Photos: Diwali Festival of Lights in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Written by Joshua Posted December 24th, 2024

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one beautiful theme park. It’s even more stunning during the holidays, thanks to the Merry Menagerie, Discovery Island’s luminaries, and Asia’s Diwali decorations. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It celebrates light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

While Animal Kingdom’s Diwali lights look fantastic any time of the day, they come alive at night. Since the park closes so early, you’ll have to make it a point to take in these decorations after dark. We enjoyed them during Extended Evening Hours last month, and again during a Moonlight Magic party the next time. Absent those opportunities, you should be able to see the lights by hanging out in India as the park is closing. Then take your time enjoying one of Walt Disney World’s most beautiful scenes.

Click or tap any image for a larger view.