It’s only May, but Disney World wants to make sure you have ample time to get ready for three of its biggest parties of the year. Tickets for three annual Disney events are now on sale:

Night of Joy - Sept. 7, 8

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - Sept, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30; Oct, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31; Nov. 2

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party - Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30; Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21

All three events require separate tickets other than regular Magic Kingdom admission. The after-hours Halloween and Christmas events feature special parades, festive decorations, seasonal shows and fireworks, plus special treats. Night of Joy is a two-night celebration featuring multiple Christian rock music performers.

Pricing for the events vary based on when you purchase tickets. For more information or to buy tickets online, go to http://www.disneyworld.com/.

Get ready for a night of joy.

Walt Disney World has announced that tickets are now available for its popular two-night Christian music extravaganza at Magic Kingdom. The after-hours, separate ticket event scheduled for Sept. 7-8, features two nights of music with multiple performers each night. A number of select attractions will also remain open inside Magic Kingdom throughout the event which runs from 7:30 pm to 1:00 am.

The Night of Joy lineup of performers on Sept. 7 includes Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Needtobreathe, Disciple and Royal Taylor. The Sept. 8 list of performers includes Third Day, MercyMe, Chris August, Kutless, Lecreae, Thousand Foot Krutch, Yolanda Adams and Dara Maclean.

Tickets are available in advance for $52.95 (all ages) or on the day of the event for $62.95. Two-night tickets are selling for $94.95. For information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.nightofjoy.com/ or call 407-934-7639.

Prepare for a variety of fun opportunities in Orlando this weekend, including lots of music around Orlando’s theme parks.

At Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel, you can listen to the rock band, The Smithereens performing as part of the monthly Velvet Sessions concert series. The concert in the hotel’s lobby area also features free food and drink beginning at 6:30 pm prior to the music kicking in at 8:30 pm. For details,  visit www.velvetsessions.com.

At Epcot, there’s still time to enjoy the annual International Flower & Garden Festival. Musical guest Paul Revere and the Raiders are set to perform three shows per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm. The concerts are part of regular Epcot theme park admission.

Although he won’t be singing, famed animal expert Jack Hanna will be hosting live shows at SeaWorld Orlando on Friday, Saturday and Sunday inside the Nautilus Theater at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, tickets go on sale this Sunday for Disney’s always popular two-night Christian music celebratiob, Night of Joy. The separate ticket event at Magic Kingdom will be held Sept. 9-10, 2011.

Featured performers scheduled for Night of Joy include Group 1 Crew, Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Jeremy Camp, Skillet, Matthew West, Disciple and Newsboys on Sept. 9.

The Sept. 10 event will include musical guests TobyMac, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, Marvin Sapp, VaShawn Mitchell, Sanctus Real, Chris August and Kutless. For details, go to www.nightofjoy.com.