Guests planning an EPCOT visit this holiday season will want to note a schedule change. During the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the park will close a bit earlier than usual, and that shift moves a few of the evening’s popular experiences up as well. Here is a clear look at the updated hours and what it means for Candlelight Processional and Luminous: The Symphony of Us.
Earlier Closing Time During the Festival
For the duration of the festival, EPCOT will close at 9 p.m. rather than the usual 9:30 p.m. That is a 30-minute change, and while it may seem small, it has a ripple effect on the evening entertainment lineup.
The park’s opening time holds steady at 9 a.m. Guests staying at a Disney hotel can still take advantage of early entry, which begins at 8:30 a.m. So the change is limited to the back end of the day rather than the start.
New Candlelight Processional Showtimes
The earlier closing time means Candlelight Processional performances have moved up as well. This year, the show will take place at 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. each day.
That is a 15-minute shift compared to last year. In 2025, the three daily performances ran at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. If you are planning your day around a specific showtime or a dining package, it is worth adjusting your expectations to the new schedule.
Luminous: The Symphony of Us Moves Up
The nighttime spectacular is also affected by the change. Luminous: The Symphony of Us will now perform at 9:15 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m.
With the park closing at 9 p.m., the show runs closer to the end of the operating day. Guests who want to catch Luminous should plan their evening with that earlier start in mind, especially if they are lining up a viewing spot around World Showcase Lagoon.
When the Festival Runs
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays takes place from November 27 through December 30, 2026. The adjusted hours and showtimes apply throughout that window.
This year’s Candlelight Processional also features a lineup of celebrity narrators, which many guests plan their visits around. Between the festival’s food offerings, holiday entertainment, and the narrated show, the schedule fills up quickly across those weeks.
Conclusion
The earlier 9 p.m. closing time during the 2026 Festival of the Holidays reshapes the evening at EPCOT, moving Candlelight Processional to 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m., and shifting Luminous to 9:15 p.m.
With the festival running from November 27 through December 30, a little planning around these new times will help you make the most of your holiday visit. Check the official schedule before your trip so you can build your day around the shows you most want to see.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
