Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2025 concert series kicked off with a packed house last night, as the highly anticipated T-Pain concert hit full capacity before the show even began. Guests received an official notification from Universal through the Universal Orlando Resort app just 20 minutes before the scheduled 8:30 p.m. start time, simply stating: “T-Pain Concert at Capacity.”
The Music Plaza Stage, located near Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, serves as the main venue for Universal’s Mardi Gras concerts. While the rest of the park remained open for general admission, no additional guests were allowed into the designated concert viewing area once it reached full capacity.
Allie Uncharted shared a video of what the venue looked like when at capacity, stating, “T-Pain is at capacity 😗”.
T-Pain is at capacity 😗 pic.twitter.com/rloHoTsfHj
— Allie Uncharted❣️💕❤️🔥 (@allie_uncharted) February 2, 2025
With Mardi Gras at Universal running through March 30 and more major artists set to perform, guests planning to attend future concerts should take note that arriving early is essential to securing a good viewing spot. Once the area reaches capacity, additional entry will be restricted.
Magic City Mayhem posted the notice on X, stating, “It is VERY busy. @UniversalORL”.
It is VERY busy. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/4a08Clf6sZ
— magic city mayhem (@magiccitymayhem) February 2, 2025
Mardi Gras at Universal: What Guests Need to Know

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval transforms the park into a vibrant festival filled with live music, themed food, and a spectacular parade featuring elaborate floats inspired by New Orleans traditions.
This seasonal event is included with standard park admission, meaning guests can experience world-class performances at no extra cost, but securing a good viewing spot requires advanced planning.
Key Details for Universal’s Mardi Gras Concert Series

Event Dates
Universal Mardi Gras runs from February 1 through March 30, 2025.
Concert Location and Viewing Information
Concerts take place at the Music Plaza Stage, located in Universal Studios Florida near Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. on select nights.
Admission to the concerts is included with park entry, but space in the designated viewing area is limited. Guests who want to secure a good spot should plan to arrive well before showtime, as access will be restricted once the area reaches capacity.
Mardi Gras 2025 Concert Lineup
The event features a lineup of major artists across multiple genres.
- February 1: T-Pain (Reached Capacity)
- February 8: Joe Jonas
- February 15: Kool & The Gang
- February 16: Juanes
- February 22: Scotty McCreery
- March 1: Foster the People
- March 8: Illenium
- March 15: All Time Low
- March 16: Lawrence
- March 21: Coco Jones
- March 22: DJ Pauly D
- March 29: TLC
Mardi Gras Parade and Themed Experiences

In addition to concerts, Universal’s Mardi Gras features a nightly parade marking 30 years of celebration. This year’s six new floats are inspired by some of the most famous Krewes in New Orleans, alongside Universal’s signature lineup of traditional New Orleans-inspired floats. The parade features live performers, music, and bead-throwing opportunities for guests along the route.
Food and beverage offerings also play a significant role in the celebration, with kiosks featuring global flavors inspired by Carnaval traditions around the world. This year’s highlights include:
- Beignets from New Orleans
- Duck Xian Bing from China
- Pinchos de Lechon from Puerto Rico
For those looking for an enhanced experience, Universal’s Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience allows guests to enjoy a three-course meal at one of Universal’s participating restaurants and secure a spot to toss beads from a parade float. This package starts at $89.99 per person and includes one appetizer, one entrée, one dessert, one non-alcoholic beverage, and a parade float rider reservation.
Planning a Mardi Gras Visit
Guests planning to attend concerts should be aware that popular performers will likely draw large crowds, and viewing areas may reach capacity well before showtime. Those wishing to secure a prime spot should arrive early, as seen with the T-Pain concert on opening night.
Beyond concerts, the Mardi Gras event offers a wide range of entertainment, from the high-energy parade to diverse food offerings and live performances throughout the park. Guests looking for a less crowded experience may want to visit earlier in the day or on weeknights when concerts are not scheduled.
With more major performances on the horizon, guests should plan ahead, monitor the Universal Orlando app for capacity updates, and be prepared to arrive early to fully experience all that Mardi Gras 2025 has to offer.