Casting Crowns – who just won the 2011 American Music Award® for Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year (its second such honor) – will headline the lineup for the 30th-year history of Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, 2012, along with Christian music greats MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Kutless and needtobreathe. Filling Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort with the sound of contemporary Christian music will be more than a dozen artists with a 20-year legacy of accolades – including multiple GMA Dove Awards, GRAMMY® Awards and numerous other accomplishments.

Here’s the night-by-night Night of Joy 2012 lineup (entertainment, event times and schedule subject to change):

• Friday, Sept. 7, 2012: Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, needtobreathe, Red, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Royal Tailor, Disciple
• Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012: MercyMe, Third Day, Kutless, Chris August, Lecrae and Thousand Foot Krutch

Newcomers to Night of Joy include Royal Tailor, bringing the 30-year roster of artists to 150 acts.

Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists perform at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom Park attractions also are available for guests. One- and two-night individual Night of Joy tickets will be put on sale in the spring. In addition, there are special benefits for groups of 10 or more. Additional information about individual and group tickets is available at www.nightofjoy.com.