Feet don’t fail me now! Or in this case, arms don’t fail me now! Universal Mardi Gras returns to Universal Studios Florida from February 7th through April 4th, 2026. If you are an Annual Passholder and you have wanted to throw beads during a lively Mardi Gras parade, your chance to sign up to ride a float is coming soon!

Mardi Gras Parade

Universal Mardi Gras features live concerts, delicious food, and a festive parade that you won’t want to miss. The Mardi Gras parade is always such a fun time, with colorful floats, elaborate costumes, catchy music, and LOTS of bead necklaces. Each float in the parade has people on it throwing beads into the crowds — and you can be the one throwing the beads from the float!

There are two options for snagging a spot to throw beads: purchase a Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, OR, if you are an Annual Passholder, you can try to grab a free reservation. Reservations are already open for the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, but if you are an Annual Passholder hoping to snag a free spot, you need to mark your calendars.

Throwing beads from the float!

Reservations for Annual Passholders open on January 15th after 12 PM. (In the past, we have seen reservations open up right around 12 PM, but currently Universal is just saying it will be sometime after 12 PM, not that reservations will actually open at 12 PM.) You can sign up for yourself and up to 8 other Passholder friends — just make sure you have the names and pass numbers for everyone else you are trying to sign up. You can register to be in the parade and throw beads on select nights from February 7th through April 4th. Spots fill FAST, though, so get some finger exercises in and be ready to go.

Hi everyone!

We have been able to snag a spot in prior years, and it is SO much fun. When you arrive, you are assigned a float, and you are loaned a costume to wear that matches the float. You hang out for a bit to learn the proper throwing technique and get hyped up for the night. Then you are escorted to your float, and you head out onto the parade route! It is so fun to see everyone in the audience and get to throw out lots and lots of beads.

Costumes for bead throwers

So, mark your calendars for January 15th! Reservations open after 12 PM, so be quick if you want to snag a spot. May the reservation-making gods be in your favor! We are always on the lookout for the latest Universal Orlando news, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

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Are you hoping to snag a spot to throw beads during this year’s Mardi Gras Parade? Let us know in the comments!