Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2025
Make it stand out
📸 Universal Mardi Gras Sign
Welcome to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2025! The park is decked out in vibrant colors, ready for an epic celebration of music, food, and fun!
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2025 is back, bringing vibrant parades, live concerts, and mouthwatering global flavors to the heart of the theme park. This family-friendly festival blends the energy of New Orleans with Universal’s signature entertainment, making it a must-visit event.
📅 Event Dates: January 27 – April 6, 2025
This is our third year experiencing Universal’s Mardi Gras, and we love it so much we keep coming back! Our daughter is especially a big fan of the parade, making it a family tradition.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Mardi Gras veteran, here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.
🎭 What’s New for Mardi Gras 2025?
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration never disappoints, and 2025 is no exception. Here are the top highlights:
🎉 1. Parade Theme: “Mythical Realms”
This year’s parade theme, “Mythical Realms,” features stunning floats inspired by fantastical creatures like dragons, unicorns, and sea monsters 🐉🦄🌊. Expect dazzling lights, intricate costumes, and plenty of beads to catch!
🎶 2. Concert Lineup
Universal’s Mardi Gras concert series features top artists across multiple genres. While the full lineup is still being announced, here are some early headliners:
📌 Confirmed Mardi Gras Concerts 2025:
🎤 T-Pain - Saturday, February 1, 2025
🎤 Joe Jonas - Saturday, February 8, 2025
🎤 Kool & The Gang - Saturday, February 15, 2025
🎤 Juanes - Sunday, February 16, 2025
🎤 Scotty McCreery - Saturday, February 22, 2025
🎤 Foster The People - Saturday, March 1, 2025
🎤 Illenium - Saturday, March 8, 2025
🎤 All Time Low - Saturday, March 15, 2025
🎤 Lawrence - Sunday, March 16, 2025
🎤 Coco Jones - Friday, March 21, 2025
🎤 DJ Pauly D - Saturday, March 22, 2025
🎤 TLC - Saturday, March 29, 2025
📍 Concerts are held on select nights at the Music Plaza Stage in Universal Studios Florida. Arrive early to secure a great viewing spot!
🍽️ 3. New Food Offerings at the International Flavors of Carnaval
The International Flavors of Carnaval booths have expanded for 2025, bringing new dishes from Brazil, Trinidad, and Germany alongside classic New Orleans staples like jambalaya and beignets.
🍺 Beer Flight Sampling some of the best brews at Mardi Gras! This beer flight from the Germany booth was a win—perfect for any beer lover!
Some of our must-try favorites include:
✅ Colombia: The Colombian burger was a standout! 🍔
✅ Germany: The Leberkäse and beer flight were a great combo. 🍺
✅ Taste of the Quarter: You have to try the beignets! 💜💛💚
💡 Pro Tip: Purchase the Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard for a cost-effective way to sample multiple dishes!
🍔 Colombia Burger - This Colombian burger was one of our favorite bites at Mardi Gras! Juicy, flavorful, and a must-try from the International Flavors of Carnaval.
🛍️ 4. Mardi Gras Tribute Store & Merchandise
The Mardi Gras Tribute Store is a must-visit experience. This year’s theme is “Uncover the whimsical and weird legends of the bayou.” Expect immersive themed rooms like:
A curiosity shop
A swamp shack
A mystical marsh
🛒 Shop exclusive Mardi Gras merch while you explore!
🎭 The Mardi Gras Parade: What You Need to Know
The nightly parade is the heart of the celebration, and it’s one of our family’s favorite parts of Mardi Gras!
✨ Best Viewing Spots
Mel’s Drive-In: Our go-to parade spot!
Transformers Ride Area: Another solid choice.
Near Starbucks: We’ve watched from here before—it’s a great location!
📿 Bead-Catching Tips
Look for performers who throw the most beads!
Arrive 30-45 minutes early for a great view.
Bring a small bag to store all your beads!
💃 Parade Pre-Show: Before the parade, some performers interact with the crowd, which is always a fun touch—especially for kids!
🎟️ Best Tips for Families
🎭 Parade Viewing: Kids will love catching beads! Consider bringing a lightweight bag for their collection.
🍽️ Kid-Friendly Food Options: Find simple options like mac & cheese and mini corn dogs at food booths.
🛻 Stroller-Friendly Routes: The park gets crowded, so plan stroller-friendly paths to navigate the event with ease.
👑 Mardi Gras King & Queen Photo Op - Mardi Gras royalty! We had to stop for a picture in front of this stunning King & Queen photo op—one of the many fun backdrops around Universal!
🚀 Maximize Your Mardi Gras Experience
⭐ Upgrade to an Express Pass:
Want to spend more time enjoying Mardi Gras and less time waiting in ride lines? Consider upgrading to an Express Pass.
💡 Budget Tip: Instead of paying for Express Passes separately, stay at a Universal Signature Hotel (like Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay), where Express Passes are included for every guest!
📅 Visit on a Weekday:
Weekdays are less crowded, making it easier to enjoy food booths, parades, and concerts.
📲 Use the Universal Orlando App:
Check parade times, concert schedules, and food booth locations.
We set a reminder in the app so we didn’t miss the parade!
🏨 Extend the Fun: Stay at a Universal Hotel
Staying at a Universal Orlando hotel comes with extra perks, including:
✔️ Early park admission 🎢
✔️ Free transportation to the parks 🚌
✔️ Mardi Gras-themed activities and menus at select resorts
📌 Our Favorite Perk: Staying at Universal’s Signature Resorts where Express Passes are included for free! We always try to book this when the parks are expected to be busy.
🌟 Why You Can’t Miss Mardi Gras 2025
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras is more than just a theme park event—it’s a cultural celebration filled with music, food, and fun for all ages. Whether you’re there for:
✔️ The dazzling parades 🎭
✔️ The live concerts 🎶
✔️ The incredible food 🍽️
🎉 You don’t want to miss this unforgettable event!
🎟️ Ready to Plan Your Mardi Gras Adventure?
Let us help you book your Universal Orlando vacation today! From tickets to accommodations, we’ve got you covered.
📩 Contact us HERE to start planning!
💜💛💚 Also, keep an eye on our YouTube channel for upcoming Mardi Gras videos!
