Mardi Gras 2026 is quickly approaching. Although the heart of Mardi Gras in the U.S. is in New Orleans, Louisiana, there are many celebrations throughout the Sunshine State, particularly in Florida Panhandle cities.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the Mardi Gras events in Florida this year and a quick look at what some of Florida’s theme parks are doing for the holiday.
When is Mardi Gras 2026? When is Fat Tuesday?
Where to get Pensacola king cakes Mardi Gras
Discover Pensacola’s top spots for delicious king cakes this Mardi Gras season, from classic cinnamon to unique blueberry-lavender jam and Nutella flavors. Pre-order or grab-and-go at local favorites like Adonna’s, J’s Bakery, and Apple Market!
Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, will fall on Tuesday, Feb. 17, this year. Carnival season, which is the time leading up to Mardi Gras, began 12 days after Christmas, on Jan. 6.
Fat Tuesday is a festive day of indulgence. For those who observe Lent, it’s the last night of consuming rich, fatty foods before the long season of fasting and abstinence leading up to Easter.
It’s also referred to as “Shrove Tuesday,” coming from the practice of “shriving,” which means purifying oneself through confession before Lent, according to the Almanac.
Mardi Gras 2026 celebrations in Florida. List of parades and festivals throughout the state
There are many Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the Sunshine State every year; the list below includes just a few of them. Likely the most lively place to celebrate Mardi Gras in Florida is Pensacola, due to its proximity to New Orleans, which is about a three-hour drive away.
Here’s a short list of some Mardi Gras parades and celebrations throughout Florida.
Pensacola French Quarter Fat Tuesday
Pensacola has several Mardi Gras events and began celebrating on Jan. 3.
On Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, the city will host a celebration that will transform downtown Pensacola into the French Quarter.
“The Priscus Celebration, a longtime Pensacola Mardi Gras tradition, begins at 11 a.m. with a Jazz Royalty Brunch featuring a Mardi Gras menu, Half Shell Vodka Bloody Mary Specials, and low country boil. Krewes will take over every room inside historic Seville Quarter, transforming the historic complex into the French Quarter for the day,” Pensacola’s Mardi Gras website says.
“Krewe Royalty and elected officials will be on hand as Seville Quarter is overtaken and becomes the French Quarter. The coronation of a the new Priscus Royalty will take place around 7 p.m., and the end of the 2026 Mardi Gras season will be commemorated at midnight.”
Here’s the schedule, according to Pensacola’s Mardi Gras website:
- 11 a.m. – Seville will host a Jazz lunch along with Crawfish outside at the End o’the Alley with live entertainment.
- 5 p.m. – Mardi Gras Krewes will come together for a celebration with live entertainment throughout the complex.
- 7 p.m. – Danny Zimmern, President of Pensacola Mardi Gras, will present awards for the 2026 Mardi Gras season, and will end with the coronation ceremony of the new Priscus Royalty for Mardi Gras 2026. The French Quarter night and ceremonies will peak with a Mardi Gras drag show and dancing inside Phineas Phogg’s while other entertainment throughout the complex continues throughout the night.
Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus parade and festival “under the sea”
Apalachicola will be celebrating a little late, with a street party, a festival, and a dog parade on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28.
“This beloved coastal tradition features a lively street festival and the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Barkus Parade, a parade of costumed dogs and their people. Guests are invited to dive into the fun in festive costumes, creative floats, wagging tails, and plenty of local flair. All sea lovers and their loyal sea pups are invited to swim by and enjoy this fintastic ocean adventure,” the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce website says.
“The 2026 theme is ‘Under the Sea.’ Pups and their people will don costumes inspired by the wonders of the deep blue sea, a magical ocean realm ruled by dogs. The streets will be swimming with majestic mer-dogs, sea royalty, pirate and their ships, shimmering fish, daring divers, and maybe even a sea monster or two.”
Here’s the schedule, according to the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce website:
- Friday, Feb. 27: From 12 to 6 p.m., there will be an old-fashioned Mardi Gras street event that will feature live music, entertainment, food, and drinks. Participants are invited to bring their golf carts and decorate them for Saturday’s parade and stay for the new Sundown Celebration.
- Saturday, Feb. 28: Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park, with the dog parade at 1 p.m. There will be a variety of food, arts, crafts, live music, a beer and wine garden with local craft brews, the pet parade, street entertainment, pet and family photos, pet adoptions through the Franklin County Humane Society, and animal ambassadors from the Florida Wild Mammal Association.
Navarre Beach Mardi Gras parade
“Join the Navarre Krewe of Jesters, celebrating 40 years of family-friendly fun, Mardi Gras floats and beads on beautiful Navarre Beach for the Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026,” the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce website says.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m., on Gulf Boulevard, from Indiana Street to the traffic light at the intersection of the Navarre Beach Causeway. The theme for this year’s parade is “Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America.”
Dunedin Mardi Gras festival
Dunedin will be hosting a Fat Tuesday street festival and parade.
“The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is organizing the street festival portion of the evening, bringing live music, musical artists, and a festive downtown atmosphere to complement the parade. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks from local businesses, live performances throughout the night, and the excitement that fills the streets before and after the parade,” Visit Florida’s website says.
“This is a community-wide celebration designed for residents and visitors to enjoy downtown Dunedin together. For everyone’s safety and comfort, pets and coolers are not permitted.”
The celebration will be held in downtown Dunedin, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the parade at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce website.
DeLand Mardi Gras dog parade
The 2026 DeLand Mardi Gras dog parade will be on Valentine’s Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is the Saturday before Fat Tuesday.
“Costumed canines and their two-legged companions will sashay along Woodland Boulevard, from Michigan Avenue to Howry Avenue. Parade starts at 11 a.m.,” according to the MainStreet DeLand Association.
“After the parade, stay for the Festival on Georgia Avenue, which runs until 3 p.m. Activities for people and dogs will include entertainment, vendors, and authentic Mardi Gras food and music. The entire event is open to the public and admission is free!”
Mardi Gras celebrations at Florida theme parks
Universal Orlando
Orlando’s Universal Studios theme park celebrates Mardi Gras for a lot longer than is typical every year, with concerts and events scheduled from February through April. The seasonal event is included with park admission, which starts at $124 per day for guests aged 10 and up.
While venturing throughout the parkwide celebration, guests can find kiosks featuring culinary delicacies inspired by cuisines from around the world — including Beignets from New Orleans, Vienna-Style Pork Schnitzel from Austria, and Verlasso Salmon from Chile.
To top it off, every night of Universal’s Mardi Gras season, there is a Mardi Gras parade.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando
Busch Gardens in Tampa also celebrates Mardi Gras for quite a long time. Busch Gardens’ Mardi Gras celebrations started in January and will end on March 1, every day from noon until closing time. You don’t have to pay extra to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities.
“Get jazzed up with Mardi Gras-style entertainment, live music and catch some festival beads (after each parade). Feast like kings and queens on New classic Cajun cuisine as Busch Gardens brings the “Big Easy” to Tampa Bay,” Busch Gardens’ website says.
SeaWorld Orlando only celebrates from Feb. 12 through Feb. 22.
“Let the good times roll with limited-time food, cocktails, entertainment and live music – Mardi Gras style as part of our Seven Seas Food Festival,” SeaWorld Orlando’s website says.
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