New Year’s Eve at the Disney Parks is one of those days where everything feels bigger, brighter, and just a little more magical. From the moment you walk through the gates, there is an unmistakable buzz in the air as guests prepare to say goodbye to one year and welcome the next with fireworks, music, and unforgettable memories. It is an exciting time to visit, but it is also a day when knowing the opening and closing times for each park can make or break your plans.
Unlike a typical park day, New Year’s Eve often comes with extended hours, late-night celebrations, and carefully timed entertainment that draws massive crowds. That means arrival time matters, departure time matters, and planning around park hours is one of the smartest things you can do. Whether you are hoping to rope drop, pace yourself for a long night, or arrive later in the day to ring in the new year, understanding how the day is structured helps you set realistic expectations from the start. Here are the essential times for opening, closing, and entertainment to keep in mind at both Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort:
- Magic Kingdom: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Early Entry 7:30 AM – 8 AM)
Parade: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away – New! – 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM
Parade: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM
Fireworks: Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks: 7:30 PM, 11:50 PM - EPCOT: 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Early Entry 8:30 AM – 9 AM)
Fireworks: Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration: 11:54 PM
Fireworks: Luminous The Symphony of Us: 6:30 PM - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Early Entry 8:30 AM – 9 AM)
Show: Fantasmic! 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:30 PM
Fireworks: New Year Countdown Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 11:57 PM - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Early Entry 7:30 AM – 8 AM)
- Disney Springs: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Disneyland Park: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM (Park Hopper from 11 AM)
Parade: A Christmas Fantasy Parade 12:45 PM, 3:00 PM
Fireworks: New Year’s Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular 12:00 AM, 9:00 PM
Nighttime Entertainment: Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, 8:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Nighttime Entertainment: Tapestry of Happiness, 6:30 PM
Show: “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting 5:00 PM
Show: Disney Holiday Dance Party: 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Show: Main Street, U.S.A. Holiday Tree Lighting 5:00 PM
Show: Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Disneyland Band at Frontierland 10:30 AM, 1:45 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Disneyland Band at Main Street, U.S.A.11:20 AM 12:15 PM 2:45 PM 4:00 PM 4:45 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Flag Retreat Ceremony 4:00 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Main Street Piano Player 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:20 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:50 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: The Bootstrappers 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:35 PM, 2:30 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: The Dickens Yuletide Band at Main Street 8:15 AM, 9:10 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:10 AM, 12:10 PM, 2:00 PM - Disney California Adventure: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Early Entry 7:30 AM – 8 AM, Park Hopper from 11 AM)
Parade: Mickey’s Happy Holidays 12:45 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM
Fireworks & Nighttime Entertainment: World of Color Happiness! 7:00 PM, 8:15 PM
Shows: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel! 5:05 PM 6:05 PM 7:45 PM 8:45 PM 9:45 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting 4:50 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Citizens of Buena Vista Street 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:15 PM, 8:15 PM, 9:15 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Holiday Toy Drummers 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Le Ballet Dembaya 4:50 PM, 5:50 PM, 7:15 PM, 8:15 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:05 PM, 2:05 PM, 3:05 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Operation: Playtime! – featuring the Green Army Patrol 10:45 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Paradise Garden Bandstand 12:35 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:35 PM, 4:05 PM, 5:05 PM, 6:05 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: The Amazing Spider-Man! 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special 10:25 AM, 11:25 AM, 12:25 PM, 1:55 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:35 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: The Wayu Band 12:35 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:35 PM, 4:05 PM, 5:05 PM, 6:05 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje 10:45 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM - Downtown Disney: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Live Entertainment: Splitsville Kingpin Stage 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Downtown Disney LIVE! Presents DJ Quami 5:55 PM, 6:05 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 10:30 PM, 11:30 PM
Atmosphere Entertainment: Downtown Disney LIVE! Presents Knyght Ryder 7:05 PM, 8:05 PM, 8:55 PM, 10:05 PM, 11:05 PM, 11:55 PM
Dining Entertainment: Jazz Kitchen Music 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Keep in mind, all times are subject to change. Once you have those details locked in, the rest of your planning becomes much easier. Longer operating hours mean greater flexibility, but they also require more stamina. Many guests choose to arrive earlier in the day and stay put, while others plan a strategic afternoon arrival to conserve energy for the night ahead. There is no wrong approach, as long as it lines up with the hours and your must-do priorities. Don’t forget to remain mindful of our warning about reentry being paused during peak capacity times.
No matter which park you choose, New Year’s Eve is all about embracing the celebration and leaning into the excitement of the moment. With the park hours & entertainment schedule in hand and a loose plan in place, you can focus less on logistics and more on soaking up the sparkle, the fireworks, and the joy of welcoming the new year in the most magical way possible.
