Visiting Walt Disney World in 2024 is a whole lot easier when you know what to expect. Therefore, we’re sharing this Walt Disney World Calendar of Events for 2024 to help you get prepared. From disney festivals, to crowds to events to openings of new attractions, there are tons of things that could affect your Disney World Vacation in 2024. And since Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation in 2024 is even more complicated, it’s important to choose the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World. So, we’ve pulled together this calendar of events, holidays, Epcot festivals, parties, runDisney marathons and everything we could think of that may or may not affect your upcoming Disney Vacation.
Need the Disney World Event Calendar Schedule for 2024, so you can plan your vacation? Never fear! We’ve rounded up all the Disney special events. Including the Epcot Festivals in 2024, Magic Kingdom Parties in 2024, and 2024 runDisney Events to help you plan. From the Disney Festival Schedule 2024, to any other WDW events in 2024 you can think of, we’re tracking them all here.
When Should You Visit Walt Disney World in 2024?
There are pros and cons no matter when you visit Walt Disney World! While many people have a job and school schedules to consider, a crowded summer at Disney World may be your only option. Or maybe you’re just interested in visiting during a certain disney festival, party, or holiday. Check out our Year of Festivals and Events at Walt Disney World for what’s happening each month in the parks. Know that some times are better to visit than others. And we’ll break it all down for you, so you can choose the best times to visit Walt Disney World this year.
Sports Team Events at Walt Disney World 2024
As part of the Disney World event calendar 2024 we do include championships, cheerleading competitions, and national events. As ESPN Wide World of Sports typically hosts these events each year, you can plan for them, or around them. And as a result you can often expect to find teams, groups, and families in many of the Disney Resorts throughout these events. While this may not affect your vacation personally, know that often these groups are large, and do add to the crowd levels.
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What is the BEST TIME to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024?
The months of January and September are the best times to visit Walt Disney World, but each has holidays you’ll want to avoid. These months offer lower resort prices and lower crowds alongside worthwhile experiences, like the Festival of the Arts and Halloween at Walt Disney World. Remember weekends and holidays are more crowded regardless of when you visit. Once you get a glimpse of the dates in this Walt Disney World 2024 Calendar, you’ll understand why we HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting during these times of the year at Walt Disney World.
Here are the LOWEST CROWD TIMES for 2024 and the events happening during those times. Here are the date ranges for historically low crowd times throughout the year at Walt Disney World. Note: AVOID Weekends, runDisney Marathons, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. For a COMPLETE write-up, check out our Best Times to Visit Disney World post. In that post, we break down the best days, weeks, and months to visit. Based on overall crowds and prices. And which parks to visit on which days, no matter when your vacation is planned.
- January 3-12| Festival of the Arts, runDisney Marathon
- January 22- February 8 | Festival of the Arts
- May 1-10 | Flower and Garden Festival
- August 12-31 | MNSSHP, Food and Wine Festival
- September 1- 30 | MNSSHP, Food and Wine Festival
- November 1-15 | Food and Wine Festival, Veterans Day
- December 1-13 | Festival of Holidays
What is the WORST TIME to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024?
The months of March and April during Spring Break are some of the worst months to visit Walt Disney World. Overall, holidays are typically crowded and expensive. Once you get a glimpse of the dates in this Walt Disney World 2024 Calendar, you’ll understand why we highly recommend AVOIDING these times of the year at Walt Disney World. If you can help it. The combination of weather, crowds, events, and holiday drama can compromise the best-planned Disney Vacation. Check the Disney 5-Day Calendar for everything that is happening throughout your vacation.
Here are the HIGHEST CROWD TIMES for 2024 and the events happening during those times. Remember weekends, and holidays are more crowded regardless.
- January 1-2, 13-17 | New Year’s, Martin Luther King Weekend
- February 16-20 | President’s Day Weekend
- March | Spring Break/ Easter
- April | Spring Break/Easter
- May 25- 28 | Memorial Day Weekend
- July | Fourth of July, H20 Glow Nights
- October 11-15 | Columbus Day Weekend
- November 22-30 | Thanksgiving Week
- December 14-31 | Christmas Break and New Year’s Eve
Disney Festivals 2024
You’ll note that throughout this Disney World Event Calendar 2024, we have includeed the Disney Festival Schedule 2024. Happening throughout the year, back to back, you will most likely be visiting during one of the Epcot Festivals in Disney World. As such, along with the Disney Special Events that happen throughout the year, like Disney After Hours events, you’ll have even more options of things to do during your visit. The festivals in Disney World 2024 include the Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2024, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2024, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival 2024, and the Festival of Holidays 2024. Be sure to check out our Disney Festival Schedule 2024 page for updated posts on all the Disney special events.
- January 12 – February 19, 2024: Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot
- March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
- July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
- November 29- December 25, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Disney Special Events 2024 Parties
While there are plenty of Disney festivals and Disney special events in 2024, the main ones are the parties at Magic Kingom. Offered annually, these Magic Kingdom events ring in Halloween and Christmas. If you’re visiting during the fall or winter at Disney World, you can check out these special ticketed events in 2024 at Disney World. Dates are TENTATIVE.
- August 9 – October 31, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
- November 6- December 20, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
Disney World Event Calendar 2024
We’ve broken down the Disney World 2024 Events by month so that you can see which dates and events are happening. Which holidays fall into the mix and special events that may affect your vacation? Getting a handle on what will be happening while you’re on vacation, can help you plan better. Let’s dive in. Note: Events labeled TENTATIVE have not yet been officially announced. Date ranges are based on annual historical data. As soon as Official Dates from Walt Disney World are confirmed this post will be updated. Here’s everything to look forward on the Disney Event Calendar 2024.
JANUARY 2024
January at Walt Disney World brings the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon and the Festival of the Arts at EPCOT Park. Plus, you can look forward to special after-hours events and much better weather in Florida. While there are still some visiting events that happen, crowd-wise, January is one of the lowest crowd months at Walt Disney World.
January 1-3, 2024: Holiday Activities
January 1, 2024: New Year’s Day
January 3-7, 2024: runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
January 9, 2024: Return of the Disney Dining Plan, ALL-DAY Park Hopping Returns, and Park Pass Reservations No Longer Required.
January 10 to April 10, 2024: Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios Select Nights 9:30 pm- 12:30 am
January 11 to April 8, 2024: Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Select Nights 10:00 pm- 1:00 am
January 12 – February 19, 2024: Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot
January 12 – 14, 2024: College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships
January 13-17, 2024: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend ( January 15, 2024)
January 15, 2024: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 25, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at EPCOT
FEBRUARY 2024
February at Walt Disney World can sometimes see crowds, with championships and events throughout the month. As such, for your best months to visit on the Disney Event Calendar 2024, we still recommend visiting the Festival of the Arts. and you can count on seeing loads of runners if you’re visiting during the last part of the month, which features the very popular runDisney Princess Half-Marathon.
January 12 – February 19, 2024: Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot
January 10 to April 10, 2024: Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios Select Nights 9:30 pm- 12:30 am
January 11 to April 8, 2024: Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Select Nights 10:00 pm- 1:00 am
February 2 through April 4, 2024: Disney After Hours at EPCOT Select Nights 10:00 pm to 1:00 am
February 9- February 13, 2024: NFL Pro Bowl Week (NFL Pro Bowl is February 11, 2024)
February 2-4, 2024: National Dance Team Championship
February 9-12, 2024: National High School Cheerleading Championship
February 11, 2024: Super Bowl Sunday
February 11-15, 2024: Valentine’s Day ( February 14, 2024)
February 14, 2024: Valentine’s Day
February 16-20, 2024: President’s Day Weekend ( February 19, 2024)
February 19, 2024: President’s Day
February 16-19, 2024: Twirlmania International Championships
February 11-17, 2024: Mardi Gras Week
February 13, 2024: Fat Tuesday
February 14, 2024: Ash Wednesday
February 22-25, 2024: runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
February 27, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom
MARCH 2024
Walt Disney World welcomes springtime with the Flower and Garden Festival. March at Walt Disney World tends to get rather busy with a slew of visiting championship teams and activities all month. As always if you’re visiting this month, we recommend avoiding the holiday weekends. We even have recommendations on the Best Resort for Spring Break for Families, to help you stay away from the chaos. Take note of the activities and holidays happening in March.
Easter Events at Walt Disney World
New Ahsoka Adventures at Star Tours Hollywood Studios
January 10 to April 10, 2024: Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios Select Nights 9:30 pm- 12:30 am
January 11 to April 8, 2024: Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Select Nights 10:00 pm- 1:00 am
February 2 through April 4, 2024: Disney After Hours at EPCOT Select Nights 10:00 pm to 1:00 am
March 1, 2024: Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt at EPCOT
March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
March 1-April 6, 2024: Spring Break from most high schools and colleges
March 2-4, 2024: TENTATIVE Contest of Champions Nationals
March 10-11, 2024: TENTATIVE International All-Star Cheerleading Championship
March 17, 2024: St. Patrick’s Day
March 21, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at EPCOT
March 22- 25, 2024: TENTATIVE Disney Dreamers Academy Annual Trip
March 29, 2024: Good Friday
March 31: Easter Sunday
APRIL 2024
Often the busiest month of the year at Walt Disney World, April brings high costs, high resort prices, and loads of crowds. A variety of activities, plus the Flower and Garden Festival, and a slew of visiting championship teams typically fill the month. Making this one of the busiest months on the Disney Event Calendar 2024. Make the most of April at Walt Disney World by taking breaks when it gets too hot, and aiming for early weekdays to stay out of the crowds. And if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to check out our Flower and Garden Festival with Kids post for extra fun things this month!
Earth Month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
January 10 to April 10, 2024: Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios Select Nights 9:30 pm- 12:30 am
January 11 to April 8, 2024: Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Select Nights 10:00 pm- 1:00 am
February 2 through April 4, 2024: Disney After Hours at EPCOT Select Nights 10:00 pm to 1:00 am
March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
March 1-April 6, 2024: Spring Break from most high schools and colleges
April 16-22, 2024: Earth Week Activities at Animal Kingdom
April 18- April 21, 2024: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
April 22, 2024: Earth Day
April 23, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at Animal Kingdom
April 25- 28, 2024: TENTATIVE Halfway to Halloween
April 24- 26, 2024: ICU Cheerleading World Championship
April 26-29, 2024: USASF The Cheerleading Worlds
April 26-29, 2024: TENTATIVE The Summit-Varsity All-Stars Cheerleading and Dance Championship
April 28-29, 2024: TENTATIVE Dapper Day at Walt Disney World
MAY 2024
The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival still goes strong through May, and we often see the early part of the month emptier. With Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother’s Day, New Snacks at Walt Disney World arrive in fun themes for each. If visiting this month your best bet for a Disney Vacation on a Budget is to book early and then be on the lookout for discounts on the Disney Special Offers you can later add to your trip. This is an expensive month to visit.
March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
May 1, 2024: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 35th Anniversary
May 4, 2024: Star Wars Day. May the Fourth Be with You!
May 5, 2024: Cinco De Mayo
May 12, 2024: Mother’s Day
May 24-28, 2024: Memorial Day Weekend ( May 27, 2024)
May 27, 2024: Memorial Day
May 19 – September 1, 2024: TENTATIVE Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
JUNE 2024
Summer in Florida is typically unbearable. But, if you’re bent on Summer at Walt Disney World, go prepared with water bottles, ponchos, and loads of sunscreen. This month sees the ticketed event H20 Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon, as well as select After Hours events. And as it’s Pride Month, you can expect all sorts of Pride Snacks, and new merchandise in the parks this month as well. Be sure to check out our Best Disney Resorts for Summer, for the best places to stay this time of year.
March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
May 19 – September 1, 2024: TENTATIVE Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
May 29-June 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Gay Days Orlando
June 1, 2024: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 35th Anniversary
June 1-3, 2024: TENTATIVE One Magical Weekend at Walt Disney World
June 4, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at Typhoon Lagoon
June 9, 2024: Donald Duck’s 90th Birthday
June 16, 2024: Father’s Day
June 1, 2024- August 31, 2024: runDisney Virtual Series
JULY 2024
July is HOT. So be ready to Take Breaks at Walt Disney World as needed, as you’ll need respite from the heat. July sees the end of the Flower and Garden Festival and the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival. July also sees an homage to all things Florida with loads of new Orange-focused menu items and snacks across the parks and Disney Springs.
March 1- July 3, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
May 19 – September 1, 2024: TENTATIVE Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
July 3-9, 2024: Fourth of July Weekend ( July 4, 2024)
July 1- August 12, 2024: TENTATIVE Flavors of Florida Event at Disney Springs
July 4, 2024: Independence Day
July 11, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at Typhoon Lagoon
July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
AUGUST 2024
August brings the biggest time of year at Walt Disney World, Halloween! While it’s a bit early to celebrate Halloween at Walt Disney World, that doesn’t stop the parks from getting up the fall decorations typically the 2nd week of the month. Just in time for the early dates of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Disney’s Princess Week also happens in August. And typically, there are LOW crowds by the third week of this month.
May 19 – September 1, 2024: TENTATIVE Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
August 18-27, 2024: TENTATIVE Department of Defense Warrior Games
August 18-24, 2024: TENTATIVE World Princess Week
August 27, 2024: Disney Vacation Club DVC Moonlight Magic at Hollywood Studios
August 9 – October 31, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
SEPTEMBER 2024
September is all about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, New Halloween Snacks, and the Food and Wine Festival. With so much to do, it’s important to know where to stay! And since September is one of the Cheapest Months to Visit Walt Disney World, you can often have your pick on the best resorts. Be sure to Check out our Best Disney World Resorts for Halloween, so you can be close to the action, no matter your plans!
July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
August 9 – October 31, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
August 30- September 3, 2024: Labor Day Weekend ( September 2, 2024)
September 2, 2024: Labor Day
OCTOBER 2024
October sees loads of Halloween crowds. no doubt all at the park for the Boo to You Parade! But you can also find loads of fall decorations, Halloween decorations, and New Disney Halloween Snacks in the parks. As fall is our absolute favorite time to visit, there is no shortage of things to be done. Of the fall months though, know that October is the most expensive and most crowded. Check out our 5 Things to Do at Walt Disney World for Fall.
July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
August 9 – October 31, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
October 3, 2024: Rosh Hashanah
October 12, 2024: Yom Kippur
October 11-15, 2024: Columbus Day Weekend ( October 14, 2024)
October 14, 2024: Columbus Day
October 31, 2024: Halloween
October 31- November 3, 2024: runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
NOVEMBER 2024
Late Fall at Walt Disney World usually sees the completion of projects., and the Food and Wine Festival wraps up. Plus Christmas Decorations begin to arrive by the third week in November. Right after Thanksgiving the EPCOT Festival of Holidays begins. This festival combines loads of holiday traditions and foods, along with the Candlelight Processional. November also marks the beginning of the Christmas Party, be sure to check out our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Guide for all the details.
July 25 – November 16, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
November 5, 2024: Election Day
Disney Holiday (Christmas) Activities Begin
November 6- December 20, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
November 4-10, 2024: TENTATIVE “Jersey Week”
November 8-12, 2024: Veterans Day Weekend ( November 11, 2024)
November 11, 2024: Veterans Day
November 24-30, 2024: Thanksgiving Week ( November 28, 2024)
November 28- December 1, 2024: TENTATIVE ESPN Events Invitational
November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving
November 29- December 25, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
DECEMBER 2024
While Florida seems hot all the time, December and January can prove a little chilly. As such we recommend checking out our Disney Packing Tips for Winter post so you can go prepared. With magic in the air and loads of Christmas decorations, the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, there are lots of reasons to celebrate the season. Christmas at Walt Disney World also brings Gingerbread Displays, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and even Christmas at Animal Kingdom, complete with animal marionettes.
November 6- December 20, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
November 29- December 25, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
December 1- 31, 2024: runDisney Virtual 12Ks of Christmas
December 2-6, 2024: TENTATIVE Pop Warner Week
December 18-31, 2024: Christmas Weeks
December 25, 2024: Christmas
December 31, 2024-January 1, 2025: New Year’s Celebrations
Walt Disney World Vacation Planning 2024
Planning a Disney Vacation can get complicated. Thankfully, we’ve done a round-up of all the information you need. If you’re ready to dive in, we have tips on how to plan a Disney Vacation and everything you need to know about Walt Disney World Parks. Grab our Disney Checklists so you know what to see, do, and eat in all four parks.
Walt Disney World Resorts in 2024
If you’ve used this Disney Event Calendar 2024 to figure out your best time to visit Walt Disney World, you’re half way there! Now it’s time to pick where to stay at Disney World. Because, where you stay during your Walt Disney World Vacation can make all the difference. From transportation options to crowds and quiet, to amenities. Here is a quick list of the Disney World Resort Tiers to consider when booking your vacation.
Disney World Resort Tiers
- Disney Value Resorts: Bus transportation. Pop Century and Art of Animation also have Skyliner transportation.
- Disney Moderate Resorts: Bus Transportation. Caribbean Beach Resort also has Skyliner transportation.
- Disney Deluxe Resorts. Bus transportation. Some offer monorail, ferry, and Skyliner transportation.
Disney World Resort Areas
- Disney Boardwalk Resorts: Within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
- Disney Monorail Resorts: Within walking distance of Magic Kingdom.
- Disney Ferry Boat Resorts: Ferry boat resorts are located near EPCOT and Magic Kingdom
- Disney Skyliner Resorts: Includes Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Orlando Resorts Near Walt Disney World
And if you’re visiting Orlando to tackle more than just Walt Disney World you may want to stay off-property. As such, be sure to check out Disney World VRBO Vacation Rentals, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor for the best Hotels near Disney World.
- Hotels within Walking Distance of Disney Springs
- Marriott Bonvoy Hotels Near Disney World
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Resort Review
- Walt Disney World Swan A Disney Resort Review
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Disney Resort Review
- Hotels Within Walking Distance of Disney World Parks
runDisney Events 2025
- January 8-12, 2025: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
- February 20-24, 2025: Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
- April 3-6, 2025: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
WALT DISNEY WORLD 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
From our point of view, you can never be too prepared for a Disney Vacation. This Walt Disney World 2024 Calendar is updated throughout the year to make sure you’re informed! From keeping track of the Disney festivals 2024 to all the Magic Kingdom Events in 2024, we’;; be sharing it here. No matter when you visit, hopefully, this Disney world calendar of events has given you an idea of what to expect during your vacation dates. Got questions? Let us know. Happy vacationing.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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