UPDATED October 14, 2024

A Walt Disney World vacation isn’t only made up of rides and Mickey Ice Cream Bars… Did you know that you can find world-class entertainment all over the Resort? From parades and fireworks to Broadway-style shows, live music and more, you might be surprised by all the ways Walt Disney World is ready to ENTERTAIN you!

Before we dive in, please be aware that showtimes often vary. So be sure to check My Disney Experience and posted schedules on Information Boards in the parks for showtimes and appearances.

If you’d like to jump to a specific topic, simply click any of the links below:

• Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars
• Parades
• Evening Projection and Drone Shows
• Broadway-Style Productions
• Stage Shows
• EPCOT Seasonal Festivals Concert Series
• More In-Park Entertainment
• Ticketed Shows
• Dinner Shows
• Live Music

Nighttime Fireworks Spectaculars

Magic Kingdom

Happily Ever After lights up the skies over Cinderella Castle each evening with stunning fireworks set to memorable Disney songs!

This fireworks show features memorable music, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend down Main Street, U.S.A.!

Click HERE to see photos AND videos from Happily Ever After!

EPCOT

An ALL-NEW nighttime spectacular has made its debut in Walt Disney World’s EPCOT: Luminous The Symphony of Us. This production — featuring fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and unforgettable Disney songs — debuted on December 5th, 2023!

Disney shares that the show is meant to “reflect the commonality in all of us,” and that the show invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.”

Click HERE to find out more about Luminous!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! is a truly unforgettable production presented at the Hollywood Hills amphitheater in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Combining water effects, fireworks, and appearances by literally dozens of Disney characters — all set to Disney songs in an original story starring none other than Mickey Mouse — it’s a show you won’t want to miss!

Parades

Festival of Fantasy Parade and Character Cavalcades

Magic Kingdom guests can see OODLES of Disney characters, hear beloved songs, and see larger-than-life floats DAILY in Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade!

Guests can see LOTS of favorite Disney pals in Character Cavalcades in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. 

Flotillas sail along Animal Kingdom’s Discovery River carrying Mickey and friends (and MANY more pals). 

The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade in Magic Kingdom presents the most Disney pals in a cavalcade to date.

Look forward to seeing friends like Nick and Judy, Baloo, Miguel, Merida, Moana, Elena, Toy Story characters, Clarabelle, and more!

Electrical Water Pageant

The Electrical Water Pageant is a Disney World tradition, having first floated around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake in 1971.

Guests can see this Disney World classic from the shores of the following Magic Kingdom area Resorts: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Evening Projections and Drone Shows

Disney Springs

UPDATE: Dream That Soar ended its summer run on September 2nd, 2024, but we are keeping this information here in hopes that it returns to Disney Springs in the future!

The West Side of Disney Springs hosted a BRAND NEW Drone show above Lake Buena Vista this summer: “Disney Dreams That Soar” is inspired by Disney stories that showcase flight! It made its debut on May 24th, 2024.

These drones are programmed to create designs in the sky and are accompanied by a beautiful musical score that includes memorable movie quotes. The show ran through September 2nd, and was a great late-night perk for those still hanging out at Disney Springs!

Click here for PICS and VIDEOS of Disney Dreams That Soar!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Celebrate 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation with an evening viewing of the Wonderful World of Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Projections of memorable scenes from Disney films are presented on the replica of the Chinese Theater (home to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway), accompanied by those classic Disney songs.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In the evenings, the Tree of Life Awakenings set a magical scene after the sun sets. Beautiful projections set to memorable music (including Disney tunes) bring the Tree of Life TO life as stories inspired by our animal friends are presented in an unforgettable display.

Showtimes are unlisted (and presentations are seasonal based on the sunset), but when presented, Awakenings occur approximately every 10 minutes after dark and through park closing.

Broadway-Style Productions and Musical Stage Shows

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests can see all of their favorites from Beauty and the Beast, including Belle, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Chip, and Mrs. Potts, performing beloved songs from the film during Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage!

Oh, and Gaston makes a BIG appearance, too, of course. 😉 Performances take place several times throughout the day in the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard.

Also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration takes the beloved characters and story to a whole new level, where YOU (and any little Annas, Elsas, and Kristoffs) can join in the show by singing along!

P.S. If by some chance you don’t happen to know all the words to “Let It Go,” 😉 , they appear on a screen for you to join in!

“The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2025! The new show will be a reimagined show inspired by the original animated classic from Walt Disney Animation Studios. 

“The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” will premiere at the Animation Courtyard theater, which is currently where the closed Voyage of The Little Mermaid show sits. When it opens, we can expect to hear beloved musical numbers like “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.”

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King is Animal Kingdom’s Broadway-style production of the beloved Disney film, The Lion King!

Presented in the Harambe Theater, guests enjoy live performances of the movie’s signature songs, spectacular costumes and puppets, dancing, and even acrobatics to share Simba’s story in a truly memorable way.

Then, “just keep swimming” to DinoLand, U.S.A. to the Theater in the Wild to see Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

Live performers, colorful puppets, and the memorable music and story of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, this is a CAN’T MISS production in Animal Kingdom!

Stage Shows

Magic Kingdom

Starting your day at “rope drop” in Magic Kingdom? Disney characters — including Mickey! — kick of the day with music and magic at Cinderella Castle with Let the Magic Begin!

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire is a show that takes place several times throughout the day on the Cinderella Castle stage.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy are joined by more beloved characters such as friends from The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, and Frozen!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Prepare yourself for “Fortune and glory, kid.” It’s the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! 

And this show delivers all the action from Raiders of the Lost Ark to you LIVE.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Once an hour, beautiful Macaws gather in front of Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life in Winged Encounters — The Kingdom Takes Flight! You won’t want to miss it when these colorful creatures fly directly overhead!

Winged Encounters typically takes place on the quarter after every hour from 9:15AM – 3:15PM.

In Animal Kingdom’s Asia, Feathered Friends in Flight! gives guests the opportunity to learn about the care of the park’s birds from animal behavioral specialists in a behind-the-scenes look…

…with help from none other than the birds themselves!

EPCOT

¡Celebración Encanto!

A BRAND NEW Encanto stage show has made its debut in EPCOT! ¡Celebración Encanto! is a sing-along that features beloved songs — and characters! — from the film.

The show is presented several times a day and takes place on the CommuniCore Plaza stage.

Get ready to party with Bruno and Mirabel!

Oh, and in the evenings, you can still stop by and be entertained with live music!

EPCOT Seasonal Festivals

EPCOT hosts four Festivals during the calendar year: The EPCOT Festival of the Arts, the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, and the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

Live music and entertainment plays a huge part of each Festival, with everything from Concert Series to the Candlelight Processional During the holidays. We’re listing each Festival with its corresponding entertainment below, along with links so you can learn more!

EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Disney on Broadway Concert Series
EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival: Garden Rocks Concert Series
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival: Eat to the Beat Concert Series
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: Candlelight Processional

More In-Park Entertainment

Magic Kingdom

The music and entertainment in Magic Kingdom are a huge part of the turn-of-the-century charm on Main Street, U.S.A.!

• The Main Street Philharmonic is Magic Kingdom’s 12-piece brass band and percussion ensemble.
• The Dapper Dans are Main Street’s very own Barbershop Quartet!
• You can even listen to a little ragtime performed by the pianist outside of Casey’s Corner.

EPCOT

Explore various cultures through music, the arts, and more with unique entertainment throughout EPCOT!

• Mariache Cobre has been performing lively and vibrant mariachi music in EPCOT since the park’s opening day.
• You’ll encounter Sergio, juggler and mime, in the Italy pavilion.
• Bavarian folk songs played on dairy farm tools?! Yep! Stop by the Germany pavilion to be entertained by the Groovin’ Alps!
• Matsuriza Taiko Drummers bring the ancient art of Japanese drumming to guests visiting the Japan pavilion.
• Want to hear some classic British rock during your trip around World Showcase? Command Performance in the United Kingdom pavilion has you covered!
• You can also pop into the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room to catch the Rose & Crown Pub Musician.
• Alberta Bound brings the sounds of the Great White North to guests at the Canada pavilion with live music performances.
• Enjoy the sounds and dance of a Moroccan Band with Atlas Fusion in the Morocco pavilion!
• Celebrate not only America, but also American music with the Voices of Liberty in The American Adventure pavilion.
• Who makes percussion instruments out of trash and tin cans and brooms? The JAMMitors, that’s who!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ATTENTION!! Be on the lookout! The Green Army Drum Corps performs daily in Toy Story Land!

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app to find out what times you can join the recruits.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom reflects the beauty of the cultures of Africa, Asia, and even the Valley of Mo’ara in Pandora.

• Join in a Discovery Island Street Party with the music, dancing, and energy of the Viva Gaia Street Band. 
• The Harambe Village Acrobats perform an unforgettable show in Harambe Village!
• Enjoy the music of Kora Tinga Tinga as you stroll through the village of Harambe.
• More musical entertainment is presented by the high-energy Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe!
• Chakranadi brings the sounds of the sitar and tablas to Animal Kingdom’s Asia!

Ticketed Shows

A new Cirque Du Soleil production made its debut in November 2021 at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World.

Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney combines Disney animation with the truly unique and stunning acrobatic performance of Cirque du Soleil.

Drawn to Life is presented on the West Side of Disney Springs in the same iconic “tent” theater in which La Nouba — the previous Cirque du Soleil production in Disney World — ran for 19 years. You can learn about purchasing tickets and more about the production here.

Dinner Show and Campfire Show

Disney World is home to one of America’s longest running dinner shows, filled to the brim with food and FUN! The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show made its debut on June 30, 1974, and has been delivering wonderful vacation memories to Walt Disney World guests ever since.

Located in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, the setting is a huge barn complete with stage and musical numbers performed by the Pioneer Hall Players, and there are buckets of food for the table to share serving up an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal of fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, and MUCH more. 

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground also hosts the Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long!

During the campfire sing-a-long, families can roast marshmallows, sing songs (makes sense 😂 ), and meet Chip ‘n’ Dale! The experience as a whole is generally free, though you’ll have to bring or pay for your s’mores supplies to roast at the fire, if you like.

Live Music

Dinner shows aren’t the only places offering live entertainment while you dine. Several restaurants around Disney World offer live music to enjoy during your meal or evening drinks!

Disney Springs

In Disney Springs, locations that often serve up your meal with a side of SONG include fan-favorite Raglan Road! Not only can you enjoy classic and contemporary Irish music, but the Raglan Road Irish Dancers often perform throughout the evenings.

Music even expands to the outdoor patio stage! Check RaglanRoad.com for showtimes throughout the week.

Other great spots that often welcome artists to perform include The BOATHOUSE (with The Captain’s Sing-Along Brunch on weekends), Frontera Cocina, Paradiso 37, and Paddlefish (on the rooftop deck), and The Edison (late nights, adults only).

Along with live music often being performed at the Front Porch bar and inside the House of Blues Restaurant, you can also check the House of Blues website for concert information for traveling artists.

Even a simple stroll around Disney Springs gives guests a chance to encounter live performances (from saxophone players to “traveling” pianos and more) at spots like Riverboat Square, the Springs Overlook, Sunshine Highline, and Waterview Park. Just follow the tunes!

EPCOT

“Zigge Zagge, Zigge Zagge, Hoi! Hoi! Hoi!”

Guests in EPCOT can celebrate Oktoberfest ALL YEAR LONG at Biergarten Restaurant, where a buffet bursting with German favorites is accompanied by a show!

Resort Hotels

Even your Disney Resort hotel may have some entertaining surprises in store, from Polynesian music accompanied by a ukulele at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to the sounds of a Grand Piano played in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort!

Locations with regularly scheduled shows include Jellyrolls (Disney World’s own Dueling Piano bar!) at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

And jazz fans can often enjoy an evening performance at Scat Cat’s Club in Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter.

The main draw to the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside is the famous boogie woogie singalong piano player Yehaa Bob Jackson!

You’ll find that there’s NO SHORTAGE of top-notch entertainment around Walt Disney World Resort. But if you’re looking for even MORE great things to do, then check out our DFB YouTube Video!