Mardi Gras Orlando • Orlando FL

Who says Mardi Gras is a New Orlean's speciality? Here in Orlando, Universal Studio puts on a great Mardi Gras celebration. While it's a family-friendly event, there are tons of options for the adults to enjoy themselves. Between the concerts, the street food and the rides, there's a little something here for party lovers of any age.

With a full 45-minute parade, this is a perfect all-day event. Watch the parade at night with the kids, and enjoy some signature Mardi Gras drinks for the nighttime concerts. But no Mardi Gras parade is complete without Cajun food, and the Orland Mardi Gras planners prepare some great food. Below you'll find a neat overview of the best Orlando's Mardi Gras has to offer.

French Quarter Street Fair

The French Quarter is where Universal hosts their Mardi Gras street fair. The streets fill up with authentic New Orlean artists playing blues, jazz and zydeco and mouthwatering Cajun food. This is truly the best part of Mardi Gras if you like a good spicy meal. With jambalaya, gumbo, Cajun sausage and doughy beignets for dessert, make sure you fill up both before and after the parade and concerts.

Mardi Gras Concerts

Orlando's Mardi Gras if full of musical acts. With a concert nearly every night, it's easy to catch big names like Olivia Newton-John, STYX, Trey Songz and Kelly Clarkson (some acts to grace 2015's festival). Concerts take place in Universal's Music Plaza. Although the shows get crowded very quickly, you can kick back and watch the concert in peace thanks to the two huge TV screens. There are also shot girls who stroll around the plaza offering delicious Jello shots.

Mardi Gras for the Adults

While the kids love Universal Studios to death, this is nonetheless a great show for the adults. There is a huge variety of speciality drinks offered in the park for Mardi Gras. The signature drink is the Voodoo Juice. Full of Full Throttle energy drink, orange, pineapple and cranberry juice and rum for the alcohol, make sure your order this drink in a souvenir glass for $3 more.

Orlando Mardi Gras Parade

The Orlando Mardi Gras parade is a blast. Keep your hands open as the floats pass by and try to catch as many beads as you can. This is a wonderful family-friendly interpretation of the Mardi Gras parade. Taking place in the Hollywood section of Universal Studios, the parade takes place every night a concert is scheduled. The parade has their own musical floats and marches, giving it a great Cajun vibe in Central Florida. Be on the lookout for the signature float, King Gator, although new floats are added each year. The floats are accompanied with all sorts of entertainers, from bands to stilt walkers.

Any trip to Orlando should be planned in time for the Orlando Mardi Gras festival. Fun for the kids, a blast for the adults and honest fun for the whole family, don't miss out on the chance to book a Mardi Gras party bus night.

Back to Orlando