Mardi Gras 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Beads, Brass Bands, and Cajun Cuisine
The Florida theme park food festival season kicks off Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Let the good times roll!
Orlando area theme park fans should be familiar with the Mardi Gras celebrations. Universal Orlando Resort hosts one yearly, with the 2025 version starting on February 1. SeaWorld Orlando incorporates Mardi Gras into its extensive Seven Seas Food Festival, which starts Jan 31.
However, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay starts celebrating Mardi Gras this year on January 11. The festivities happen on select days, mostly weekends and holidays. Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay happens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January 11 through March 2. The Martin Luther King holiday also offers guests an additional day of Mardi Gras fun on Monday, January 20. The Mardi Gras event is included with theme park admission, so it does not require a separate ticket to enjoy.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a range of spirited entertainment during the Mardi Gras celebration. One example is the festive parade, which showcases performers who toss beads as they march to the beat of an authentic brass band. All Mardi Gras activities at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay qualify as family-friendly, especially the bead tossing, which the kids that attend love.
Mardi Gras 2025 Parade at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Bird Gardens of Busch Gardens come to life during Mardi Gras. Near the impressive roller coaster Iron Gwazi, this area embraces the traditional New Orleans spirit on Mardi Gras days. During the parade, guests will see entertainers, stilt walkers, and musicians during this parade.
The parade route starts near Zagora Café, near the entrance to Busch Gardens. It travels to the left side of the theme park to the Bird Gardens and the Coke Canopy. The parade happens several times a day on Mardi Gras days.
Bead Balcony
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay utilizes a “Bead Balcony” at the end of the parade route for guests looking for more beads and fun. Some parade performers move to the top of the Bead Balcony, from where the Busch Gardens Ambassadors toss beads to the guests. A limited quantity of beads is available.
Brass Animals at Busch Gardens Mardi Gras
No Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without a brass band. The Brass Animals will play traditional Mardi Gras music this year on event days. Although a bunch of animals playing music would be a fabulous theme park experience, this talented band of humans will impress guests with the classic sounds. The band will perform in the Coke Canopy area, where guests can sit in a covered area to enjoy the music.
Mardi Gras 2024 Food
Of course, this event also features Mardi Gras-themed culinary delights. Guests should expect to find beignets, crepes, shrimp-based dishes, and a few alcoholic beverages to fit the theme.
Officially, Busch Gardens stated that guests should prepare to “Tempt your taste buds with New Mardi Gras-inspired offerings like Crawfish étouffée, andouille sausage po’ boy sandwiches and a must have sweet treat at any Mardi Gras celebration – beignets! Get a taste of Bourbon Street with handcrafted cocktails such as Hurricanes, a Purple Passion Craft Cocktail, and so much more.”
In a recent press release, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay clarified and gave additional information about the Marid Gras food and beverage menu items. They stated, “Guests can indulge like royalty with a feast of Cajun-inspired cuisine, featuring festival favorites such as Shrimp Creole, Po’ Boy Sandwiches, Crawfish Étouffée and Beignets. The celebration continues with a taste of Bourbon Street, offering handcrafted cocktails like Hurricanes and other refreshing libations to keep the good times rolling.”
For more information about Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, theme park hours, and to view showtimes, guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com. Also, the Real Music Series occurs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during this time of year.
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