Universal Orlando has the Best Mardi Gras Celebration

Universal’s best festival is happening right now and you don’t want to miss it! With an incredible lineup of entertainment, food, and merchandise, it’s the perfect time to visit. 

Mardi Gras

The biggest Mardi Gras celebration is in New Orleans with citywide festivities and colorful parades. These parades take place during the day and at night, leading up to Mardi Gras and the Rex parade. Beads in gold, green, and purple are given out, and eating king cake is an iconic part of the celebration.

But you don’t have to leave Orlando to get in the fun! Universal Orlando is celebrating Mardi Gras in a big way! This festival takes place on select dates from February 3 until April 7. Don’t miss the Tribute Store where you can snag Mardi Gras merchandise.

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval party takes place on select dates from February 3 until April 7.

Parade

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval party is a one-of-a-kind experience where the streets of Universal Studios Florida come alive with fantastic floats inspired by New Orleans and Carnaval celebrations from around the world. You can catch some beads and enjoy all the exciting new Elements floats that keep the party going.

For a thrilling experience, you can ride on the amazing floats and throw beads to the crowd as you parade through the streets. But, there are only a limited number of spots available each night. 

You may be able to ride on the amazing floats and throw beads to the crowd!

If you’re visiting the theme park and the spots are available, you can reserve them on the same day. The best way to ensure a spot on the float is by buying the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience or making a reservation online through the Universal Orlando Annual Passholders’ system.

Check out parade times and dates below:

• 5:15 pm – Feb. 12, 27
• 6:15 pm – Feb. 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13-16, 21-23, 25, 26, 28, 29 and March 1, 3-8
• 7:30 pm – Feb. 19-20

Reserved Parade Experience

With a ticket for the Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience, you can enjoy an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage from participating restaurants during your reserved dining reservation time.

After arriving at your dining location, you’ll get information about the Mardi Gras Float Riding and check-in details, including a Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine credential for each person.

Reservations will be accepted in-park via the Virtual Line experience in the Official Universal Orlando App and are subject to availability.

Check the Mardi Gras event map in the park for the parade route.

Concerts

Join the Mardi Gras party and enjoy live music by your favorite artists like DJ Khaled, Ava Max, and Luis Fonsi on select nights. Take a look at the performance schedule below:

February

• 17 – Nessa Barrett
• 18 – KC and the Sunshine Band
• 24 – Barenaked Ladies

March

• 2 – DJ Khaled
• 9 – Ava Max
• 10 – Queen Latifah
• 16 – Luis Fonsi
• 17 – Zedd

International Flavors

Come and discover a variety of delicious dishes from around the world at Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. Enjoy sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that will take you on a delightful journey beyond the Bayou.

You can taste the German Chicken Schnitzel and the Mexican Chilaquiles Verdes, amongst other dishes. Mardi on and enjoy this Grooveable Feast for your senses!

Take a look at the dishes available below:

Belgium

• Sweet & Savory Gouda & Onion Waffle ($8.99) – Warm crystalized waffle, smoked gouda, beer braised onions, black forest ham
• Cookie Butter Liege Waffle ($7.99) – Warm crystalized waffle topped with cookie butter, whipped topping, Biscoff® cookies

Brazil

• Shrimp Moqueca ($7.99) – Shrimp and coconut cream stew, micro cilantro, white rice
• Pão de Queijo ($6.99) – Brazilian cheese bread
• Brigadeiros ($6.49) – A Brazilian classic, chocolate with condensed milk and Mardi Gras sprinkles

Canada

• Candied Bacon & Onion Poutine ($10.49) – Candied bacon spiced curly fries with caramelized onion gravy, cheese curds, spiced maple bacon and parsley
• Vegan Wild Mushroom Poutine ($9.99) – Seasoned curly fries with vegan cheddar, mushroom gravy, truffle oil

China

• Szechuan Noodle Salad ($5.99) – Spicy cold noodle salad with cucumbers, peanuts, cilantro, scallions
• Spicy Smashed Cucumber ($5.99) – Spicy marinated cucumbers with peanuts, cilantro, scallions
• Potstickers ($5.49) – Pork potstickers served with a black vinegar and chili oil dipping sauce

Coca-Cola Market Square

• Cherry Cola BBQ Pork Slider ($9.99) – Slow-cooked carnitas with cherry cola BBQ sauce on a Hawaiian pretzel bun served with lemon-lime soda-infused coleslaw
• Orange Whoopie Pie ($6.99) – Orange soda whoopie pie filled with whipped topping and orange marmalade
• Twisted Tater ($9.49) – Fried spiralized potato topped with choice of seasoning: seasonal salt, ghost pepper, garlic parmesan, sour cream, and chives

Colombia

• Colombian Burger ($9.99) – Grilled burger with Monterey Jack cheese, pineapple cabbage slaw, cilantro garlic sauce, potato sticks
• Arepa de Choclo ($8.49) – Traditional sweet corn cake filled with cheese and griddled with honey butter
• Oblea ($6.99) – Crispy wafer filled with dulce de leche, strawberries

France

• Bananas Foster Crème Brûlée Crepe ($11.99) – Banana caramel, vanilla cream, fresh bananas, whipped topping, brûléed sugar

Germany

• Chicken Schnitzel ($8.99) – Fried crispy chicken thigh cutlet served with mustard and a lemon wedge
• Currywurst ($7.99) – Crispy skin German bratwurst sliced and topped with spicy curry ketchup
• Käsespätzle ($4.99) – Cheese spätzle topped with crispy onions
• Bavarian Pretzel with Obatzda ($11.49) – Warm pretzel with Bavarian beer cheese dip
• Mutzen ($6.99) – Fried lemon-vanilla fritters dusted with powdered sugar

Italy

• Roman Suppli ($7.99) – Mozzarella and provolone filled risotto with vodka sauce, roasted red pepper aioli
• Zabaglione with Berries ($5.99) – Frangelico anglaise with mixed berries topped with toasted hazelnuts

Mexico

• Chilaquiles Verdes ($7.49) – Tortillas topped with chile braised shredded chicken, salsa verde, cilantro onion mixed with lime crema and cotija cheese
• Quesabirria ($8.99) – Birria beef in a corn tortilla with Monterey Jack, Oaxaca cheese, served with birria broth
• Churro Loops & Chocolate ($7.99) – Cinnamon sugar churro loops with Mexican chocolate dipping sauce

New Orleans

• Crawfish Étouffée ($7.49) – Creamy crawfish and vegetable stew over white rice
• Chicken & Andouille Jambalaya ($7.49) – Mixed rice with andouille, blackened chicken, peppers and tomatoes
• Fried Green Tomato Po’Boy ($12.49) – Flash fried green tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles and Cajun remoulade served with Cajun kettle chips
• Shrimp Gumbo ($7.49) – Stew of trinity, shrimp, andouille and bacon over white rice
• Shrimp & Crawfish Boil ($14.49) – Mixed bag with crawfish, shrimp, andouille, potatoes, and corn on the cob

Philippines

• Pancit Bihon ($8.49) – Rice noodles, sautéed vegetables, pulled chicken, garlic, soy sauce
• Crispy Lumpia ($7.49) – Pork-filled crispy rice paper roll with dipping sauce
• Pandan Cheesecake ($6.99) – Pandan cheesecake with whipped topping shaved toasted coconut

Puerto Rico

• Pastelón ($8.99) – A layered casserole of sweet plantain, picadillo beef topped with Edam cheese
• Bacalaitos ($7.99) – Crispy salt cod fritters with bell peppers, cilantro and onions served with mayo ketchup
• Pastelitos de Guayaba ($5.99) – Guava filled puff pastry with powdered sugar

Spain

• Ensalada de Pulpo ($8.99) -Traditional Spanish salad with octopus, fresh herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika, sherry vinegar
• Papitas Bravas ($5.99) -Seasoned crispy potatoes, paprika aioli
• Crèma Catalana ($6.49) – Brûléed citrus milk custard with candied orange peels

Thailand

• Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp ($8.49) – Sautéed shrimp on a salad of shredded green papaya, and carrots, with Thai basil, and peanuts, tossed in a spicy Thai dressing 
• Green Curry with Chicken ($6.99) – Spicy green curry chicken with shiitake mushrooms, eggplant, snap peas, red bell pepper, jasmine rice
• Chicken Satay ($8.99) – Marinated grilled chicken skewer with Thai cucumber, topped with peanut sauce 

Enjoy sweet savings on over 50 Mardi Gras Tasting Menu Items with The Food & Beverage Card. You can get $75 worth of food and drinks for just $65.

Purchase your Card for a limited time at Mardi Gras food or beverage kiosks and at select Universal Studios Florida dining locations during the event. 

Purchase The Food & Beverage Card to get $75 worth of food and drinks for just $65.

Have you attended Universal’s Mardi Gras event? Or are you planning to go this year? Let us know in the comments and share this post with a Mardi Gras loving friend.