The Official Mardi Gras 2010 line up!! UPDATED 1/13 with more times

[Metro West]

Wow, I'll be there during Mardi Gras also! Cool!! Are the parades every day or just on Saturdays like the concerts? What time are they usually held?

The parade is only on Saturday nights but the concerts are on some Fridays and Sundays as well as Saturday. I don't remember the exact time the parade started but I think it was around 8:15pm or so...I staked out my spot around 7pm with no issues. The concerts are usually anywhere from 8-9pm depending on the performer. You'll have to check the final schedule for the dates you're looking at.

 

[christophfam]

The parade is only on Saturday nights but the concerts are on some Fridays and Sundays as well as Saturday. I don't remember the exact time the parade started but I think it was around 8:15pm or so...I staked out my spot around 7pm with no issues. The concerts are usually anywhere from 8-9pm depending on the performer. You'll have to check the final schedule for the dates you're looking at.

Thanks!! Any tips on where to try and sit for the parade? After the parade ends, you just head over to the concert? Any tips there?

We'll be there for Blondie so I'm thinking it won't be too crazy crowded. I'm not sure the kids will like the concert, but I think they'll like the parade. We don't usually do parades, but if they are throwing out beads and all the kids will be all over that.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks!! Any tips on where to try and sit for the parade? After the parade ends, you just head over to the concert? Any tips there?

We'll be there for Blondie so I'm thinking it won't be too crazy crowded. I'm not sure the kids will like the concert, but I think they'll like the parade. We don't usually do parades, but if they are throwing out beads and all the kids will be all over that.

Oh trust me...Blondie will be VERY crowded and sometimes you have to decide on whether to grab a spot for the concert or a spot for the parade. I sat over near Mel's Diner last year and the performer was Pat Benatar. I had already seen her in concert back in the 1980's so I wasn't concerned about the concert too much. If you are more concerned about the concert, I would stake out a good spot in front of the stage as soon as you see people starting to fill in. If you really want to see the parade, I would try to find something around the Monster Cafe area. BUT...you will not be able to move once the show starts.

 

[Purseval]

Every concert will be crazy crowded just because they start after the parade so the crowd that is trying to leave goes right past the show. We saw so many near-fights at the Pat Benatar show because people were trying to get to the show while others were trying to get out, it was a mess. We'll be there March 6 but I don't even know what an Akon is, sounds like something that should be below my username.

 

[christophfam]

Oh trust me...Blondie will be VERY crowded and sometimes you have to decide on whether to grab a spot for the concert or a spot for the parade. I sat over near Mel's Diner last year and the performer was Pat Benatar. I had already seen her in concert back in the 1980's so I wasn't concerned about the concert too much. If you are more concerned about the concert, I would stake out a good spot in front of the stage as soon as you see people starting to fill in. If you really want to see the parade, I would try to find something around the Monster Cafe area. BUT...you will not be able to move once the show starts.

Good to know! I guess just because I'm not that interested in seeing them, I shouldn't assume others aren't! I'm just bummed I'm missing Deirks by a week. While I'm sure some would prefer to skip the country music concerts.

So I think we'll skip the madness/concert and just try to catch the parade. I'm thinking up by Louie's might help us avoid some of the concert crowd?

 

[Laurabearz]

Mardi Gras pulls in a CROWD... parks are more crowded that day, and started about 3ish, you can really feel the impact at Studios... by 5 the place is really hopping, and by 7 forgetaboutit

Metro.. I could swear the parade was before the park closed at 8, and then when it ended the concert started (or shortly thereafter)

It's amazing how much we can forget in a year haha

 

[Purseval]

A tip for people who are there for the parade and not the concert: AVOID THE CONCERT AREA!! Even if you are standing near Twister to watch the parade it is better to head over to Finnegans, cut down past the Diner then go down Rodeo Drive to exit than trying to fight the mess created by the people who were watching the parade trying to get in to see the concert.

So I think we'll skip the madness/concert and just try to catch the parade. I'm thinking up by Louie's might help us avoid some of the concert crowd?

We had a nice view in the arcade area just before Jaws. One of the vendors was closing up shop and he had a nice box that was perfect for my wife to sit on while we waited. I ran down to the bakery and brought her back Tiramisu and a cup of tea to help pass the time. If you're determined to get lots of beads you can leave the arcade area after the parade passes and catch them again down by the Diner.

 

[Metro West]

Great thanks! I look forward to seeing them!

Here are a few for you:

 

[donaldduck352]

Great pics metro!!

The only concert that appeals to me is Heart and 3 Doors Down.SW and BG Bands Brew and BBQ gotta better line-up then US.imo

 

[disneynutsss]

Every concert will be crazy crowded just because they start after the parade so the crowd that is trying to leave goes right past the show. We saw so many near-fights at the Pat Benatar show because people were trying to get to the show while others were trying to get out, it was a mess. We'll be there March 6 but I don't even know what an Akon is, sounds like something that should be below my username.

 

[blueiis99]

is mardi gras only on saturdays??

if so i need to change dates

 

[Metro West]

is mardi gras only on saturdays??

if so i need to change dates

The parade is only on Saturday night but the concerts will sometimes be on Friday and Sunday night as well.

 

[blueiis99]

thank you... DATE CHANGES IN ORDER!!!!

 

[Metro West]

thank you... DATE CHANGES IN ORDER!!!!

Sure thing!

 

[F-L-A]

The parade is only on Saturday night but the concerts will sometimes be on Friday and Sunday night as well.

The parade is on every event night, not just Saturdays. Can't have Mardi Gras without a parade.

 

[Metro West]

The parade is on every event night, not just Saturdays. Can't have Mardi Gras without a parade.

They ran the parade on Friday and Sunday night too last year?

 

[EveJer]

Every concert will be crazy crowded just because they start after the parade so the crowd that is trying to leave goes right past the show. We saw so many near-fights at the Pat Benatar show because people were trying to get to the show while others were trying to get out, it was a mess. We'll be there March 6 but I don't even know what an Akon is, sounds like something that should be below my username.

hummmmm....don't mighty oaks grow from little Akons???

 

[caitty13]

I will be there on February 6th for the Mardi Gras, this is the first time so I am excited. I do have one question about it. Are the decorations and merchandise out all day or do they come out later when the parade and concert start? TIA

 

[Laurabearz]

I will be there on February 6th for the Mardi Gras, this is the first time so I am excited. I do have one question about it. Are the decorations and merchandise out all day or do they come out later when the parade and concert start? TIA

There is some out all day, and more as the evening progresses. The food isnt until 5 or 6.

 

[Metro West]

There is some out all day, and more as the evening progresses. The food isnt until 5 or 6.