Night of Joy

Dates for 2008: September 5 - 6, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Resort, regarded as one of the top contemporary Christian music events in the country, will feature a 16-act lineup Sept. 5-6 that includes Gospel Music Association Dove Awards winners such as current Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin, Group of the Year Casting Crowns and New Artist of the Year Aaron Shust plus 2004 Artist of the Year MercyMe and enduringly popular tobyMac and Rebecca St. James.

Now in its 26th year, Night of Joy is moving to a new venue, Disney's Hollywood Studios, which features both outstanding concert locations and must-do thrill attractions. Guests attending Night of Joy, which takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (after regular theme park hours), can combine an evening of rockin' Christian music with the thrills and chills of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror plus the shoot-'em-up fun of Toy Story Mania! slated for a summer premier.

Concerts will take place at several stage locations, with eight national recording acts performing each evening. Here's how they'll line up:

• Sept. 5 - Tomlin, MercyMe, St. James, BarlowGirl, Matthew West, Rush of Fools, Brandon Heath and Britt Nichole
• Sept. 6 - Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Fred Hammond, Marcos Witt, Mandisa, Shust, RED and Pure NRG

The lineup represents a continuation of Night of Joy's historic blend of musical talents -- from Christian pop and rock to contemporary Gospel, Urban and hip-hop to Praise and Worship. Half of this year's acts have won Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, one of Christian music's highest honors. More than one million guests have experienced Night of Joy from 1983 through 2007, a 25-year period during which the event was held in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.

Money-saving ticket options are currently available. One-night tickets purchased in advance are $44.95 (a $5 per ticket savings compared to tickets purchased on event days -- if available). Guests can save even more with a two-night ticket available in advance for $75.95. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by visiting www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy. Youth groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets by visiting www.nightofjoy.com/2008 or by calling 877/648-3569. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets early as the event has sold out in recent years.

Updated May 11, 2008