From February 1-April 2, you can celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios! While the exact offerings change daily, this celebration runs every night during the season. It’s also INCLUDED in your park ticket, so there’s no extra purchase necessary (unless you want to splurge on some of the awesome dining/experience upgrades Universal is offering for 2020)! See our complete guide below to plan your Fat Tuesday – or Wednesday or Saturday or any other day!
Universal Mardi Gras Activities
Mardi Gras Parade
Of course, the most popular part of Universal’s celebration is its vibrant parade complete with stilt walkers, dancers, and lots of colorful floats! This year’s theme is “Treasures of the Deep” including Atlantis, deep sea creatures, and treasure maps. The parade schedule changes based on sunset and park operating hours.
Parade starts at 5:45 pm on the following dates:
Feb 20
Parade starts at 6:00 pm on the following dates:
Feb 2 – Feb 7
Parade starts at 6:15 pm on the following dates:
Feb 9 – Feb 14
Feb 17 – 19, 21
Feb 23 – Feb 28
Mar 1 – Mar 6
Parade starts at 7:30 pm on the following dates:
Mar 9 – Mar 12
Mar 16 – Mar 19
Mar 23 – Mar 27
Mar 30 – Apr 2
Parade starts at 7:45 pm on the following dates:
Feb 1, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29
Mar 7, 8, 13-15, 20-22, 28-29
Guests with small children – Visit the Little Jester’s viewing area in front of the Brown Derby hat shop. Access is available one hour before the parade starts.
UO Annual Passholders- Watching the parade is fun, but what about becoming a part of it?! Sign up to ride a parade float and don’t forget to take advantage of your other benefits like exclusive parade viewing areas, discounts, a special magnet, and more!
Live Concerts
Unlike the parade, Universal’s concert line up only occurs on the weekends. However, this year will see some big stars take to the main stage! All concerts begin at 8:30pm. The audience area is made for standing, and it’s first come, first serve – so don’t be late if a specific artist is important to you.
Exploring the 2021 Universal Mardi Gras Tribute Store
Saturday, Feb. 1 – The Roots
Saturday, Feb. 8 – Karol G
Saturday, Feb. 15 – Bell Biv DeVoe
Sunday, Feb. 16 – +Live+
Saturday, Feb. 22 – Kool & the Gang
Saturday, Feb. 29 – TLC
Saturday, Mar. 7 – REO Speedwagon
Sunday, Mar. 8 – Dustin Lynch
Friday, Mar. 13 – Luis Fonsi
Saturday, Mar. 14 – The All-American Rejects
Sunday, Mar. 15 – Diana Ross
Friday, Mar. 20 – Chris Young
Saturday, Mar. 21 – Earth, Wind & Fire
Sunday, Mar. 22 – Marshmello
Saturday, Mar. 28 – Why Don’t We
Sunday, Mar. 29 – Gavin DeGraw
Authentic Louisiana Sounds
If you’re craving more of a real, New Orleans feel, come experience performances from these home-grown Louisiana bands. Bands will be playing in the French Quarter Courtyard.
Feb 1 – Feb 13 Dirty Bourbon River Show
Feb 14 – Mar 6 Free Agents Brass Band
Mar 6 – Mar 21 New Breed Brass Band
Mar 22 – Apr 2 Naughty Professor Brass Band
Universal Mardi Gras Food
The French Quarter Courtyard
Opening at 4pm daily, come enjoy the tastes of New Orleans in the New York area of Universal Studios. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Universal Mardi Gras Upgrades
Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyards
Only available for purchase within the theme park, lanyards entitle the wearer to tasting portions of traditional New Orleans food, such as jambalaya and beignets. There are special lanyards for Annual Passholders. New for the 2020 event is the “Carnival Around the Universe” tent featuring a rotating menu with foods from carnival celebrations across the globe!
Bayou Boil- An Exclusive Mardi Gras Dining Experience
On select nights, diners can gather in Battery Park for a special crawfish boil! (If you don’t like or can’t eat seafood – Universal will substitute a chicken and Andouille sausage jambalaya.) After dinner, you can enjoy a special parade viewing area with King Cake, sparkling wine, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. This experience costs $59.99 for adults and $39.99 for children.
Mardi Gras Feasts & Floats Dessert Party
Enjoy an unique dessert party with a special parade viewing area. You’ll arrive at Cafe La Bamba an hour before the parade and enjoy specialty desserts with select beverages. After the parade, you’ll move to Central Park to enjoy non-alchoholic drinks while enjoying the Universal Cinematic Celebration nighttime show. This experience costs $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children.
© Universal Orlando 
© Universal Orlando
This year’s celebration will mark the 25th anniversary of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras. What an awesome way to kick off a new year and a brand new decade!
