Photos / Video: Let the Good Times Roll at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Mardi Gras

See what the park has to offer for Mardi Gras – taking place select days through March 2nd, 2025.

The good times are rolling at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with their Mardi Gras celebration. Guests can enjoy special food and beverage offerings, an energetic parade, live music and of course, beads! Today, we took a trip to the park to enjoy the festivities.

Most of the event takes place around Iron Gwazi Plaza towards the front of the park, with all the food and beverage booths located in one central area – offering some fun alternatives to regular park options. Plenty of colorful New Orleans-inspired decor can be found throughout this area.

Throughout the day, you’ll find performers throwing beads to the crowd from this Bourbon Street-inspired set-up.

Guests can enjoy dining experiences featuring a range of Cajun-inspired dishes, including beloved festival favorites like shrimp creole, po’ boy sandwiches, crawfish étouffée, and beignets.

Several times each day during the event, guests can enjoy an energetic parade, complete with colorful Mardi Gras beads. The parade culminates with live music from the Mardi Gras Brass Band.