Universal announces Mardi Gras concert lineup

ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort comes alive this spring with its Mardi Gras 2014 celebration, featuring 20 nights of electrifying concerts from the biggest names in music, coupled with the essence of the legendary Bayou bash.

On select nights Feb. 8 through May 31, guests will experience a “N’awlins”-inspired, family-friendly version of Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida. The celebration combines unmatched theme park entertainment with delectable Cajun cuisine, authentic New Orleans bands, an awe-inspiring parade and live concerts by some of today’s hottest artists.

This year's powerhouse musical lineup features a diverse array of talent, from R&B superstar Robin Thicke, whose hit single "Blurred Lines" topped the Billboard chart for a near-record 12 weeks, to UK pop sensation The Wanted, who has sold nearly 10 million albums worldwide, to Latin idol Prince Royce, who reached number one on the U.S. Hot Latin Songs chart with "Corazón Sin Cara." Also performing is rock band Daughtry, Grammy award-winning Hip Hop artist Nelly, and the classic rock group Foreigner, one of the best-selling bands of all time. For the complete line-up, see below.

February 8: Daughtry

February 15: Barenaked Ladies

February 16: Thomas Rhett

February 22: Robin Thicke

March 1: Collective Soul

March 8: Prince Royce

March 14: Cody Simpson

March 15: Foreigner

March 21: TBD

March 22: Gavin DeGraw

March 28: TBD

March 29: TBD

April 5: Skillet

April 12: Lynyrd Skynyrd

April 19: Kool & the Gang

May 3: Nelly

May 10: The Wanted

May 17: TBD

May 24: TBD

May 31: TBD

Guests can also catch colorful beads by the handful during this year’s parade, which will feature 12 vibrant floats, including three new additions celebrating Jules Verne’s novel, “Around the World in Eighty Days.” All of the exquisitely detailed Mardi Gras floats are engineered by Blaine Kern Artists, the same company that has been hand-crafting floats for the iconic New Orleans celebration since 1947.  Plus, guests can visit Universal Studios Florida’s very own French Quarter Courtyard to enjoy authentic Cajun cuisine and see performances by bands pulled straight from Bourbon Street.

The excitement of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida, where partygoers can also join Optimus Prime in the fight to save Earth on TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D or visit Springfield, home to The Simpsons, to take an intergalactic spin on Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl. With an upgraded park-to-park ticket, guests will have the opportunity to visit Universal Orlando’s second theme park, Islands of Adventure, and enjoy award-winning attractions like: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk Coaster and more.

In addition to two theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort is home to three on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and a fourth on-site hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, opening March 31, 2014. And its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers some of the hottest, most recognizable entertainment experiences in the world.

For more information and a full concert listing, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

WFTV