Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration will feel a bit more like its pre-pandemic self next year.
The 2022 event will see the return of the nightly Mardi Gras parade, as well as live concerts at the Music Plaza Stage. Both were regular features of Mardi Gras before COVID-19, and were axed in 2021 to allow for physical distancing between guests.
This past year’s event instead placed parade floats around the park for photo opportunities and put a greater emphasis on food, with specialty booths sprinkled through Universal Studios Florida.
Universal’s press release promised that in 2022, “ guests can savor mouth-watering, authentic Cajun-style cuisine from New Orleans and additional dishes inspired by diverse tastes and flavors from around the world at locations throughout the park and at Universal’s hotels.”
The concert lineup has not yet been announced. Past guests have included The Roots, Diana Ross, Steve Miller Band, and Pitbull.
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras is currently scheduled to run from Feb. 5 through April 24, 2022. If 2021 is any indication, more dates may be added, as Universal extended the last event several times before wrapping up festivities in May.