Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is more than a one-day celebration on Fat Tuesday. Each year, Universal Studios Florida undergoes a month-long Mardi Gras transformation, making it the perfect spot for a festive grown-up getaway.
Highlights
- All day (and night) entertainment: During the event, guests can enjoy live musicians, stilt walkers and entertainers strolling through the park, a nightly parade, concerts on select nights and more.
- Global carnaval cuisine: Take your taste buds on a culinary world tour with more than 50 dishes and drinks from across the globe and Mardi Gras staples like beignets, jambalaya and king cake.
- Stay and play: At Universal’s on-site hotels, you can stay in the middle of the action. Many of Universal’s hotels are within walking distance of the parks for easy access.
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.
I visit Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration every year. Thanks to its fun, family-friendly atmosphere, I’ve gone with my kids, my husband and friends. This year, I spent a weekend with my husband and some of my closest friends and we had just as much fun – if not more – than we would have on Bourbon Street.
Why? Because we love roller coasters as much as we love beads and beignets. If that sounds like you, too, it’s time to gather your Mardi Gras “krewe” and start planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Universal Mardi Gras Dates and Details
This year, Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval takes place at Universal Studios Florida between February 7 and April 4, 2026. Universal Studios Florida is decked out in sparkly Mardi Gras decor and there is entertainment, food and a parade every single day of the event.
The best part is that it’s all included in the cost of your park ticket. You can ride your favorite attractions during the day, stop by the themed food booths for a bite to eat when you get hungry and stay for the Mardi Gras party at night.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration takes place only at Universal Studios Florida. If you are buying a one-park ticket, make sure you choose the right park so you don’t miss the party.
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Universal Mardi Gras Activities and Entertainment
In addition to the everyday excitement of being at Universal Studios Florida, when you visit during the Mardi Gras season, you’ll be treated to colorful decor befitting the French Quarter, roaming Jazz musicians, stilt walkers and costumed entertainers handing out beads.
Most of the festivities are centered in the New York area near Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon , dubbed the “French Quarter Courtyard” during Mardi Gras, but you can also meet the park’s new walkround character, Prince Gator, over near the Horror Make-Up Show theater.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Several of the dancers and entertainers from the nightly parade come out into the park a few hours before the parade to start the party early. This is a great time to grab photos and start collecting beads.
Nightly Parade
I still can’t believe Universal pulls off hosting a Mardi Gras parade full of floats, dancers, confetti and thousands upon thousands of beads every single night. Universal works directly with Kern Studios – one of New Orleans’ biggest float companies – to create their Mardi Gras parade.
The parade features colorful, glittering floats with guests throwing beads to the crowd, toe-tapping tunes and many of the same stilt walkers and dancers who were getting the party started in the French Quarter Courtyard before the parade.
Check the Universal Orlando app for parade times, which vary nightly.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you want to see the parade twice in one night, grab a spot between Cafe La Bamba and the Horror Makeup Show theater. You’ll be the first to see the floats as they roll out and the last to see them before they leave the park.
Mardi Gras Concerts
Most of Universal’s Mardi Gras offerings take place on a daily basis, but the concerts are held only on select nights. I recommend planning your visit around an artist you want to see and spending at least two days in the park.
This gives you the chance to get a great viewing spot for the parade one night and to squeeze your way to the front of the crowd for the concert on another. The concert area is across from Minion Land on the grassy area known as the Universal Music Plaza.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you want to get close to the stage for the concert, you might have to skip the parade and stake out your spot early. Some guests arrive several hours before show time.
CityWalk After Party
The party doesn’t have to stop when the park closes. Grab your friends and head just outside the park to Universal CityWalk. You’ll find the most Mardi Gras fun upstairs at Pat O’Brien’s dueling piano bar and the Cursed Coconut Club.
This year, Pat O’s is hosting an official Mardi Gras after party with a DJ, stilt walkers and a guitarist on Friday and Saturday nights. If you can, grab a table inside near the dueling piano musicians and have a sing-along with your friends.
The nearby Cursed Coconut Club is a themed bar with specialty drinks, a DJ spinning tunes on the dance floor and live jazz musicians. The bar is usually open Wednesday through Sunday.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring cash if you want to request songs at Pat O’Brien’s dueling piano bar. The musicians know almost any song you can imagine.
Universal Mardi Gras Dining
Yes, you can find New Orleans’ staples like beignets, jambalaya and king cake, but you can also sample global carnaval dishes from Puerto Rico, France, Jamaica, Brazil and more. My favorite dishes this year were the Pastelón Fritters from the Puerto Rico booth and the Jamaican Rasta Pasta.
In addition to the food booths, guests can purchase the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience to experience a three-course meal at one of Universal’s restaurants and then ride atop one of the Mardi Gras parade floats for a night of bead tossing.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you plan to sample dishes from several food booths, purchase a food and beverage tasting card. You can pay $65 for a card worth $75 in food purchases (annual passholders can purchase a $150 value card for $120).
Where to Stay for Universal Mardi Gras
Universal Orlando offers complimentary transportation to its theme parks from all of the on-site hotels, but I prefer to stay in one of the hotels closest to the parks. That’s because, in addition to bus or boat transportation, you can easily walk to the park from your hotel.
If you want to splurge, I would go for the Hard Rock Hotel, but for more budget-friendly options, look at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort or Universal Aventura Hotel.
No matter where you choose to stay, even the hotels get in on the Mardi Gras fun with specialty food and drink items.
SheBuysTravel Tip: When you stay in one of Universal’s 11 on-site hotels, you get early access to Universal’s parks up to an hour before the posted opening time. Check Universal’s website or app for Early Park Admission times.
Tips for Celebrating Universal Mardi Gras
When to visit Universal Mardi Gras: There is no “bad” time to visit Universal Mardi Gras, but I would highly recommend planning your visit around the musical artist you want to see since the concerts are included in the price. If concerts aren’t your thing, the park is busier on weekends, so visit on a weekday if possible.
What to pack for Universal Mardi Gras: There aren’t many things you need to pack that you wouldn’t bring on a normal park day.
SheBuysTravel Tip: When you stay in one of Universal’s 11 on-site hotels, you get early access to Universal’s parks up to an hour before the posted opening time. Check Universal’s website or app for Early Park Admission times.
But, make sure you pack some purple, gold and green clothing and accessories. Many guests get dressed up in their Mardi Gras best. If you don’t have anything that fits the bill, stop by the Mardi Gras Tribute Store in the Hollywood section of Universal Studios Florida for the best selection of celebratory clothing and accessories.
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