Tree of Life Awakenings Returns to Disney's Animal Kingdom in November 2026

The Tree of Life Awakenings will return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on November 1, 2026, just in time for the end of Daylight Saving Time. This seasonal nighttime projection show transforms the park’s iconic Tree of Life with beautiful animations and music. Performances begin after dusk and run about every 10 minutes throughout the evening.

Because Disney’s Animal Kingdom typically closes earlier than the other Disney World theme parks, the Tree of Life Awakenings is only offered seasonally, when it gets dark early enough to accommodate the show. Performances generally return in November and continue through early spring, when Daylight Saving Time begins again. Guests can also look forward to a special holiday edition of the show, which is expected to debut sometime in November. Let’s take a closer look at the details!

an Awakening scene on Tree of Life show at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life Awakenings Returns November 1, 2026

According to the Walt Disney World entertainment calendar, the first Tree of Life Awakenings performances are scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026. The show will be presented intermittently between 6:10 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. that evening.

Here is the current schedule for the first week of November:

Sunday, November 1st (6:10 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Monday, November 2nd (6:10 to 7:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 3rd (No Showings)
Wednesday, November 4th (No Showings)
Thursday, November 5th (6:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Friday, November 6th (6:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Saturday, November 7th (6:10 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

Showtimes are subject to change. Additional dates have not yet been added to the entertainment calendar.

We also noticed a performance is scheduled for Thursday, November 5th, the first night Disney’s Animal Kingdom has offered extended evening hours after nightfall since early last Spring. We are big fans of extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when the park is open after dark. If you’re eligible (Deluxe or Deluxe Villa guests), you might like to preview the November Extended Evening Hours Schedule, and we also have the December Extended Evening Hours Schedule.

As of this update, Disney has only published the Tree of Life Awakenings schedule through November 7. We recommend checking the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for exact showtimes starting November 1st and onward. Use the app’s search feature to find the show and check that day’s showtimes.

a scene with the Tree of Life Awakenings

Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition

In addition to the regular Tree of Life Awakenings, Disney has confirmed that the holiday edition will return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this November. While an exact start date has not yet been announced, Disney describes the seasonal offering as a nightly presentation featuring the park’s magnificent icon shimmering and sparkling to a heartwarming musical score.

The holiday version adds a festive touch (and colors) to the Tree of Life, giving guests another seasonal offering to enjoy during the Christmas season at Disney World. We’ll update this article when Disney confirms the official start date for the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition.

Final Thoughts

Both versions of the Tree of Life Awakenings are relatively simple to experience and offer a unique way to end a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We especially enjoy taking a little extra time to watch a couple of performances before heading toward the park’s exit. Each awakening features different animations, so it’s worth sticking around to see more than one.

If you’re visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the next couple of months, check the entertainment schedule before you go. If the park closes early, some evenings may not include a performance, as indicated above for the first week of November. (This will be especially true after the New Year.)

The Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition is just one of several seasonal offerings at the park. For more details about the decorations, entertainment, and other festivities, see our guide to Christmas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For more information on planning your day, see our guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which covers the park’s attractions, entertainment, dining, and more. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more details, and sign up for our newsletter for updates.