Nighttime spectaculars are a special part of a day at Disney Parks. Magic Kingdom has the popular Festival of Fantasy Parade during the day and Happily Ever After fireworks show each night. There hasn't been a Magic Kingdom nighttime parade, though, for many years. That's going to change in 2025!

Disney Starlight: New Magic Kingdom Nighttime Parade in 2025

When does the Magic Kingdom nighttime parade start?

The Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade will step off in the summer of 2025. Disney summer can start as early as May. We often see summer Disney offerings kick off around Memorial Day weekend but it varies every year. We will share the opening date when it's announced.

Is the Disney Starlight parade only for summer 2025?

Based on what Disney World has done in the past, we can guess that Disney Starlight will launch in 2025 but stick around permanently or at least for many years. Disney World parades and shows typically stay for much longer than we see at Disneyland in California or at other parks. There are temporary offerings that pop up but for a big investment like this, it makes sense to keep it around because it will probably be a big draw. For reference, the day time Festival of Fantasy Parade debuted over ten years ago. It still has daily showings though it has less performers since it was brought back after the pandemic.

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What characters are in the Disney Starlight parade?

So far we know the Disney Starlight parade is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy from the animated film Pinocchio. Other characters in the Disney Starlight parade include Peter Pan and Wendy, Elsa in her Frozen 2 dress and Mirabel, Isabela and Bruno from Encanto on a float together.

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Magic Kingdom Night Parade FAQs

Does Disney have a nightly parade?

Disney World does not currently have a nightly parade. It's been many years since Main Street U.S.A. has been lit up at night by floats with characters. There hasn't been a Magic Kingdom nighttime parade since 2016! The park has simply gone without one.

When was the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disney World?

Though the parade had been a tradition at Disneyland, a Disney World version of the Main Street Electrical Parade ran at Magic Kingdom from June 11, 1977 through September 14, 1991.

The Main Street Electrical Parade returned to Magic Kingdom as part of the Summer Nightastic! event starting June 5, 2010. The parade ran nightly until October 9, 2016 when it retired at this park to go to Disneyland. It has been there since though Disneyland has other parades it rotates between.

When was Spectromagic at Disney World?

If you're a child of the 1990s you may have fond memories of another Magic Kingdom night parade. The SpectroMagic parade ran at Magic Kingdom from October 1, 1991 to May 22, 1999. It returned in 2001 and ran through 2010.

Is the Paint the Night parade coming to Disney World?

When The Main Street Electrical Parade went to Disneyland, it seemed obvious Magic Kingdom would get their nighttime parade. At the time it was Paint the Night. This didn't end up happening and we can assume it won't since Magic Kingdom is getting the all new Disney Starlight parade.

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