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The Concerts and More Happening at Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras Celebration
There's another place to celebrate Carnaval season in style and that's Universal Studios Orlando!
New Orleans may be the home of Mardi Gras in the U.S. but the party has expanded to Universal Studios in Orlando with their Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval running from February 3 though April 7 at the theme park.
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Celebrating the spectacle of the Mardi Gras season right in the theme park, your general admission ticket gets you access to all of the green, gold and purple fun, including an actual daily parade featuring fantastic floats inspired by New Orleans and Carnaval celebrations around the globe. Visitors can also look forward to live concerts, Carnaval-inspired food and drinks and special Mardi Gras costuming and souvenirs available for purchase from the Tribute Store.
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Concerts
Throughout the season on select nights at 8:30 pm, some of the biggest names in pop, rock, country, R&B and more will perform on the Music Plaza Stage. You can join in on the fun as part of your admission ticket to the park. The full Mardi Gras performance lineup can be found below:
Walker Hayes — February 3
The All-American Rejects — February 10
Nessa Barrett — February 17
KC and The Sunshine Band — February 18
Barenaked Ladies — February 24
DJ Khaled — March 2
Ava Max — March 9
Queen Latifah — March 10
Luis Fonsi — March 16
Zedd — March 17
What is the Mardi Gras parade?
On evenings running throughout the event (with some parade times subject to change), visitors can be a by-stander or a participant in the dazzling Mardi Gras parade with authentic floats direct from New Orleans. The parade route features floats themed with colors and icons from the traditional Mardi Gras celebrations around the world. Like the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, the riders will throw bead necklaces for the audience to catch and keep.
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If you're 18-years-old or older, or accompanied by an adult, and would like to ride one of the floats, you can reserve a spot to be part of the action. Limited spaces available daily and reservations will be accepted in-park via the Virtual Line experience in the Official Universal Orlando App. It's a small but simple way to celebrate Mardi Gras with the style and spectacle that it deserves.
Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience
If you want to amp up your authentic fun, visitors can purchase a Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience ticket which entitles one guest to one three-course meal at one of four participating Universal Studios Florida or Universal CityWalk restaurants and one Mardi Gras parade float rider reservation on the same day located at Universal Studios Florida. Experience all the fun of Mardi Gras in comfort and style.
Universal Mardi Gras Food Tour
For those who love the cuisine and flavors of Carnaval, Universal Studios Florida will offer special dishes and drinks throughout the theme park. You can purchase them individually, or if you're a culinary completist there's the Mardi Gras Food & Beverage gift card which allows you to experience the flavors of Mardi Gras 2024 with great savings. It comes with a complimentary lanyard and plastic cardholder. International speciality options this year include Chicken Schnitzel, Chilaquiles Verdes, Szechuan Noodle Salad, Pastelons, and the beloved Beignets.
If you plan to stay over for Mardi Gras, check out the individual hotel and resort deals at the Universal Orlando Resort website.
