Each Spring Universal Orlando celebrates Mardi Gras with their own special celebrational of street performers, parades, live music, and specialty food items including authentic Cajun specialties. Scroll down for our full review on this experience and the BEST Universal parade!
This is one of our favorite events at Universal Orlando which is great during a time of the year when things are slowing down after the holiday season.
Keep reading for all the details of Universal Orlando Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval including the newly announced 2026 concert dates.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Dates
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras takes place in Universal Studios Florida. The 2026 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras dates are February 7 through April 4, 2026.
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If you want to visit with the lowest crowds, visiting Universal in February is a great idea before the busy Spring Break season kicks off in March.
This is a popular celebration that will see increased crowds during the Spring Break season, guests should show up with a plan in place to make the most out of their day. See our Universal Orlando crowd calendar for an idea of project crowd levels.
Read our full guide to Universal Orlando Express Pass- is it worth it to pay to skip lines?
Universal Orlando Discount Tickets
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You’ll want to consider the Park-To-Park tickets because they are the only way you are able to experience the Hogwarts Express. Also, with a Park-To-Park ticket, you’ll be able to avoid starting the day in the park with the biggest crowd prediction and then switch over to experience more across both parks.
If you are a member of an organization that may qualify for discount tickets or are interested in the Annual Pass option, you should read our guide to discount Universal Studios Orlando ticket options.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Parade
The main event is the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras parade which features six parade floats inspired by the year’s theme and six New Orleans-inspired floats. The 2025 Mardi Gras parade theme is inspired by Earth, wind, fire, water, the sun and the moon. The new collection of element floats will join the traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats.
Guests can also sign up to ride on the floats and toss beads to other guests by either purchasing a dining package or signing up in advance- more on this below!
This is a family friendly way to celebrate Mardi Gras as Universal seeks to emulate the experience by including bead throwing from the floats, street performers, and a full lineup of entertainment.
The Universal Orlando Mardi Gras parade totally blew me away and is easily one of the BEST parades I’ve seen at Universal Orlando. Yes, even compared to the popular holiday parade during the Universal Orlando Christmas celebration!
For Disney fans who love the Paint the Night parade, this parade was giving a similar vibe with the bright lights and decorative costumes. Be prepared to catch ALL the beads during this parade as those riding the floats have a blast throwing beads to the crowd. We ended up with nearly 50 strands of beads at the end of it! Kids especially get into this experience with many kids going nuts over trying to catch the beads. And some adults too!
This parade is a must see experience and was one of my favorite parts of the Universal Orlando Mardi Gras celebration. We loved this parade and the floats were absolutely stunning especially the new element themed floats.
How to Ride the Mardi Gras Floats
Guests can also get the chance to ride one of the Universal Mardi Gras parade floats! This is such a cool opportunity Universal Orlando offers as not many guests get the chance to ride a parade float in their lifetime- much less at a theme park!
Float riders must be 18 years or older if not accompanied by an adult. All riders must be at least 48” in height. No large bags or strollers are allowed. The float can accommodate standard push wheelchairs with advance notice
Your float will be determined when you receive your wristband at check-in on the day of the event. However, your float may change without notice but Universal will try to keep parties together.
Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience
The Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine experience includes a 3-course meal at one of four participating restaurants and one Mardi Gras parade float rider reservation.
Participating restaurants include The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Finnegan’s Bar & Grill and Lombard’s Seafood Grille.
The Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience include one appetizer, one entrée, one dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage starting at $84.99 plus tax per person, as well as one Mardi Gras parade float rider reservation on the same day.
Guests can purchase this experience online or by calling 407-224-7554. Universal Orlando Passholders receive a 15% discount off the ticketed price of the experience with a valid Pass when purchasing by calling 407-224-7554, or in person at the Front Gate or a Guest Services location of the theme parks.
Daily Parade Sign Up
Universal Mardi Gras Live Music
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras also features live performances from top names in music.
Here is the 2026 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras concert schedule:
- February 14 – Portugal. The Man
- February 15 – Ivy Queen
- February 21 – Joey Fatone & AJ McLean
- February 28 – RuPaul (DJ Set)
- March 7 – Ziggy Marley
- March 13 – Tyler Hubbard
- March 14 – Bebe Rexha
- March 15 – Zedd
- March 21 – Barenaked Ladies
- March 28 – The All-American Rejects
Universal Mardi Gras Food
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval food featured a wide range of global Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Spain to China and beyond with an expansive menu featuring more than 60 tasting-sized items. And of course, the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake!
Guests will find kiosks around the park featuring a wide variety of food including the classic Fried Green Tomato Po’boy and Beignets from New Orleans, Chicken Schnitzel from Germany, Chilaquiles Verdes from Mexico and more.
Guests can purchase the Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card by paying $65 for a $75 card, and Universal Orlando Passholders have exclusive access to a $150 card for only $120.
These food booths are all conveniently located around Universal Studios Florida with many of them stationed alongside the parade route and near many of the available photo ops. There are plenty of beaches and seating area near these booths and the entire experience was easy to navigate. They tend to be much more popular on live music nights so be prepared for longer lines on those evenings!
Guests can also find unique menu items exclusive to the nearby Universal Orlando hotels including the Crawfish and Andouille Sausage Egg Roll at Islands Dining Room in Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Mardi Gras Empanadas at Amatista Cookhouse in Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Jambalaya at Beach Break Cafe in Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites and more.
Themed Mardi Gras Tribute Store
Universal Orlando creates an immersive retail location, the Mardi Gras Tribute Store, to celebrate an international jazz celebration that leads through traditional alleyways of New Orleans and into a speakeasy.
This is also where you can get all the event exclusive merchandise including apparel, treats, themed beads, and more.
Universal Orlando CityWalk
Universal CityWalk also features Mardi Gras menu items at select restaurants along with food kiosks featuring menu items that offer a taste of the Mediterranean, the Islands, and popular Mardi Gras fare.
Guests can also attend a Mardi Gras After Party at Pat O’Brien’s on select nights and enjoy special entertainment and theming at the Red Coconut Club which will transform into the Cursed Coconut Club for the Mardi Gras season.
Read more about Universal CityWalk in our guide to the best dining and shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios takes place from February through the middle of April each year.
Yes, Universal Mardi Gras is free! It is included with your regular Universal Orlando park ticket.
Mardi Gras in Universal features 12 parade floats each year with some inspired by a yearly theme. The celebration includes street performers, a full menu of flavors and live music.
Concerts usually start by 8:30PM or 9PM.
Plan your Universal Orlando Trip!
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