Disney World has updated its 2026 calendar and has officially revealed a shocking update about a fireworks show everyone has come to love, Happily Ever After.Credit: DisneyDisney World Fireworks Show ‘Happily Ever After’ Gets 2026 Update: Should Guests Be Concerned?There’s a pause in the air every evening at Magic Kingdom right now — a stillness above Cinderella Castle where, for weeks, no fireworks have burst, no music has swelled, and no voices have echoed the words “And they all lived happily ever after.” The holiday season has filled that silence with festive chaos instead, with Christmas projections, special effects, and a flurry of seasonal shows lighting up the sky. But now, as Walt Disney World transitions out of the holidays, fans are wondering — when will the Castle once again tell its fairytale story?The answer arrives just in time for the New Year.Credit: Victoria MillsHappily Ever After Set to Return January 1, 2026Magic Kingdom’s beloved nighttime spectacular Happily Ever After will officially return on January 1, 2026, according to the Walt Disney World entertainment schedule. The show, which combines pyrotechnics, castle projections, lasers, and music in a sweeping emotional finale to the day, will once again take center stage at 9:00 p.m. nightly.Since December 22, the show has been on hiatus to make way for special seasonal offerings like Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and the New Year’s Eve favorite, Fantasy in the Sky, which will run on December 30 and 31. After that, Happily Ever After takes back its throne as the park’s signature nightly finale.Times may adjust later in spring when Daylight Savings Time ends, but guests can count on the 9:00 p.m. start for now — a perfect endcap to a day spent riding Space Mountain and catching the last parade down Main Street, U.S.A.Credit: ITM Kelly C.A Modern Classic with Deep Emotional RootsHappily Ever After first debuted on May 12, 2017, replacing the long-running Wishes. It quickly earned cult status among parkgoers thanks to its cinematic projections, heartfelt soundtrack, and masterful blending of classic and modern Disney storytelling. The show invites guests to journey through a carousel of Disney favorites, from Aladdin to Tangled to Frozen, in a radiant celebration of courage, love, and imagination.When the show closed on September 29, 2021, to make way for Disney Enchantment during Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration, fans were heartbroken. Petitions appeared, hashtags trended — and when Happily Ever After made its highly anticipated comeback in 2023, complete with upgraded castle spotlights, the return drew literal tears from audiences packed shoulder-to-shoulder on Main Street.Now, after a brief seasonal pause, those same emotions are about to return in full force.Credit: Inside The MagicWhy This Return Means So MuchFor many longtime visitors, Happily Ever After isn’t just a fireworks show — it’s the Disney experience. It’s the soundtrack playing over a child’s first trip to the park, a couple’s engagement night, or the bittersweet goodbye at the end of a vacation. Its message — that dreams are always worth chasing — resonates even more as the calendar turns to a new year.From a business perspective, the show’s return signals Walt Disney World’s shift from holiday bookings to its regular operational rhythm. January traditionally means lower wait times, lighter crowds, and refocused entertainment offerings, giving both locals and annual passholders a chance to reclaim park nights without the premium holiday pricing.Beyond the practical, there’s a marketing magic in restoring a favorite tradition right as resolution season begins. Guests stepping into the park on January 1 will once again look up at Cinderella Castle and see a story that feels both timeless and personal — one that begins, appropriately, on the very first night of a brand-new year.Credit: Inside The MagicPlanning Your Visit for the Show’s ReturnIf you’re hoping to catch Happily Ever After when it returns:Start time: 9:00 p.m. nightly beginning January 1, 2026Location: Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom ParkTip: For the best view, stand on Main Street halfway between Casey’s Corner and the Partners statue.Crowds: Expect heavier attendance through early January as locals and holiday guests overlap.As always, showtimes can shift due to weather or park hour adjustments, so checking the official Disney World entertainment calendar before your visit is highly recommended.Because at Disney, every story — and every night — deserves a happily ever after.The post ‘Happily Ever After’ Gets Official Sendoff Update for 2026, Solidifying Future of Major Show appeared first on Inside the Magic.