Mardi Gras fun kicks off at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The theme park food festival season has begun at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with Mardi Gras 2024 and we checked out all the seasonal offerings.
We were recently invited to visit Busch Gardens for the Mardi Gras 2024 event. Similar to last year, this event starts at noon on select days (primarily weekends) until March 3, 2024.
Busch Gardens offers a range of spirited entertainment during the Mardi Gras celebration, (included with park admission), including a festive parade showcasing energetic performers who toss beads as they march to the beat an authentic brass band.
Mardi Gras 2024 Parade
The Bird Gardens at the theme park come to life as entertainers, stilt walkers, and musicians bring the Mardi Gras spirit to Tampa Bay during this lively parade, which features festive characters throughout the entire route. The parade starts at Zagora Café and Market and moves through the Coke Canopy.
The parade concludes with the entertainers dancing, playing music, and engaging with the crowd for a brief set. Visitors should be careful to clear the path for the parade. A larger area will be blocked off around the Bead Balcony for the performance at the parade’s end. The performers did a great job.
The parade happens at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
“Bead Balcony”
Following the parade, some of the performers move to “Bead Balcony” where they throw beads to the crowd below, and activity that’s great fun for the entire family.
We really appreciated that the performers focused on ensuring the children got beads. Like the parade, this happens several times daily on Mardi Gras days at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Brass Band Performances at Mardi Gras 2024
If you enjoy brass band music with a New Orleans jazz style, then Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens has some great options for you. After the parade concludes, the brass band moves to the covered stage area nearby to continue playing. Covered seating allows guests to enjoy the music while avoiding the sun or bad weather.
In addition, short concerts with a themed brass band happen daily during Mardi Gras days. On the day we visited, a brass band concert occurred four times and lasted about fifteen minutes.
Mardi Gras 2024 Food
Of course, this event also features Mardi Gras-themed culinary treats.
“Parkgoers can taste Bourbon Street at the popular event, which features a new crepes station and foodie favorites such as Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Andouille Sausage Po’boys,” Busch Gardens stated/ “Traditional cocktails such as Hurricane, signature mocktails, beers, and wine will also be available for guests. “
All the Mardi Gras treats and Cajun eats can be enjoyed by purchasing a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard ($45 for five samples or $60 for ten). Pass members can buy an exclusive 12-item Sampler Lanyard. Busch Gardens provided us with a five-sample lanyard to try some of the festival food offerings, and even though we were hosted, we tried the same food available to any other guests.
We tried the following new Mardi Gras food items:
- Louisiana Hot Shrimp – New Orleans spiced shrimp served with cheddar grit cake
- Cajun BBQ Short Rib – Slow roasted BBQ beef short rib and corn puree (also includes carrots)
- Blackened Chicken Slider – Blackened chicken, spicy bread & butter pickles, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun.
- Chicory & Chocolate Crepes – Chocolate-infused with coffee, French crepe, and soft serve ice cream.
Our favorite new Mardi Gras food item turned out to be the Cajun BBQ Short Rib. The BBQ beef came well prepared for a theme park festival food item, and for those concerned that it might be too spicy, we did not find it very spicy.
The Louisiana Hot Shrimp is a good choice for those looking for a larger portion size. Although there was plenty of shrimp to share, guests should not expect the shrimp to be table service restaurant quality; however, we still found the shrimp dish was a good value without being overly spicy.
Beignets
We finished up our Mardi Gras food tour with beignets. Guests receive three beignets (served cold). The quality was good, but these are not served warm and there is no dipping sauce, so be prepared for that.
Overall, we enjoyed our day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Of course, we appreciate theme parks having special events adding value to a theme park day. Click here for more information about Mardi Gras 2024 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
