🎉💜 Beads, Bites & Big Energy: Mardi Gras Returns to Universal Orlando in 2026
- Brandi Parker
- Dec 12
- 2 min read
If your vacation style includes bold flavors, glittering nights, and dancing in the streets… this party is for you.
Get ready to laissez les bon temps rouler, Orlando-style!
Universal Orlando Resort has officially confirmed that Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is back at Universal Studios Florida from February 7 through April 4, 2026—and it’s bringing all the color, culture, and can’t-miss fun we love. 🥳✨
This isn’t just an event.
It’s Universal’s biggest party of the year—and it’s included with park admission.
🎭 What Makes Universal Mardi Gras So Iconic
Universal doesn’t dabble in Mardi Gras.They go all in—with nightly parades, global cuisine, and electric energy that turns the park into one giant celebration.
🎉 Nightly Mardi Gras Parades
Every single night, Universal Studios Florida lights up with a full-scale Mardi Gras parade featuring:
Glittering, themed floats
Stilt-walkers and street performers
Thrown beads flying through the air
Music so infectious you’ll dance whether you planned to or not
Pro tip: parade strategy matters if you want the good beads. (Yes, there is a technique. Yes, I help with that.)
🌍 International Flavors You’ll Dream About Later
This is where Universal’s Mardi Gras truly shines. The International Flavors of Carnaval food booths aren’t filler—they’re a full-on culinary tour inspired by Carnaval celebrations around the world.
Expect:
Cajun and Creole classics
Latin American favorites
Caribbean-inspired bites
Global street-food flavors you can’t find anywhere else in the park
It’s one of the best food events in Orlando, hands down—and pacing your food stops correctly is key to enjoying it all without missing the fun.
🎶 Live Concert Nights = Bonus Party Mode
On select evenings, Mardi Gras turns Universal Studios Florida into a concert venue. While the 2026 lineup hasn’t been announced yet, past years have featured major chart-topping artists—and the crowds (and vibes) prove it.
🎤 Concerts are included with park admission
🎤 Great viewing requires smart timing
🎤 Planning ahead can make or break your night
Translation: this is where having a Universal-savvy travel planner pays off.
💡 Why Planning Mardi Gras With Me Matters
Mardi Gras at Universal is incredible… but it can also be overwhelming without a strategy.
As a Universal Parks & Resorts Specialist, I help my clients:
Choose the best travel dates for lighter crowds or peak energy
Build a park plan around parade routes, food booths, and concerts
Decide which hotel fits their vibe (party-close or chill retreat)
Maximize Mardi Gras fun without burning out by 7 p.m.
Anyone can show up.I help you show up ready.
🎉 Ready to Plan Your 2026 Mardi Gras Getaway?
If beads, bold flavors, live music, and unforgettable nights sound like your kind of vacation, now is the time to start planning.
Let’s build a Universal Orlando trip that balances thrill rides by day and Carnaval energy by night—with zero stress and all the fun.
Because at Universal Mardi Gras…💜 the party comes to you.
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