There are so many events, celebrations, and festivities throughout the year across Florida’s parks that it can be hard to know where to start. However, visiting those at Universal Orlando Resort can ensure they always end up extraordinary. Whether you attend low-key events like the Fourth of July and Easter or opt for Universal’s biggest and best parties like Mardi Gras and the exhilarating Halloween Horror Nights, you have plenty of options for unmissable events taking place no matter when you decide to visit…
Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavours of Carnaval
Mardi Gras is one of the most fun and exciting events of the year, and there’s nowhere better to spend it than at Universal Orlando. If previous years are anything to go by, you can expect grand parades, performances, and costumes, along with music, food, and plenty of entertainment. The annual event takes place in the first few months of each year, with 2025 dates yet to be announced, although celebrations are likely to stretch from the start of February to the beginning of April. Events and activities include traditional New Orleans bands, food, and multiple parades. 
The Mardi Gras parades in 2025 are rumoured to be themed around the elements such as wind and fire, with parades taking place every evening at various times. Previous years have also seen a variety of concerts with headliners such as Walker Hayes and DJ Khaled in 2024. Admission to Mardi Gras is also free for anyone who has a ticket to Universal Studios on the dates of the festivities!
On the food front, previously New Orleans cuisine was confined to a few select locations, sold in dozens of delicious food booths throughout Universal Orlando, but for 2025, menus at Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay will also have Mardi Gras-inspired dishes, along with certain resorts. Finally, don’t forget that you’ll also be able to buy lots of Mardi Gras merchandise, from t-shirts to tumblers and of course, famous Mardi Gras beads, at shops across the parks.
Easter Celebrations
Easter 2024 has been and gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t crack on and plan an eggcellent time at next year's celebrations. The parks don’t usually go all-in on Easter at Universal, but the resorts certainly do, including Loews putting on a special buffet at Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort.
The Easter brunches are the focal point during Easter at Universal Orlando, and you’ll need to be staying at a resort overnight to take advantage. Each resort’s brunch is slightly different, ranging from Caribbean to seafood platters, buffets and more, although all of them feature various activities and live entertainment, such as acoustic music acts. Better yet, the resorts also host fun Easter egg hunts.
Independence Day
The Fourth of July is a federal holiday across America celebrating the ‘birth of the nation’ in 1776. Each year,
Universal Studios Florida puts on a host of festivities to mark the occasion, and whilst It’s not the biggest event in Universal’s calendar, you’ll get a little extra entertainment like the firework show. Before this big finale, you can expect live performances and more in the Music Plaza throughout the afternoon, including a live DJ getting a dance party started with famous characters.
Luckily, the Music Plaza also happens to be one of the best spots to watch the 9pm fireworks, so if you’re keen to catch them, you won’t even have to leave. To recharge, there will also be a range of delicious, classic American food on offer, which you can enjoy on the lawn before the evening fireworks. Better yet, unlike some events, such as Halloween Horror Nights, everything at Universal on 4th July is included in the price of your admission. 
Halloween Horror Nights
For many girls and ghouls, Halloween is the best time to visit Universal Orlando. If it sounds a little scary – it is. However, all the scare events happen at night, which means you can still enjoy spooktacular rides and treats during the day worry-free! In 2024, the scares are set to begin earlier than ever on August 30, running until November 3, when scare zones, zombies, haunted houses, and spine-tingling live shows pop up.
Although there are events most nights, there will be exceptions, so be sure to check the events calendar ahead of time. You’ll also need a separate admission ticket for Halloween Horror Nights alongside your general park entry. So, the earlier you book, the better, as the events are extremely popular. If you want to beat the crowds, bear in mind that you will be able to visit the haunted houses until 2am, giving you plenty of time to explore.
Each year,
Halloween Horror Nights has an overall theme. This year, they’ve unveiled the first haunted house, inspired by The Quiet Place horror films. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it features creatures with exceptional hearing that hunt anything making a sound. Prepare to relive the film's terrifying moments from the Abbott family's eerily silent farmhouse to the nerve-wracking confines of the root cellar. Additionally, six original haunted houses have been introduced, including Triplets of Terror, where the Barmy Triplets host a gruesome birthday bash; Major Sweets Candy Factory, where sweets transform kids into sugar-crazed sprites; and Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, featuring terrifying legends guided by La Muerta.
Christmas Holiday Parade
The most wonderful time of the year is made even more merry at Universal’s Christmas Parade featuring Macy’s. Although there’s little information yet on the 2024 holiday season, we can take a good guess at what to expect based on last year's events. In 2023, celebrations ran from late November until New Year's Eve. The main event is Universal’s huge holiday parade in partnership with Macy’s, where gigantic inflatable characters take to the street and skies through Universal Studios Florida. 
The parade lasts for around 30 minutes, and this year, we can confirm characters from the likes of Despicable Me, Shrek and Madagascar will appear alongside Santa himself! All of this is set against amazing lights, music and decorations, which kids and adults will love. Normally, the parade happens nightly between 5pm and 6pm, although we advise arriving earlier to secure the best spot for watching the parade - one of the best places is by Revenge of The Mummy: The Ride, as you’ll be able to see the parade’s famous Christmas tree and take great photos of Santa as he rides past on his sleigh.
Ready for a holiday to remember? View our bespoke 2024 & 2025 Universal Orlando Resort packages 
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