Universal Orlando is celebrating 25 years of party with their Mardi Gras celebration in 2020, which is scheduled to run from February 1st through April 2nd. Guests will be able to enjoy the nightly Mardi Gras parade and entertainment, new cuisine inspired by “Carnivals Around the Universe,” and music straight from New Orleans every day during the event. Plus, you can catch free live concerts on select nights.

This year’s headliner concert lineup will feature the biggest names in music, including chart-topping DJ and producer, Marshmello, the multi-platinum international star behind global smash-hits “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi, and the best-selling American girl group of all time, TLC. See the full concert lineup and additional event details below, and stay tuned for more theme park news!

Mardi Gras Headliner Concert Lineup 2020

On select nights of Universal’s Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida, you can catch performances from some of the biggest names in pop, rock, country, and more at the Music Plaza stage. Shows begin at 8:30 PM, but space is limited so grab you spot early. Concerts are free with your theme park admission. See the full list of headliner shows below, as well as more details about the event.

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

Mardi Gras Parade Schdule 2020

The Universal Mardia Gras nightly parade is family-friendly, and features colorful floats, stilt-walkers and other performers, lively music, and of course, beads. This year’s theme is “Treasures of the Deep” featuring floats inspired by a Treasure Map, the Sunken City of Atlantis, Creatures of the Deep and a treasure-filled Shipwreck Island. Here’s the scheduled parade start times for the event in 2020.

5:45 PM:
Feb 20

6:00 PM:
Feb 2 – Feb 7

6:15 PM:
Feb 9 – Feb 14
Feb 17 – 19, 21
Feb 23 – Feb 28
Mar 1 – Mar 6

7:30 PM:
Mar 9 – Mar 12
Mar 16 – Mar 19
Mar 23 – Mar 27
Mar 30 – Apr 2

7:45 PM:
Feb 1, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29
Mar 7, 8, 13-15, 20-22, 28-29

Mardi Gras French Quarter Foods

Every day during the event starting at 4:00 PM, the French Quarter Courtyard, located across from Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York, will offer N’awlins style food and drinks. Returning authentic Cajun cuisine like gumbo, jambalaya, po boys and more are joined this year by the Carnival Around the Universe tasting tent, featuring dishes inspired by carnivals worldwide with new menu items debuting every two weeks throughout the event.

Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard

Can’t decide on just one dish? The Mardi Gras Tasting Lanyard will allow you sample the best of everything, including special sample size versions of jambalaya, beignets and more. An exclusive Lanyard for Passholders is also available. You can even bring your lanyard back for multiple days if you still have some samples left on it too.

Bayou Boil Returns

On select nights (whenever a headliner concert is scheduled,) you can take part in the Bayou Boil, an authentic New Orleans crawfish boil experience. Gather in Battery Park for a feast of crawfish with all the fixins. Not a seafood fan? Then enjoy chicken and Andouille sausage jambalaya upon request. You’ll also get an exclusive parade viewing area, along with King Cake, beignets, sparkling wine and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. The experience is $59.99 for adults and $39.99 for children, plus tax. Passholders save 20% off price. Reserve your spot here.

Bayou Boil Dates:
Feb. 1, 8, 15, 16, 22, 29
March 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29

Feast & Floats Dessert Party

This special add-on offers exclusive views for both the Mardi Gras parade and Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration, along with hors d’oervres specialty desserts, sparkling wine, sparkling cider and non-alcoholic drinks. It is $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children, plus tax. Passholders save 20% off price. Reserve your spot here.

Dessert Party Dates
March 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31
April 1, 2

Mardi Gras French Quarter Authentic Tunes

You can catch live performances by bands pulled straight from Bourbon Street daily in the French Quarter Courtyard. Experience the Big Easy’s signature sound with performances by real Louisiana jazz, blues and zydeco bands.

• Feb 1 – Feb 13: Dirty Bourbon River Show
• Feb 14 – Mar 6: Free Agents Brass Band
• Mar 6 – Mar 21: New Breed Brass Band
• Mar 22 – Apr 2: Naughty Professor Brass Band

All of the excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida. The event will run from February 1st through April 2nd in 2020. Headliner concerts are only performed on 16 select evenings throughout the event.

If you’re looking to book your next trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to request your free vacation quote from our good friend Elizabeth at Destinations in Florida. She can help you book the best deals on tickets, hotel room, and more, and her services are completely free!

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