Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando: 30 years of Beads, Big Bands and Beignets

Universal Studios Orlando kicks off its Mardi Gras festivities on February 1, 2025.

Time to bust out the beads, because Mardi Gras is headed back to Universal Orlando!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. The colorful event takes over Universal Studios through Cajun-style flavors, music, parades and all-around energy to celebrate the season.

Festivities start February 1st, and run through March 30th during park hours, with special musical guests hitting the stage on select nights.

Even better, you don’t need to pay extra or reserve time to take it all in. The décor, performances and parades are all included in your theme park admission!

Nightly parades bring a whole new life to the streets of Universal Studios, where brightly-colored floats and jazz music light up the crowd. To mark the 30th anniversary, Universal is introducing six, brand-new floats to the lineup that pay homage to the Mardi Gras traditions of New Orleans.

You’ll find your rhythm while catching beads tossed from the floats – or even toss them yourself!

Limited spots are available each night to participate as a float rider, dancing to the music and tossing beads to fellow parkgoers below.

If you want to guarantee your spot riding through the crowd atop a float, you can even book a Float Ride and Dine Experience, where you get a reserved space to toss your beads in addition to three-course meal from one of the participating on-site restaurants.

Also known as Fat Tuesday, you can’t celebrate Mardi Gras without some good food.

Kiosks around the park will be serving up savory dishes inspired by Carnaval, with big flavor, spice, and plenty of soul. Imagine hot maple salmon, hearty crispy chicken, and pillow-soft beignets dusted with powdered sugar.

Plus, head to the Universal Orlando on-site hotels for more specially-curated menu items like bayou shrimp and grits, chicken po-boys and cocktails fit for Bourbon Street.

You know we never turn down a beignet, so you can expect to find us hitting the booths nice and early!

The 2025 lineup of live musical performances features artists from almost every genre, and is expected to draw crowds far and wide.

From pop and country, to R&B, alternative and hip hop, the Universal stage will be rocking for the entire festival.

These performers are slated for select nights during Mardi Gras – and all during the weekend – so be sure to take a peek at the roster to decide when you want to head to Orlando.

Not only are Mardi Gras activities included in the cost of park admission, but there’s still time to snag up to a $1,000 Universal Orlando Dining Card when you plan your visit!

Book a minimum 4-night hotel and ticket package by February 12th and you may be eligible for a dining card to use on most food and drink purchases across Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk and all of the Universal Orlando resort hotels.

This deal is good for travel through April 10, 2025, so it’s the perfect opportunity to stack your Mardi Gras trip with some extra cash on hand to taste your way around the flavors of Carnaval!