Busch Gardens Mardi Gras

The Big Easy Meets Big Thrills

Let the good times roll at Busch Gardens Mardi Gras!

Let the good times roll at Busch Gardens® Mardi Gras, every weekend from January 27 through February 26. Celebrate with jazzy live music, classic Cajun flavors, and returning favorites like Carnaval Imaginique, an electrifying cirque show in the Globe Theatre. Enjoy colorful entertainment throughout all nine of Busch Gardens’ villages with an exciting New Orleans-style event for the whole family; featuring jester drummers, a DJ and street performers. Tempt your tastebuds with over thirty mouth-watering bayou favorites, like the Crawfish Boil, shrimp étouffée, handcrafted cocktails and iconic warm beignets. The Big Easy meets big thrills with three world-class roller coasters, over fifteen rides and kid-friendly play areas. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind party every Friday through Sunday, plus Presidents' Day, from January 27 through February 26.

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*Included with park admission. Event dates and details subject to change and/or cancellation without prior notice.

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Mouthwatering Cajun food & cocktails

Tempt your taste buds with Mardi Gras inspired offerings like a Crawfish Boil roll and handcrafted cocktails. Choose among 30 specialty menu items with a five or ten item Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard! Stay tuned as we get closer to the start of the event to purchase yours!

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Mouthwatering Cajun Cuisine at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Mardi Gras

NEW! Mardi Street Party

France village comes to life in this exciting ALL-NEW parade of colorful ribbon dancers and stilt walkers. Wave hello to the King of Mardi Gras and collect beads as his jesters pass by! Then, snap a photo with the krewe in front of our iconic Bourbon Street-inspired backdrop.
FAN FAVORITE! Carnaval Imaginique

Experience Carnaval Imaginique, a cirque themed spectacular in the Globe Theatre, and fan favorite since its debut in 2022. Thrilling acrobatic artistry and stunning acts of balance and strength are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
New Orleans Jazz Band

Immerse yourself in the brass beat as an emcee conductor takes the stage in Das Festhaus with a New Orleans Jazz Band.
Samba Jamboree

Step up the fun with these wacky, wild court jester drummers sure to entertain you! Catch them as they make their way through Rhinefeld with a jazzy New Orleans rhythm.
Killarney Band: Unplugged

Warm up in the iconic Abbey Stone Theatre with this classic Irish band putting their own spin on Mardi Gras rock!
Mardi Party DJ

Enjoy the party atmosphere in front of Das Festhaus with a DJ playing today’s top hits.
Masquerade Scavenger Hunt

This family-friendly park-wide masquerade scavenger hunt offers Mardi Gras fun for even our youngest guests!

Coasters & Thrill Rides

Spice up your day by soaring through the winter sky on one of our iconic roller coaster or spin & fly on more of your favorite thrill rides:

• Verbolten®*
• Apollo’s Chariot*
• Alpengeist
• Finnegan's Flyer
• Oscar’s Whirly Worms
• Prince Elmo’s Spire
• Der Autobahn
• Der Autobahn, Jr.
• Flutter Sputter

• Bug-A-Dug
• Le Catapult
• Kinder Karussel
• The Little Gliders
• Little Balloons
• Li’l Clydes
• Der Roto Baron
• Elephant Run
• Busch Gardens Railway
• The Flying Machine

*Please note that colder temperatures or inclement weather conditions may impact ride operations during the event.

Check Out The Rides
Sesame Street® Forest of Fun

The spirit of Mardi Gras extends to Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™. Enjoy kid-friendly rides like Oscar’s Whirly Worms and Prince Elmo’s Spire, then snap a photo with a furry friend at 1,2,3 Smile with Me! Join Elmo and friends as they dance, sing and play games on the stage in Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™.

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Land of the Dragons

Enter a whimsical land filled with mythological creatures and a ton of fun for our youngest guests. Little ones can enjoy climbing nets and rides such as Flutter Sputter and Bug-A-Dug in this magical play area.
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