3 Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras Outside of New Orleans
With the annual celebration of Mardi Gras, many travelers may be looking for ways to partake in the festivities without the high-end price and stress of New Orleans. Here are three great alternatives for an equally (or more!) exciting and unique Mardi Gras experience.
International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando Resort guests can let the good times roll and party beyond the bayou during Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. The fan-favorite event returns to Universal Studios Florida with a dazzling parade, mouthwatering cuisine inspired by global Carnaval celebrations and star-studded live concerts on select nights.
Running daily from February 4 through April 16, this year’s festivities invite guests to:
- Enjoy eight live performances by top names in music like Sean Paul, Maren Morris and Goo Goo Dolls at the Music Plaza Stage on select nights (see below for full concert lineup)
- Catch beads by the handful during this year’s dazzling “Mythical Realms of Mardi Gras” parade – featuring six new floats inspired by fantastical creatures like dragons, phoenixes, unicorns and more that will join Universal’s traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats – such as the iconic, two-story Riverboat and nearly 50-foot-long King Gator. Plus, guests can take the celebration to the next level and be part of the festivities by tossing beads to fellow partygoers by purchasing the new Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, which includes a 3-course meal at one of four participating restaurants and one Mardi Gras parade float rider reservation.
- Taste the mouthwatering flavors of global Carnaval celebrations from New Orleans to Brazil to Belgium and beyond with an expansive menu featuring more than 50 tasting-sized items. Plus, guests can enjoy more for less with the purchase of the Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card by paying $65 for a $75 card, and Universal Orlando Passholders have exclusive access to a $150 card for only $120.
- Stock up on the latest Mardi Gras merchandise at this year’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store, located in an all-new space in the Hollywood area of the park. The highly immersive retail location is themed to represent an international jazz celebration that leads to the traditional alleyways of New Orleans and ultimately into a speakeasy where the Mardi Gras festivities continue.
- Keep the party going at Universal CityWalk with special Mardi Gras menu items at select restaurants, including a new Masquerade Milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, along with food kiosks located throughout the complex featuring delicious menu items that offer a taste of the Mediterranean, the Islands and popular Mardi Gras fare. Plus, guests can attend a Mardi Gras After Party at Pat O’Brien’s on select nights and enjoy special entertainment and theming at the Red Coconut Club – which will transform to the Cursed Coconut Club for the Mardi Gras season.
- And more!
Access to Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with an Annual or Seasonal Pass (blockout dates apply). Florida Residents can take advantage of a new offer to partake in the festivities that gives them two days of free admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure with the purchase of a 2-Park, 2-Day ticket (valid for use through June 29, 2023; blockout dates apply) – and for just $25 more, they can add one day of admission to Universal’s Volcano Bay. For more information about Universal’s Mardi Gras, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/MardiGras.
Kid-friendly Museums & Parades in Coastal Mississippi

"The Secret Coast" is not too far from New Orleans, so it has the added benefit of sharing in the French Creole and Cajun cultures that make Louisiana's famous celebration so distinct. The gulf coast area has unique museums and more than 20 parades, each featuring floats, events and more along the 62-mile coastline. Many of the celebrations are family friendly, welcoming everyone to join along in the Mardi Gras entertainment.
- Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum: Located in Biloxi, this family friendly museum welcomes all to experience the unique coastal history of Mardi Gras on The Secret Coast.
- LMDC Children’s Mardi Gras Celebration: Mardi Gras but for the family! On January 28 at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, families can come together in their favorite Mardi Gras costume and enjoy Mardi Gras themed music, bingo, art activities and karaoke.
- Annual Ocean Springs - Elks Mardi Gras Parade: The first large parade of the Mardi Gras season in The Secret Coast, taking place on February 4, from Front Beach to Holcomb Blvd. in Ocean Springs.
- Annual Biloxi Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade: Starting on February 11 at 10pm, this walking parade features art activities, refreshments, custom and float contests through the streets of Downtown Biloxi.
- Annual Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade: Rush through the streets of downtown Biloxi on February 21 with The Secret Coast’s biggest Mardi Gras parade. 115 years and strong - What happens on the float...stays on the float!
- Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Night Parade: The last parade of the Mardi Gras season, the evening of February 21 in Gulfport, starting on 19th street and winding through elegant downtown Gulfport.
For more information on Coastal Mississippi’s Mardi Gras celebrations, please find the link here. Also, images can be found here.
Soulard's Cajun Food & Festivities in St. Louis, Missouri

The second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the US takes place in St. Louis, in Soulard (somewhat fittingly, a neighborhood with a French name that means “drunkard”). Every year, the celebrations begin in the first week of January and last through most of February. Events include a winter festival, scavenger hunt, Cajun cook-off, a pet parade and "weiner dog derby," and much more. New this year, cooking demonstrations will include cannabis-infused Cajun cuisine with help from N’Bliss cannabis dispensary. Chef Mike Johnson of Sugarfire Smokehouse and Chef Adam Pritchett of the Hi-Pointe Drive-In will demonstrate how to infuse cannabis into some of their favorite Cajun dishes just two days before recreational cannabis sales begin in Missouri.
For more great food, there's the "Taste of Soulard" held February 11th and 12th. This self-guided tasting and pub crawl allows visitors to choose their own adventure through the many Cajun flavors throughout Soulard. Each purchase includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any of the participating establishments. On Saturday, Trolleys will be shuttling merrymakers to restaurants throughout the neighborhood.
The Mayor’s Ball is a must-attend gala on February 17th that features fine cuisine, cocktails, dancing, live music, and aerial acts throughout the event. This charitable event is hosted by the Mardi Gras Foundation, and the proceeds go to create community grants that have shown demonstrable benefits to the Soulard and Downtown communities since 2003.
The crown jewel of the Soulard Mardi Gras season is the biggest parade outside of the Big Easy: the Bud Light Grand Parade—this year it will be held on February 18th. It begins at Busch Stadium and proceeds through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard to the place where your beer was born: Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The fun doesn’t have to stop at the Bud Light Grand Parade. Afterwards, there's the post-parade Rue du Cirque street party featuring games, live music, a High Heel Drag Race, and a world record-breaking attempt at the largest game of Flip Cup.