The Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Orlando is easily one of the most exciting events Universal puts on each year! We love to attend this event every year—between the amazing food, vibrant parade, thrilling rides, and live concerts, the vibes are spectacular, and there’s something for everyone! 

This guide will help you learn everything you need to know before you visit during the 2025 Mardi Gras season at Universal Orlando. From concerts and parades to food, tickets, parking, tips, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered!

Mardi Gras Overview

Mardi Gras is Universal’s biggest food festival, featuring over 50 food and drink items inspired by flavors all over the world – from King Cakes and Beignets to Cookie Butter Liege Waffles and Pecan Shakes.

Event Dates: Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval runs daily from Feb. 1 – March 30, 2025.

Admission: As long as you have a valid admission ticket for Universal Studios Florida on a Mardi Gras event date, it’s free!

Mardi Gras Parade – Enjoy dancers in the street, spectacular floats from New Orleans, and live concerts on select nights on the Music Plaza Stage.

Parking: If you’re driving, plan to park in the Universal Orlando Resort parking garage. Parking is free after 6 PM.

Location in the Park: Mardi Gras takes place in the Universal Studios Florida side of Universal Orlando Resort.

Mardi Gras Parade at Universal Orlando

As the Mardi Gras parade winds through the streets of Universal Studios, it features lights, music, dozens of street performers, and beads being thrown from floats made by Kern Studios, the same company that has created Mardi Gras floats for the event in New Orleans.

This year’s Mardi Gras parade theme brings the elements to life in six new, beautifully designed parade floats. They are inspired by earth, wind, fire, water, the sun, and the moon. The new collection of element floats will join Universal’s traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats to create this year’s parade.

Don’t miss seeing Universal’s iconic floats, including King Gator and the riverboat float.

Parade Viewing Tips:

• The Mardi Gras Parade happens every night, but double-check the start time in the Universal Orlando app.
• Arrive at least an hour early to get a prime viewing spot, especially on weekends and concert nights.
• Top viewing spots: Near The Revenge of the Mummy or Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.
• Kids under 10? Check out the Little Jester’s Parade Viewing Area in front of the Brown Derby Hat Shop. Spots fill up quickly!
• Want to get a good concert spot after the parade? Stand across the street from Minion Cafe so you can move to the concert area quickly.

Parade Start Times:

• 5:00 PM: Feb. 4
• 6:00 PM: Feb. 2-3, 5-7, 9-13, 18-21, 24-28, March 3-7, 9, 12, 18
• 7:00 PM: Feb. 14, 17, 23, March 2, 10-11, 13-14, 17, 19-20, 23-28, 30
• 7:30 PM: Feb. 1, 8, 15-16, 22, March 1, 8, 15-16, 21-22, 29

How to Ride on a Mardi Gras Parade Float at Universal Orlando

For annual passholders at Universal Orlando, there’s an exciting opportunity to be a float rider in the iconic Mardi Gras parade! As a float rider, you’ll enjoy the best view of the parade while tossing beads and engaging with the crowd. This exclusive experience is one of my favorite highlights of the event. Registration has already passed and has been sold out but keep an eye out for updates!

Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience: A Unique Dining and Parade Combo

For a truly unique experience, all guests with a valid park admission can purchase the Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience. You’ll get a three-course meal at one of eight participating restaurants with a reserved spot on a parade float. Starting at $89.99, this exciting package lets you indulge in a delicious dinner while taking part in the parade excitement. The experience is available on select dates from Feb. 1-Mar. 30, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that pairs great food with Mardi Gras fun! We personally love The Cowfish® Sushi Burger Bar. A few dates have sold out so be sure to book soon if you’re interested. 

• Passholders save 15% on the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience

Mardi Gras Concerts at Universal Orlando

Every year during Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration, special headliners perform on select nights. Mardi Gras Concerts are included with park admission and take place at Music Plaza Stage in Universal Studios Florida, beginning around 8:30 PM.

Depending on the performer, some guests may begin lining up in the morning. If you’re keen on experiencing Mardi Gras for the concert, I recommend skipping the parade to ensure you get a good spot to watch the show.

Concert crowds vary depending on the artist—last year big names like Zedd and DJ Khaled drew in massive crowds, while others may be easier to get close to. If you want a great concert spot, grab a spot in the grass area about an hour or two ahead of time.

Universal’s 2025 Mardi Gras Concert Lineup

• February 1, 2025: T-Pain
• February 8, 2025: Joe Jonas
• February 15, 2025: Kool & The Gang
• February 16, 2025: Juanes
• February 22, 2025: Scotty McCreery
• March 1, 2025: Foster the People
• March 8, 2025: Illenium
• March 15, 2025: All Time Low
• March 16, 2025: Lawrence
• March 21, 2025: Coco Jones
• March 22, 2025: DJ Pauly D
• March 29, 2025: TLC

2025 Mardi Gras Food & Drink at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando’s 2025 Mardi Gras food lineup is finally here, and let’s just say—we’re already counting down the days until we can dig in! While we haven’t tasted anything yet, just reading through the menu has our stomachs rumbling. As always, there are plenty of Cajun classics like Baked Cajun Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, and the always-popular Twisted Tater, but this year’s global flavors are seriously stealing the show.

We’re especially excited to try the Colombian Burger with its pineapple cabbage slaw, the Duck a l’Orange Crepe from France, and the Margherita Poutine (because who can say no to fries covered in cheese and roasted tomatoes?). And for dessert? King Cake, Churro Loops, and Beignets are a must. With so many options, we’ll definitely be making multiple trips to sample everything. Stay tuned—we’ll be back with our first impressions as soon as we get our hands on these dishes!

Food booths open at 11:00 AM and close approximately 30 minutes before park closing. Stay tuned for more updates as the full 2025 food and drink offerings are revealed!

Save Money with the Universal Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card

For just $65, you can get a $75 card + lanyard, or if you’re an annual passholder, you can save $30. Grab a $150 card for only $120. These cards are valid throughout Universal Orlando Resort and CityWalk, with no limit on the number you can purchase. The best part? They don’t expire, so if you have any leftover balance, you can use it after the event or save it for next year’s event!

Pro Tip: Premier and Preferred Passholders can use their annual pass discounts, 10% discount for Preferred Passholders or 15% for Premier Passholders, on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) when paying with their Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card.

2025 Mardi Gras Drink Cups

Mardi Gras Souvenir Light-Up Blinky Cup: If you’re planning on trying more than one alcoholic drink, this cup is the way to go. Buy the souvenir cup with your first alcoholic drink then use it for refills on both mixed drinks and beers throughout the event. The cup offers an extra 8 ounces for only a little more than the single-serve price.

Mardi Gras Freestyle Cup: For $17.99, this reusable cup gives you free refills all day at Coke Freestyle machines across the resort, including ICEEs. It’s perfect for staying refreshed while enjoying everything Mardi Gras has to offer.

Mardi Gras Entertainment: Dance, Music, and Fun!

The Mardi Gras performers—often seen on stilts—bring the celebration to life, dancing through Universal Studios Florida from 3 PM onward. Beads and Brass Bands add to the atmosphere, marching through the park, while festive parades take place during the event. Don’t miss the Mardi Gras Parade with 12 fantastic floats that’ll bring vibrant energy to your day!

Mardi Gras 2025 Tribute Store & Merchandise

The Universal Orlando 2025 Mardi Gras Tribute Store is officially open, and this year’s theme has us stepping into what feels like an old bayou museum, filled with artifacts, mysterious relics, and, of course, tons of Mardi Gras merch. We’re still waiting on the full story behind the design, but the immersive details already make this one of the most unique Tribute Stores we’ve seen in a while. Wandering through the rooms, we found plenty of shirts, accessories, and collectibles, including a small gator figure that immediately caught our eye—because what’s a bayou without a gator?

One thing we noticed this year was the absence of a dessert case. Either we completely missed it, or Universal decided to shake things up by skipping the sweet treats inside the store this time. If that’s the case, it’s definitely a big change from previous years. But even without the desserts, the Tribute Store is still a must-visit for Mardi Gras fans, whether you’re looking to grab some exclusive merch or just soak in the eerie, swampy vibes. We’ll be back soon for another look (and maybe to bring that little gator home with us)!

Mardi Gras Annual Passholder Perks

Exclusive perks for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders during Mardi Gras 2025:

• Passholder Button – Starting February 1st, you can snag this free UOAP exclusive Mardi Gras Button at UOAP Lounge in Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure | 11am – 4pm or the Tonight Shop at Universal Studios Florida | Park open to Park Close
• Mardi Gras Float Rider Signup –  Reservations were released on January 16, 2025. Due to high demand, Passholder Mardi Gras float riding reservations are currently unavailable. Keep checking, as additional openings may become available.
• Discount on Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience – 15% off for passholders.
• Reserved Parade Viewing Area – In front of Mel’s Drive-In (limited availability).
• Food Discounts – Premier Passholders: 15% off, Preferred Passholders: 10% off at Mardi Gras food kiosks.
• Food & Beverage Card Discount – Purchase a $150 card for $120.

Get ready to eat, dance, and catch some beads—Universal’s Mardi Gras 2025 is set to be an unforgettable experience!