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If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras in Orlando, then Universal Studios Florida is the place to be! In this in-depth Universal Studios Orlando Mardi Gras guide for 2026, we’re going to go over what to expect at this event. And then we’ll share some resources that will help you save money on your next Universal vacation!
You will want to figure out how to afford a trip to Universal Orlando for this event, too, because the Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration is kind of a big deal. It’s my family’s favorite seasonal event at Universal, and we are not alone in that feeling. In fact, the theme park has been celebrating Mardi Gras each year for over 25 years. And this year, the event is bigger and better than ever! The New Orleans-style fun lasts from February 7 until April 4, 2026.
Mardi Gras Parade
The Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios Florida is a wonderful way to enjoy an authentic Mardi Gras parade outside of New Orleans. The floats are even created by Kern Studios, the company that’s been making floats for the New Orleans version of the parade since 1932.
How to Be in the Parade
If you want to be in the parade, you can reserve a spot on a float with the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience. It involves a 3 course meal at one of five restaurants as well as riding a float and throwing out beads. Here’s your choice of restaurants:
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar (at Universal CityWalk)
- NBC Sports Grill & Bar (at Universal CityWalk)
- Confisco Grille (located at Universal Islands of Adventure)
- Lombard’s Seafood Grill (in Universal Studios Florida)
- Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food – Dinner Only (located at Universal CityWalk)
Please note that riders must be:
- 48” in height or taller
- 18 years old or older OR accompanied by their legal guardian
- Able to board the float and stand for the duration of the parade
Parade Schedule
This parade is my family’s favorite out of any parade we’ve ever seen at Universal Studios. We highly recommend it!
Here’s when the parade starts each day:
- Saturday, February 7 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, February 8 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, February 9 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 10 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 11 – 5:00 PM
- Thursday, February 12 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, February 13 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, February 14 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, February 15 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, February 16 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 17 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 18 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, February 19 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, February 20 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, February 21 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, February 22 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, February 23 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 24 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 25 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, February 26 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, February 27 – 6:00 PM
- Saturday, February 28 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 1 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 2 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 3 – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 4 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, March 5 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 6 – 6:00 PM
- Saturday, March 7 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 8 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 9 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 10 – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 11 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, March 12 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 13 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 15 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 16 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 17 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 18 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, March 19 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 20 – 6:00 PM
- Saturday, March 21 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 22 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 23 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 24 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 25 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, March 26 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 27 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 28 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 29 – 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 30 – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 31 – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, April 1 – 7:00 PM
- Thursday, April 2 – 7:00 PM
- Friday, April 3 – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, April 4 – 7:00 PM
Universal Mardi Gras Parade Video
See for yourself how much fun the parade is with this video!
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Food & Drink
One of the exciting parts about the Universal Mardi Gras celebration is that you get to enjoy delicious food and flavors from New Orleans – and from all around the world!
To see the full food and drink menus from last year, see our 2025 Guide to Universal Studios Mardi Gras Food. And we’ll let you know the food and drinks offered this year at Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval once the 2026 menus have been announced.
Mardi Gras Food & Drinks at Universal Hotels
You can keep the party going even after you leave the park! The Universal Orlando hotels have some Mardi Gras specialties on their menus. This includes beignets, po’boys, Hurricanes and more.
Universal Mardi Gras Concerts 2026
One of the great parts of the Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios is that it actually features live concerts… included in the cost of park admission!
In the past, these live concerts are held on the Music Plaza Stage, which is located in the New York section of the park. It’s standing room only and first come, first served, so be prepared to wait if you have an act that you really want to see up close. Otherwise, you can use the large video screens to get a better view if you end up in the back (or even in the Battery Park part of the New York section).
There was also an ADA-accessible viewing area, which is located near the Race Through New York restrooms.
Here is the concert schedule:
- Saturday, February 7 – Kaskade
- Saturday, February 14 – Portugal. The Man
- Sunday, February 15 – Ivy Queen
- Saturday, February 21 – Joey Fatone & AJ McLean
- Saturday, February 28 – RuPaul (DJ Set)
- Saturday, March 7 – Shaggy
- Friday, March 13 – Tyler Hubbard
- Saturday, March 14 – Bebe Rexha
- Sunday, March 15 – Zedd
- Saturday, March 21 – Barenaked Ladies
- Saturday, March 28 – The All-American Rejects
Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Tribute Store
The Tribute Store, which is a popup store inside the park, changes its theme seasonally. In addition to checking out the current Mardi Gras theming, it’s a great place to visit if you’d like to buy some treats or merchandise.
Check out this dark and spooky theme from a previous Mardi Gras Tribute Store:
Universal Orlando Vacation Planning
So after learning about all of the fun things to do at the Universal Studios Mardi Gras celebration, I’m sure you’d love to visit Orlando to attend this special event.
But I’m also sure you’d like to save money on your Orlando vacation!
The Mardi Gras event is included with the price of admission, but you will need tickets to Universal Studios Florida. Click here to get discounted tickets through Undercover Tourist (we’ve been a fan of them for years). You can save up to $124 on your ticket.
Need a place to stay on your trip? Click here to get discounted rates for onsite Universal Orlando Resort hotels.
And if you want to learn more about Universal Orlando in general, we recommend this book.