Universal Orlando Mardi Gras is one EPIC celebration. This year, Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration takes place from February 5th  to April 24th, 2022. This celebration combines theme park entertainment with a Mardi Gras parade, costumed performers, authentic New Orleans bands, and Cajun cuisine. But wait- it gets better! On select nights, there are live concerts with some of the nation’s top recordings artists! The event dates vary year by year but just know it always starts around February and goes until early April.

Universal’s Mardi Gras festivities are included in your theme park admission ticket for Universal Studios. As long as you have a ticket to get through the Universal Studios turnstiles on a Mardi Gras event date, you have access to everything, from the concerts to the parade to the French Quarter Courtyard. (Note: Some annual passholders are blocked out of visiting Universal Studios on concert nights so be sure to check your pass for current blockout dates before visiting Universal Studios)

Daytime Excitement

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is definitely family-friendly and there is something for everyone to enjoy during this event. The New Orleans Planet Mardi Gras area and the parade are definitely family-friendly. The Mardi Gras characters (including the stilt walkers) walk all around the streets near the New Orleans plaza (Planet Mardi Gras) and will pose for photos, hang out with your little ones, and even dance with them, which makes it super fun for all ages. This is also a great opportunity to get beads from them that you can wear the rest of the night to really celebrate Mardi Gras! However, I would not recommend the concert area, which is a free concert on select nights. This area gets SO PACKED, especially depending on the musical act that night. I would suggest skipping this area if you have littles on concert nights.

Concerts at Universal Orlando Mardi Gras

Music is such a big part of New Orleans and Mardi Gras traditions. The concerts take place at Universal Music Plaza. This area is off to the left which is right next to Rip Rid Rock It. The Music Plaza is a lot like an open field. It is standing room only and no ticket is required to watch the concert. If you plan to be up close and personal to see your favorite music act, just make a note to get there EARLY. This areas fills up quickly, especially for really popular musical acts!

Usually, the concerts begin at 8:30 PM. This is generally right after the Mardi Gras parade ends. You should always double-check the park map or official Universal app for all times that evening you are visiting the parks.

If you plan to watch the Mardi Gras concert, just keep in mind that it is general standing only. You can watch the performance wherever you are standing around the Universal Music Plaza. There is no VIP area to upgrade to and no special seating even if you have a Universal Express Pass. However, there is an ADA view area, which is located near Race through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. Like I said earlier, if you really want to see this concert up close, you will need to be there REALLY early. This area gets really crowded and even more crowded depending on who the musical act is.

This year, musical acts include:

Sugar Ray

Diana Ross

Barenaked Ladies

Styx

Jon Pardi

LL Cool J

Marshmello

Lee Brice

Becky G

Khalid

Seal

Gavin DeGraw

Universal’s Mardi Gras Parade

Universal’s Mardi Gras parade is SO fun! If you can’t attend the real Mardi Gras in New Orleans, this is a great option to experience Mardi Gras in a different way. This parade is full of street performers and park guests throwing beads into the crowd. The parade is awesome because Universal likes to keep it fresh and fun by replacing older floats with new floats each year. Not only do we get to see new floats every year if you keep coming back during this time, but these floats are also handcrafted by Blaine Kern Artists. This is the same company that designs floats for the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, which is just one more way Universal tries to stay authentic to Mardi Gras traditions.

The parade times can depend on the night that you plan to visit Universal Studios. Make sure to check the time when you are visiting Universal Studios so you can make sure to add this parade into your plans for the day. This parade starts near the Horror Makeup Show Theater (Hollywood) and goes all around Universal Studios and ends where it started, lasting about a full 20 minutes. I like to watch the parade right in front of where the Jason Bourne attraction is because you get a straight shot of the parade coming right at you and it seems to be the least crowded area when I arrive about an hour before the parade start. I also like this location because if you want to leave right after the parade, you are at the closest spot for the exit and see the parade before anyone else does. If you are wanting a front-row seat, I recommend getting a spot about an hour before the parade starts. This gives you plenty of time to get a seat and have someone in your group go and grab a snack or drink while you hold your spot.

If you are looking for a special viewing of the parade, there are a couple of different options. The Little Jester’s Viewing Area is a special viewing location just for kids. This is located toward the front of the park across the street from the new Jason Bourne attraction. The ADA viewing area is right near the Revenge of the Mummy. The Annual Passholder viewing area is located right at the start of the parade in front of Mel’s Drive-In. I personally think the location I have for the parade is better and would suit all the needs above, but you just need to plan your time properly and arrive early.

Remember when I mentioned that guests could ride on a parade float?? YEP, I wasn’t joking! This is such a fun and awesome experience, and if you are able to do it, I HIGHLY suggest it!

Annual Passholders have the option to apply online to ride on a parade float based on the night of their choice.  The other option is to get picked through the Virtual Line. Virtual Line passes are first-come, first-serve with limited availability and will be available from around 12 PM until one hour prior to the parade start. Once available, tap the Reserve Virtual Line Experience Pass” below and select the number of guests in your party. Choose the available time you’d like to return to ride your float. Float riding experiences last 2-3 hours. You may miss the Mardi Gras concert start depending on the night you are booked to be a float rider. As your virtual line return time, check in at the Animal Actors On Location! one hour to one hour 45 minutes ahead of the parade start.

 I always recommend trying this on a weekday to help with your chances of getting on a float and earlier during the Mardi Gras Celebration. March tends to be much busier than February with Spring Break happening all of March.

There are some rules to keep in mind if you want to ride on a parade float:

Space is limited, and signing up does not guarantee a spot

Must be 18 years of age (or accompanied by an adult)

Must be at least 48 inches tall

No bags or strollers

Floats can accommodate guests in push wheelchairs with advance notice

Universal’s Superstar Parade, which is the daytime parade that makes its way through Universal Studios, will continue to run daily during the Mardi Gras season as well!

Mardi Gras Marshmellow Pie

Sweet fried pastry with powdered sugar

Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard

In New Orleans Planet Mardi Gras, you will also find your New Orleans-inspired food and drink offerings!

Universal does a great job trying to bring authentic New Orleans-style food and drinks to Orlando with tons of different options to pick from. These options are mostly served in normal size portions, so each food item can be filling!

Enjoy 50+ Mardi Gras Tasting Menu Items with The Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard:

Pay $65 for a $75 Universal Orlando Resort Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard

Pay $120 for a $150 Universal Orlando Resort Food & Beverage Card and Lanyard

No limit on the quantity for purchase

No expiration date

Guests can use the remaining balance on their previously purchased Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyards at Mardi Gras 2022’s food & beverage kiosk locations.

Guests will be able to redeem their activated Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card at any food and beverage location in Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. Not only can  you find New Orleans favorites, but also specialties inspirited by flavors from around the world located around the park: Italy (Arancini), Bloody Mary Bar, Floribbeam (Cape Canaveral), Fusion (Machine Planet), India (Floral PLanet), Southeast Asia (Volcano Planet), Central America (Comet Cruisin), and Brazil.

Mardi Gras Tribute Store

Step inside Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store and enter the float factory to see how these amazing floats are created. You’ll make your way through every step of the process as you get a peek at sketches, materials, models, costumes, and more. Plus, you can purchase masks, beads, t-shirts and tasty Mardi Gras-themed treats.

Chicken & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya

If you haven’t had the chance to visit during the Mardi Gras time frame, I highly recommend you give it a try. You won’t be disappointed! I’d love to help you plan your next Universal vacation! Reach out to me for a free quote!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly