Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida is back, and we had an amazing time celebrating on opening night! If you’re visiting the parks this season, this event is a must-do, bringing all the flavors, sights, and sounds of the Big Easy straight to Orlando.
From now through March 30, 2025, you can experience the vibrant festivities, including incredible food, a lively parade, and live concerts every weekend featuring an exciting lineup of artists! Here’s everything we did on opening night:
Tried Delicious Mardi Gras Food
One of the best parts of Universal’s Mardi Gras is the food! The event features an international selection of flavors inspired by New Orleans and beyond. We indulged in some incredible dishes, from classic beignets to flavorful drinks and other globally inspired street eats. If you’re looking to try multiple dishes, make sure to grab the Mardi Gras food & beverage card, available from February 1 to March 30, 2025. You’ll get $75 worth of food and drinks for just $65—saving you $10 while sampling all the delicious offerings!
Caught the Mardi Gras Parade
The Mardi Gras parade is a highlight of the night, and we made sure to grab a great spot to catch all the dazzling floats and performers. Universal goes all out with its extravagant, colorful parade featuring stilt walkers, energetic dancers, and, of course, plenty of beads flying through the air! Catching beads from the floats is always a fun challenge, and we left with quite the collection.
Saw T-Pain Live in Concert
Another exciting part of Mardi Gras at Universal is the live concert series, with a new artist performing every weekend throughout the event. On opening night, we got to see T-Pain take the stage. Unfortunately, we did not have a great spot for the concert because we were watching the 7:30 PM parade.
Insider Tip: If you’d like a good spot for the concert, please get a spot for the parade near the concert stage or grab a concert spot early and skip the parade. With an amazing lineup of artists scheduled for the season, these concerts are an awesome addition to the Mardi Gras experience. Concert dates include:
- February 1 – T-Pain
- February 8 – Joe Jonas
- February 15 – Kool & The Gang
- February 16 – Juanes
- February 22 – Scotty McCreery
- March 1 – Foster the People
- March 8 – Illenium
- March 15 – All Time Low
- March 16 – Lawrence
- March 21 – Coco Jones
- March 22 – DJ Pauly D
- March 29 – TLC
Explored the Mardi Gras Tribute Store
No visit to Mardi Gras at Universal is complete without a stop at the Mardi Gras Tribute Store! This themed shop is filled with exclusive merchandise, festival-inspired treats, and immersive decor that transports you straight to the bayou for a classic New Orleans celebration. We checked out the latest Mardi Gras apparel, collectibles, and souvenirs—perfect for anyone looking to take a piece of the festival home with them.
If you’re visiting Universal Studios Florida this season, make sure to check out Mardi Gras before it ends on March 30, 2025! With delicious food, an incredible parade, and weekly live concerts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Who’s ready to catch some beads and join the party?
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