In a summer that’s been jam-packed with new rides, shows and loads of non-stop entertainment, Universal Orlando has a lot to be celebrating in their “Year to Be Here”. But perhaps one of the Orlando theme park’s most successful events so far has been its annual Summer Concert Series.

While not a new event, the Summer Concert Series at Universal Studios is always one of the biggest and most popular the theme park puts on each summer. Year after year, the Summer Concert Series brings in some of the most popular bands, artists and musicians of today and this year was no different as a powerhouse of performers took to the Music Plaza Stage each Saturday in June for the kind of performances you’d expect to experience if you were to actually pay to see them in concert (the Summer Concert Series was included in regular theme park admission).  

The talented cast of Nickelodeon’s hit TV series “VicTorious” kicked off the Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 9. The characters from the show not only performed an amazing concert, they also stuck around for a Q&A session and even previewed upcoming episodes of the series.

“VicTorious” was then followed by legendary rock band ZZ Top and alternative rock band 3 Doors Down on June 16. This isn’t he first time the two famous bands have worked together in one concert. ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down both recently worked on the Gang of Outlaws tour along with Gretchen Wilson.

The rest of Universal Orlando’s Summer Concert Series included Josh Turner on June 23, Al Green on June 30, Lupe Fiasco on July 7 and just last weekend Miranda Cosgrove closed out the fabulous Summer Concert Series. Other than her hit show iCarly on Nickelodeon, she plays Margo, one of Gru’s girls, in Despicable Me. Her voice is also featured in the new Universal Studios 3D ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem!, which she visited on opening day with Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher, voice talents for Gru’s other two girls.

After each concert, guests were invited to stick around to experience Universal Studios new lagoon show, Cinematic Spectacular: 100 years of Movie Memories, which is just one of the exciting attractions that has already debuted in Universal’s “2012 Year to Be Here” campaign.

So what’s next on Universal’s calendar? The Orlando theme park will continue to rock the summer away with its other annual concert series, Rock the Universe. The biggest Christian music festival in Florida will take over Universal Studios’ stage Sept. 7 & 8 with some of the biggest names in Christian music including Skillet, Newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Switchfoot and more. By September 21st, prepare yourself for Halloween Horror Nights 22 with The Walking Dead and Silent Hill scares! Stay tuned for more details on Rock the Universe and Halloween Horror Nights 22.
 
In the meantime you can enjoy the rest of Universal Orlando’s rides, shows and attraction like the new Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem ride and the Superstar Parade with discounted tickets right here on Best of Orlando.