TAMPA, Fla. — Mardi Gras has returned to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the good times are rolling again.

​The festivities kicked off last week but continue select days through March 6.

For the celebration, Busch Gardens has put together a lineup that includes a Mardi Gras parade, a live brass band playing jazzy tunes, and a handful of food booths serving New Orleans-style fare.

Although there’s a Mardi Gras sign and some performers at the entrance, the bulk of the celebration is confined to an area of the park near the Bird Gardens.

In this area, there are several food booths with offerings such as Po’ Boys, Creole-style Jambalaya and beignets.

There’s also a booth serving up Hurricane cocktails.

Busch Gardens has sampling lanyards available—a five-item lanyard for $35 or a 10-item lanyard for $55. The lanyards can be used for food and beverages in the Mardi Gras area.

A parade also comes through the area multiple times during event days. It features music and performers in colorful costumes. Some of the performers will also toss beads to visitors.

A brass band is also part of festivities and perform on the Coca-Cola stage after the parade concludes. 

On event days, Mardi Gras festivities run noon to 8 p.m.

Beyond Mardi Gras, there are more events to look forward to at the park this year. In addition to returning favorites like Food & Wine Festival and Bier Fest, Busch Gardens has added new ones to the schedule, including Cinco de Mayo.