Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval for 2026 is underway, and we have compiled a full guide to help you plan your visit! This year’s event runs from February 7 until April 4, 2026.
Complete Guide to the 202 Universal Mardi Gras Celebration
Decorations
The central medallion at the main entrance arch of Universal Studios Florida shows a man playing the trumpet. He wears a hat and sunglasses. Masks, musical notes, and other symbols surround the border. “Mardi Gras,” “Universal Orlando,” and “Food, Floats, Fun” add text to the sign.
Other decorations have been placed around the park including lamppost decor matching the central medallions. A large NOLA sign, yellow, purple, and green decor, reminders of great food and jazz, and much more bring the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras to Universal Studios Florida.
Food Menus
One of the highlights of Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida is the food! Food and beverages from New Orleans and beyond can be found at different locations around the park. We have compiled a list of kiosks and menu items special for the event. You can also check out a more in-depth look at the menus on Universal’s official site.
2026 Tribute Store
The Mardi Gras Tribute Store is in the park’s Hollywood section. The entrance is the Williams of Hollywood facade, and the exit is Studio Styles. The theme of this year’s store is “TonTon’s Roadhouse,” inspired by the event’s mascot, Baron TonTon. Guests enter through a large carnival-style skull face with corrugated paneling and a fleur-de-lys coin around it.
We have a full tour of this year’s tribute store with a look at all the hidden details and Easter eggs:
Merchandise
This year’s merchandise features festive designs that include characters like King Gator, Gator Junior, Baron Tonton, and more.
We first found the first new items for sale at the Universal Studios Florida Music Plaza Stage. You can also find much of this merchandise at the 2026 Mardi Gras Tribute Store.
Passholder Merchandise and Offerings
Universal Orlando Annual Passholders can get into the festive spirit with a new Passholder magnet for Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2025 in addition to discounts, treats, and UOAP-specific merchandise.
Discounts include 15% off the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine experience and $30 off the Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card for a limited time. UOAPs can also ride a Mardi Gras Parade float for free for one day during the event.
Universal Mardi Gras Parade
The parade is performed nightly at Universal Studios Florida for the duration of the Carnaval celebration. Guests can view it from the ground or participate as a bead thrower by signing up for the float ride experience. The parade begins in Hollywood next to the Universal Horror Make-Up Show. It travels down the Hollywood street, then through Minion Land and New York, ending where it started. Passholders can watch the parade from a special viewing area reserved just for them, located at Mel’s Drive-In, available Thursday through Sunday.
Guests at this celebration can either be bead catchers or bead throwers. Bead throwers do need a bit of preparation, however. You can purchase the Float Ride and Dine Experience or annual passholders can sign up for free to be bead throwers.
Watch the 2026 Mardi Gras Parade below:
Concerts
Mardi Gras concerts are included with valid park admission and take place on select nights during the event at the Music Plaza Stage in Universal Studios Florida. This year, guests can see acts like Portugal. The Man, Joey Fatone, Shaggy, and Zedd. Last year, the T-Pain Concert reached capacity before the concert began at 8:30 p.m., so be sure to get there early!
This full lineup for this year includes:
- Kaskade: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Portugal. The Man: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Ivy Queen: Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Joey Fatone & AJ McLean: Saturday, February. 21, 2026
- Rupaul (DJ Set): Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Shaggy: Saturday, March 7, 2026
- Tyler Hubbard: Friday, March 13, 2026
- Bebe Rexha: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Zedd: Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Barenaked Ladies: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- The All-American Rejects: Saturday, March 28, 2026
French Quarter Courtyard Entertainment
Beyond the major headliners, there is live entertainment all over the park. Over in the French Quarter Courtyard and the New York area, you’ll find more musicians, such as Louisiana jazz and zydeco bands.
This year the authentic New Orleans Brass Band, Honey’s Mardi Gras Indians will take to the streets of New York in dazzling beads, feathers, and sequins as they display a traditional form of cultural expression and resistance that honors African heritage.
Cursed Coconut Club
A Mardi Gras overlay has returned to the CityWalk venue, transforming the Red Coconut Club into the Cursed Coconut Club for the season. This year, the club is dedicated to “Salon Du Samedi” with a “Cryptids, Spirits, Dive Bar” theme. Baron Samedi is a major Lwa spirit of Haitian Vodou sometimes associated with Mardi Gras.
The club is full of Easter eggs and references to past characters and events at Universal.
Watch our full tour of the 2026 Cursed Coconut Club:
Are you planning a visit to this year’s Mardi Gras celebration at Universal? Let us know what you are most excited about on social media!
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