and Queen of Mardi Gras.

The “French Quarter Courtyard” will feature New Orleans-inspired food creations by Universal’s chefs – including jambalaya, Po Boy sandwiches and more. And nearly one-dozen hand-picked, authentic New Orleans bands will perform the best of The Big Easy’s Blues, Jazz and Zydeco.

New Orleans Band
Feb. 12: Big Al & The Heavyweights
Feb. 19 and 20: Lil Malcolm & the House Rockers
Feb. 26: John Lisi & Delta Funk
March 5: Grady Champion
March 12: Honey Island Swamp Band
March 18 and 19: J.J. Caillier & The Zydeco Knockouts
March 25 and 26: Soul Project
April 1 and 2: Lil Brian & The Zydeco Travelers
April 9: Rockin’ Jake
April 16: Beth McKee & the Sliders
April 23: Daddy Mack Blues Band

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit universalorlando.com/mardigras.