Universal Announces 2023 Mardi Gras Dates

Universal Mardi Gras is coming back in Spring 2023 as it does every year. The annual event included in the cost of your theme park ticket to Universal Studios Florida runs daily from February 4 through April 16, 2023. However, the name of the event this year hints towards the celebration’s new focus. The event is being dubbed Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval implying the event is leaning toward being known as a food festival first.

Universal Mardi Gras has always been a celebration of all things New Orleans including the food. Universal started shifting how they served food with the event in 2019 by moving to shareable portion sizes. 2020 saw the start of the Carnival celebration by rotating new menu items throughout the entire event.

The pandemic forced Universal Mardi Gras to end early in 2020, but then it returned in 2021 focused on food because the parade wasn’t in the cards. The parade returned in 2022 along with the same amount of food and beverage options from the previous year. Now, Universal plans on transforming Universal Studios Florida into the biggest part with mouthwatering cuisine inspired by Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Brazil to Belgium and beyond.

The parade will also return in 2023, but the theme hasn’t been announced at this time. Live concerts will happen on select weekend nights with huge names in the music industry. Universal also features entertainment directly from New Orleans to fill the streets along with plenty of performers and beads! More details on food and entertainment will be revealed soon.