Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2020 Guide

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2020 Guide
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Universal Orlando is celebrating 25 years of its family-friendly Mardi Gras festivities with new parade floats, globally inspired cuisine, and live concerts on select nights from February 1 to April 2 at the Universal Studios Florida theme park.

Throw me something, mister!

The nightly Mardi Gras parade takes over the streets of Universal Studios Florida with intricate floats, dancers and stilt performers with extraordinary costumes, and countless beads. 

This year six new floats will debut inspired by the ‘Treasures of the Deep’ theme in addition to returning favorites including the Riverboat and King Gator floats that have all-new décor celebrating the 25th anniversary of Mardi Gras.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Parade
Universal Orlando Resort

The parade times change nightly, so here is a rundown of when the parade starts by time:

  • The parade steps off at 5:15 pm: February 11
  • The parade steps off at 5:45 pm: February 20
  • The parade steps off at 6:00 pm: February 2-7
  • The parade steps off at 6:15 pm: February 9-10, 12-14, 17 – 19, 21, 23 – 28 and March 1- 6
  • The parade steps off at 7:30 pm: March 9-12, 16-19, 23-27, March 30 – April 2
  • The parade steps off at 7:45 pm: February 1, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29 and March 7, 8, 13-15, 20-22, 28-29
Universal Mardi Gras Parade Map

Mardi Gras Concert Series

On select nights during the event, guests can enjoy performances by some of the biggest names in music including Marshmello, Luis Fonsi, and TLC on the Universal Music Plaza Stage.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 -
Universal Orlando Resort

All shows begin at 8:30 pm, and below is the full Mardi Gras Concert Series Line-up:

  • Saturday, February 1: The Roots 
  • Saturday, February 8: Karol G 
  • Saturday, February 15: Bell Biv DeVoe 
  • Sunday, February 16: Live 
  • Saturday, February 22: Kool & the Gang
  • Saturday, February 29: TLC 
  • Saturday, March 7: REO Speedwagon 
  • Sunday, March 8: Dustin Lynch 
  • Friday, March 13: Luis Fonsi 
  • Saturday, March 14: The All-American Rejects 
  • Sunday, March 15: Diana Ross 
  • Friday, March 20: Chris Young 
  • Saturday, March 21: Earth, Wind, & Fire 
  • Sunday, March 22: Marshmello 
  • Saturday, March 28: Why Don’t We 
  • Sunday, March 29: Gavin DeGraw 

French Quarter Courtyard

The heart of the Mardi Gras fun at Universal Studios Florida is the French Quarter Courtyard!

Mardi Gras Universal Orlando Concert Universal Studios Florida French Quarter Courtyard Trumpet

Opening daily at 4 pm, the French Quarter Courtyard is where you can find food and spirits available for purchase and performances from Louisiana jazz, blues, and zydeco bands.

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Zydeco Stage

Concerts are free and take place on the French Quarter Courtyard Stage on the following dates:

  • February 1-13: Dirty Bourbon River Show
  • February 14 – March 5: Free Agents Brass Band
  • March 6-21: New Breed Brass Band
  • March 22 – April 2, Naughty Professor Brass Band

Celebrate Global Cuisine

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Cauliflower Dirty Rice
Universal Orlando Resort

Food is central to the Mardi Gras experience at Universal Studios Florida. 

Guests will find fan-favorite classics like Gumbo and Jambalaya as well as new dishes in the Carnival Around The Universe tent, where the menu changes every two weeks, in the French Quarter Courtyard. 

Mardi Gras Universal Orlando Concert Universal Studios Florida Jambalaya

Want to try it all? The Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard is the best way to sample these unique flavors as well as the event exclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There are a variety of Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard options to choose from starting at $30 plus tax. Among these options is an exclusive Passholder Tasting Lanyard, which includes 15 sample dishes for $60 plus tax. 

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Tasting Lanyard
Universal Orlando Resort

Add-on experiences

As part of the family-friendly version of the renowned Big Easy bash, guests can also purchase festive Mardi Gras add-on experiences.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 The Bayou Boil
Universal Orlando Resort

The Bayou Boil, an exclusive Mardi Gras experience, will allow guests to enjoy a Louisiana- style boil featuring crawfish, shrimp, potatoes and corn-on-the-cob, as well as an exclusive viewing area for the Mardi Gras parade with king cake, beignets, sparkling wine, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets for adults are $59.99 plus tax, and tickets for children (ages 3-9) are $39.99 plus tax. Separate theme park admission is required. 

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 Beignets
Universal Orlando Resort

For guests with a sweet tooth, the Mardi Gras Feast & Floats Dessert Party is available on select nights from March 9 through April 2, giving them the best view of the Mardi Gras parade while enjoying specialty desserts, savory bites, hot chocolate, assorted non-alcoholic beverages, and sparkling wine and cider. But the party doesn’t stop there – guests will also have an exclusive viewing area for Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration. Tickets for adults are $49.99 plus tax, and tickets for children (ages 3-9) are $29.99 plus tax. Separate theme park admission is required. 

Merchandise

All new this year is the Mardi Gras Tribute Store, located on the streets of New York, which is a highly themed shopping experience where you can pick up event-exclusive merchandise as well as fancy beads and masks.

Mardi Gras Special Ticket Offers

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 -
Universal Orlando Resort

Florida residents can experience this year’s Mardi Gras celebration and the spring season by saving up to $65 on multi-day tickets and up to $75 on Seasonal and Annual Passes until April 2.

What’s included with admission

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020 -
Universal Orlando Resort

All of the excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with a Seasonal or Annual Pass (blockout dates apply).

Weather

Mardi Gras celebrations at Universal Studios Florida are held rain or shine, and often there is a big change in temperature from morning to night so be sure to check the weather before you leave for the park.

Universal Orlando Resort Mardi Gras 2020
Universal Orlando Resort

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram!

Share this article: Facebooktwitterpinteresttumblrmail


Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Author: Shelley

When she isn't chasing her chihuahuas, daughter, or cheering for her Hokies you can find Shelley On the Go in the Central Florida Area and on-air with WDBO News 96.5 on Friday evenings!

8 thoughts on “Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2020 Guide”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.