Each spring a little Cajun seasoning is in the air as the 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras takes over the Universal Studios Florida theme park. There will be beads, bands, and bayou fun during the 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Celebration that includes an authentic parade straight from New Orleans. Included with theme park admission are headliner concerts featuring artists such as NE-YO, Fifth Harmony, Collective Soul, Toby Keith, and more. Continue reading for full concert lineup and more details about the 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Celebration.
King Gator Float at Universal Orlando Mardi Gras. Photo by Kevin Kolczynski © Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
Update February 9, 2017
On Saturday, February 11th, NE-YO will be performing live at Universal Orlando’s 2017 Mardi Gras celebration.
The R&B, pop, and hip-hop singer’s debut album, “In My Own Words” was released in 2006 and reached the No.1 spot on the Billboard 200. NE-YO’s most popular hits include “Closer,” “Miss Independent” and “One in a Million.” In 2015, the artist released his latest album “Non-Fiction” and recently, he serves as judge on the new ultimate dance competition show World of Dance coming to NBC this summer.
Original post from January 14, 2017 follows below
From Universal Orlando Resort’s Press Release
Universal Orlando Resort today announced the headliners taking the stage for the 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras celebration– a family-friendly version of the famed New Orleans bash that features Cajun-style cuisine, authentic New Orleans flare, a spectacular parade, and – on select nights – live concerts by a star-studded lineup of musical artists covering everything from pop and R&B to rock and disco.
The 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras will run daily from February 4 through March 25 – giving guests 50 nights to join the celebration. For 12 select nights during the event, guests can enjoy performances by nationally-recognized musical acts including award winning-multiplatinum selling Fifth Harmony, three-time GRAMMY Award winner NE-YO, superstar singer-songwriter Toby Keith and rock band Collective Soul. For the complete line-up and performance schedule, see below.
Fifth Harmony performing at 2017 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras, image courtesy Universal Orlando Resort
| 2017 MARDI GRAS HEADLINERS LINE-UP | |
| Mardi Gras Event Dates | Headliners
(performing in the Music Plaza) |
| Feb. 4 | Trace Adkins |
| Feb. 11 | NE-YO |
| Feb. 18 | Collective Soul |
| Feb. 19 | X Ambassadors |
| Feb. 25 | Fifth Harmony |
| March 4 | Kool & the Gang |
| March 5 | Olivia Newton-John |
| March 11 | UB40 |
| March 12 | Toby Keith |
| March 18 | Jason Derulo |
| March 19 | Earth, Wind & Fire |
| March 25 | The All – American Rejects |
| 2017 MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS BANDS LINE-UP | |
| Mardi Gras Event Dates | New Orleans Bands
(performing in the French Quarter) |
| Feb. 4 – Feb. 14 | Young Pipeline Brass Band |
| Feb. 15 – Feb. 21 | New Breed Brass Band |
| Feb. 22 – March 5 | Free Agents Brass Band |
| March 6 – March 15 | Naughty Professor Brass Band |
| March 16 – March 25 | Dirty Bourbon River Show |
The celebration also includes a uniquely themed nightly parade featuring festive Mardi Gras floats – complete with New Orleans-inspired music, dozens of colorful dancers and stilt performers, and more than one million beads. This year’s parade will feature six all-new Mythical Creatures Themed floats including, The Dance of the Dragon, The Flight of the Pegasus, and The Rise of the Garuda. All of the exquisitely detailed Mardi Gras floats are engineered by Blaine Kern Artists, the same company that has hand crafted floats for the iconic New Orleans celebration since 1947.
Guests can also enjoy authentic New Orleans-style cuisine at The French Quarter Courtyard and performances by bands pulled straight from Bourbon Street.
Photo by Kevin Kolczynski © Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
The excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with an Annual Pass. For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.
