If it’s February, it’s Mardi Gras time in Florida! While Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras has been growing in popularity in recent years, so have the community celebrations of Mardi Gras. Everyone seems to love a parade with colorful floats and they all seem to have one thing in common… BEADS! Lots and lots of beads!
Carnival history
The term “Mardi Gras” means “Fat Tuesday” and refers to the day before Ash Wednesday (the first of the forty days of Lent that preceded Easter). While Christians used to forgo meat and other indulgences during Lent, “carneval” or “goodbye to meat” became “carnival,” a festive period in which overindulgence was in order.
Perhaps the most famous Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans (or should I say N’awlins?), But if you can’t make it to New Orleans, grab one of these celebrations (and some beads) in your neighborhood.
Florida carnival celebrations
Take the link provided for specific admission times, dates, and information at each location. Advance tickets are often offered at a discount when purchased online. Parental supervision is suggested as some celebrations may not be suitable family entertainment.
Cocoa Village Mardi Gras – Pleasant crowds for over 20 years, Cocoa Village Mardi Gras offers live entertainment, a colorful parade with more than 30 floats, and authentic Cajun-style food.
Dunedin Mardi Gras – Thousands of people attend this small community celebration that is so much fun for the whole family. Catch some beads from over 50 festive floats in the parade that kicks off the party. Afterward, enjoy live entertainment and great food until 11:00 pm
Lake Wales Mardi Gras – Bringing together traditions, colors and costumes from global Mardi Gras celebrations, the Lake Wales celebration includes outrageous costumes, exotic floats, masked crowds, carnival royalty and the rhythms of Dixieland for an afternoon and evening. uninhibited with pageantry.
Leesburg Mardi Gras – Mardi Gras in Leesburg is not a matter of one day. The month-long celebration features four mixers where king and queen candidates entertain and compete for votes to be crowned and reign as King Rex and Divine Queen. The street party is 12 hours of non-stop revelry, with jugglers, fire eaters, mosquitoes, live music, festive meals, and three bead parades galore!
Mardi Gras at the Harbor (Destin): Just in its fifth year, Mardi Gras at Destin’s Harborwalk Village is a weekend family party that begins on a Friday. You’ll want to get a babysitter on Friday for the pub crawl, but be sure to take them to the parade on Saturday that features more than 100 colorful floats, bands, and local groups.
Pensacola Mardi Gras – Not just one parade, but two highlight the Pensacola Mardi Gras celebration. An illuminated night parade on Friday night is a sight to behold; And, the Saturday afternoon parade is a colorful and grand affair.
St. Andrews Mardi Gras Festival (Panama City Beach) – In true festival fashion, this celebration includes Jester’s Kid Village, Crafter’s Row with over 70 vendors and multiple live music venues.
Universal Mardi Gras (Orlando) – Perhaps Florida’s best-known Mardi Gras celebration each year, running every Saturday and selecting nights from early February to mid-April. Orlando’s theme park transforms into the “Big Easy” for a unique Mardi Gras celebration that includes a parade, a street party, and special concerts by some of the world’s most popular artists.
