A vacation to Walt Disney World wouldn’t be complete without late nights. Whether you’re planning to spend all day in the parks, or splitting your day at the parks with a break, the nighttime shows at Walt Disney World are the best. And well worth the watch! With 360-degree fireworks shows, musical projection shows, and live performances, there is something for everyone! Here are all Nighttime Shows you can find at Walt Disney World at each park, throughout the year.
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Evening Shows at Walt Disney World
Adding a nighttime show to your Disney Vacation takes some planning. Mainly, because many of the shows at each park take place just before closing. This means you have to plan to either stay all day in the parks, until close or plan to come back if you choose to break during the day. And let’s face it if your break involves going back to your resort, and getting ready to go out again as it gets dark, may be tough.
Does Every Disney Park have Fireworks?
No! Animal Kingdom does not have fireworks. Only Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios have a fireworks show as part of their Nighttime Spectaculars.
Do You Have to Hold Your Spot for Fireworks at Walt Disney World?
Yes! Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks show gets crowded fast, due to the layout of the park. As a result, it’s best to save a spot for you and your family about 60 minutes ahead of the showtime. While this may seem excessive, there will be many people holding their spots much earlier. Both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have a better layout that allows for more people. This means, heading to the area about 30 minutes before showtime is adequate.
Nighttime Shows at Magic Kingdom Park
Happily Ever After Fireworks Show
Happily Ever After returns to Magic Kingdom Park on April 3, 2023. Set to the same gorgeous song, Happily Ever After adds digital projections that cover the buildings of Main Street USA as part of the story.
A Kiss Goodnight
This closing show features Walt Disney’s goodnight message to everyone in the park. Much less a show, and more of an audio track set to sparkles on Cinderella’s Castle, this is a good show to watch if you’re staying out late.
Electrical Water Pageant
If you’re staying at one of the nearby Magic Kingdom Area Resorts, you are able to see the Electrical Water Pageant. This pageant feature floats that light up as they float along set to classic Disney electrical music. Much like the Main Street Electrical Parade, there is a sense of nostalgia with this show and it’s well worth the watch! Resorts with a viewing of this pageant include the following. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds.
Nighttime Shows at EPCOT Park
Luminous the Symphony of Us |EPCOT December 5, 2023
Shown on the lagoon at EPCOT a new nighttime spectacular. Called, “Luminous The Symphony of Us”, this show tells the story of us and includes familiar Disney music celebrating all cultures.
Live Concerts at America Gardens Theatre
During the annual EPCOT Festivals, you can see live entertainment as part of the nighttime show lineup. Each Festival has its own concert series and a variety of times that are offered. All are offered at the America Gardens Theatre. There are typically 30-minute performances shown at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM.
- Festival of the Arts: The Broadway Concert Series features classic music and performers from Disney’s Broadway classics!
- Flower and Garden Festival: The Garden Rocks Concert Series highlights bands from the good old days performing fan favorites.
- Food and Wine Festival: The Eat to the Beat Concert Series features pop and rock artists playing popular tunes.
- Festival of Holidays: The Candlelight Processional is an annual holiday tradition. This retelling of the nativity story is narrated by a celebrity speaker and accompanied by a full orchestra.
Nighttime Shows at Hollywood Studios
Wonderful World of Animation
This show at Hollywood Studios takes place on the facade of the Chinese Theatre and features film scenes from the last 90 years in Disney and Pixar history. Sleeping Beauty, Coco, The Incredibles, and more are all part of the show. Hosted by our favorite cartoon Mickey Mouse himself this show displays projections, pyrotechnics, and light effects. Show length: 12 minutes.
Fantasmic!
Shown in the Hollywood Studios amphitheater, this show features Mickey Mouse, 50+ performers, a 40 ft dragon, and a show filled with water displays, color, and magic! Favorite films like Pocahontas, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Lion King are all featured. This is an outdoor show with bleacher seating and well worth the time during your Hollywood Studios day.
Nighttime Shows at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom typically closes early and therefore doesn’t have evening entertainment. However, with varied hours throughout the year, you can see some evening entertainment in the summers and through the holidays. Check park times and the entertainment schedule for availability.
Tree of Life Awakenings
This nighttime show at Animal Kingdom is a projection show featuring sparkling lights, soft music, and scenes from nature. This is a beautiful show, and if you’re lucky enough to be at Animal Kingdom in the evening, we highly recommend this one! Plus, during the holidays, it gets a festive overlay.
Nighttime Shows at Walt Disney World for the Holidays
Magic Kingdom Evening Shows for the Holidays
Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Fireworks. Shown during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this Halloween fireworks show features Mickey and Friends as they explore a haunted house! Hosted by Jack Skellington himself, you can see projections from classic Halloween Disney films on Cinderella’s Castle. Along with spooky music to set the scene.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. This Disney Christmas Fireworks Show is shown during the holidays at Walt Disney World. However, it is sometimes exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Be sure to check the entertainment schedule if you’re hoping to see this show.
EPCOT Evening Shows for the Holidays
Candlelight Processional. This annual reading of the nativity story is part of the Festival of Holidays and shows nightly throughout the festival. Narrated by a celebrity speaker this is a must-see show for Christmas at Walt Disney World.
Hollywood Studios Evening Shows for the Holidays
Sunset Seasons Greetings. One of our favorite shows at Hollywood Studios at Christmas is Sunset Seasons Greetings. This show projects seasonal scenes onto the Hollywood Tower Hotel facade and stories onto the Sunset Boulevard billboards. The entire street comes alive at nighttime with snowfall, music, and shows.
Animal Kingdom Evening Shows for the Holidays
Tree of Life Awakenings-Holiday Edition. During the holidays Animal Kingdom stays open a little later to show a holiday version of Tree of Life. With scampering wildlife, snowfall, and pine tree scenes, this is a beautiful show honoring the winter season.
Nighttime Shows at Walt Disney World
No matter what your plans are for your Disney World Vacation, be sure to add at least one nighttime show to your itinerary. With spectacular fireworks and shows featuring all your favorite Disney characters, it’s well worth the evening!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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