Time to start practicing those Samba moves
We all love Carnaval. Parties, good food, music, everyone smiling and happy… c’mon, what’s not to love? Now, imagine putting all of that inside a theme park, where guests are already happy… so they can get EXTRA happy! Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
Universal had this genius idea in mind, which is why they’re getting ready for Mardi Gras, kicking off on February 1 at Universal Studios and running all the way through March 30. Mardi Gras is a free event (still requires a standard park ticket) that features a daily parade with numerous floats and artists, kiosks offering food from all over the world, a special store selling Mardi Gras merchandise, and even special concerts on select nights featuring fan-favorite bands like Foster the People.
The parade is the highlight each year, taking about 45 minutes to make its way through the entire park. With its stunning floats and elaborate costumes, it always reminds me of the incredible Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.
But Universal Studios won’t just be about the parades this February and March, oh no. Get ready to enjoy exciting new food and merch as well! Here’s what Universal has to say:
“Savor dishes like Hot Maple Lacquered Salmon from Canada, Spicy Szechuan Chicken Bites from China, a Colombian Burger, and Beignets for days. And don’t miss the Mardi Gras Tribute Store - a themed experience as well as a shop filled with everything you need to keep the celebration going.”
There will also be live concerts at Universal Studios Florida, including Foster the People on March 1, 2025. Other big names set to perform include Joe Jonas, Kool & the Gang, and T-Pain.
I love these celebrations that give us new experiences at a theme park to enjoy. You can even book a spot on one of the Mardi Gras floats for a fee! Some guests who’ve done it in the past say it’s a truly unique and fun experience, though it can take some time and might cut into your ride schedule.
