This week Disney parks announced the schedule for this years Night of Joy. Night of Joy is my favorite special event at WDW all year. With a great line up including Casting Crowns, Building 428 and Chris Tomlin this is one of THE best Contemporary Christian music concert festivals of the year. Universal holds their own awesome jam Rock the Universe this same weekend. Artists usually float back and forth between the two, it may be worth checking out the line up there if your favorite are missing from NOJ.

The best way to maximize your experience and fit in the most concerts is to make a good plan before you go. Plan to eat dinner before the concerts start, if you want to see most of the shows you just wont have time to eat. In between concerts when the bands are swapping out equipment you can grab a snack but if you want a decent view of the band for the next show you should be securing your spot during that time. Don’t forget you can enter the park at 4pm with your party ticket, this is one of the least crowded days of the year at Magic Kingdom, take advantage of those short lines and get some rides in pre party. And if you find yourself wearing out quickly many rides are open during the party with little to no wait, take a break on a longer ride and get off your feet and out of the heat.

The set up includes 3 stage areas where the concerts will take place:
Castle Forecourt Stage in front of the Castle
Galaxy Stage in Tomorrowland next to/behind Buzz Lightyear
Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland near Space Mountain/across from entrance to Peoplemover

Galaxy Stage is a little unique. Its backstage, has cover (for the artists anyway) so shows will go on in the rain, and it has limited capacity. So if your must see artist is performing there you will want to show up early to make sure you get in. Unlike the other stages it is closed off until a little before the concert when they drop the drop and allow you in to the area.

I have copied the schedule below. In my opinion the busiest shows will be Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, and Building 429. 429 is playing twice so that gives you a little more freedom in scheduling. You are going to want to join the crowd for these shows at least 20 minutes pre show if not earlier. The latest shows are often less crowded (it is exhausting standing for hours watching  concerts in September heat, packed in like sardines and some people can’t make it to the end).

Friday, September 5:
Castle Forecourt Stage
7:40 p.m. – Matthew West
9:20 p.m. – Chris Tomlin
11:30 p.m. – Hillsong United

Galaxy Stage
7:30 p.m. – Building 429
8:50 p.m. – Building 429
10:25 p.m. – Mandisa
12:10 a.m. – for KING & COUNTRY

Rockettower Plaza Stage
8:05 p.m. – Matt Maher
9:40 p.m. – The Neverclaim

Saturday, September 6:
Castle Forecourt Stage
7:40 p.m. – MercyMe
9:30 p.m. – Gospel Music Association Winner Phil Perry
9:50 p.m. – Casting Crowns
11:55 p.m. – Skillet

Galaxy Stage
7:30 p.m. – Colton Dixon
8:50 p.m. – Colton Dixon
10:25 p.m. – Britt Nicole
12:10 a.m. – Israel Houghton and New Breed

Rockettower Plaza Stage
8:15 p.m. – 1 Girl Nation
9:40 p.m. – We As Human
11:20 p.m. – Rhett Walker Band