Walt Disney World Annual Events Schedule

If you’re planning your travel for the year, take a look at the Annual Events at Disney World. Because, no matter when you visit there is always a special event happening. In this post we’re going to give you a quick look at them all! Because Festivals and Parties at Walt Disney World are like icing on a three-layer cake. The Disney parks are already pretty amazing no matter when you go but throw in a Disney Festival or Party and you will have a reason to return every year to reclaim the magic.

Walt Disney World is filled with annual events. From runDisney races to Epcot Festivals and Parties at Magic Kingdom, there is plenty of extra fun to be had during your Disney World Vacation. We cover every date and detail in our Disney World Events Calendar for 2025. For a quick glimpse of the things that happen every year at Disney World, check out this list. 

Annual EPCOT Festivals

The most popular Annual Events at Disney World are Epcot Festivals. And for some, the EPCOT Festivals Schedule could be a double-edged sword. Yes, you get the extra fun but you may also get the extra crowds, long lines at security, and spend more money than planned. And with four annual festivals a year, scheduled back to back EPCOT is rarely not crowded! Plus, it’s a favorite park for local Disney Annual Passholders and Disney Adults visiting Walt Disney World. However, we wouldn’t trade our festivals for anything. We LOVE them! No matter which one we visit, there is always new foods, performances, and games. Here are the 4 annual festivals at EPCOT each year. 

• Festival of the Arts: mid-January to mid-February
• Flower and Garden Festival: March through May
• Food and Wine Festival: late-August to mid-November
• Festival of Holidays: late November through December

Annual Holiday Parties

Unlike EPCOT festivals, Holiday Parties are NOT included in your park ticket they are however, still some of the best Annual Events at Disney World. This includes not only annual parties, but Disney After Hours events, and Dessert Parties too. If you’re looking for something extra special and willing to spend the extra money on a party ticket- which is above and beyond your regular park day ticket, then you’re in for a treat! Here’s what we love, and a few things we don’t, about the festivals and events that happen every year at Walt Disney World. 

• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: early August to October 31
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: November to mid-December
• Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios Park: November- December

Annual runDisney Races 

Are you an avid runner looking for reasons to visit Disney World every single year? Say hello to the runDisney Annual Events at Disney World. By far one of the most popular events at Walt Disney World, runDisney events are littered throughout the year and sell out fast. Be sure to check out the runDisney marathons for all the details on registrations, themes, and dates! 

• Walt Disney World Marathon: first weekend in January
• Princess Half Marathon: fourth weekend in February
• Springtime Surprise: second weekend in April
• Virtual Summer Marathon: June 1- August 31
• Wine and Dine Marathon: first weekend in November
• Virtual Holiday Fun Run: December 1- December 31

January 

Visiting Walt Disney World in the Winter is all about the holidays and better weather. With Christmas activities taking up most of December, you can look forward to run Disney events and the Festival of Arts events in January and February. Here’s the lineup of annual events in Winter at Walt Disney World.  

When is the best time to Visit Walt Disney World in the Winter? Considered Adventure Season, your best dates to book a Disney Vacation in the Winter are Dec 1- 14 and Jan 1- 31. These times usually see lower crowds and cheaper Disney Resort prices. 

runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon | January

January and February at Walt Disney World are mostly reserved for the runDisney Marathon. While runners the world over flood into WDW it’s only actually for a very short time. And since these don’t tend to be runners in need of a vacation at the same time they are simply attending yet another marathon, the crowd levels in the parks stay low. runDisney offers several Annual Events at Disney World every year, and the WDW marathon in January is one of the busiest. 

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts | January- February

In the winter months since Disney needed people in the parks, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuted in 2017 to great acclaim. Similar to the extremely popular EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, the Festival of the Arts showcases three kinds of art; Culinary, Performance, and Fine Art. Styles seen are diverse and eclectic and a great opportunity to see emerging artists, chefs, and performers. Which Festival at EPCOT features the Disney Broadway Series? Festival of the Arts.  This is one of the  best Annual Events at Disney World, and a great reasons to take a break in the sun during the winter months. 

When is the best time to visit the Festival of the Arts at EPCOT? The entire festival time is usually great. From the 4th week in January through the 2nd week in February, you can find lower crowds in general, especially during weekdays, and lower prices at the resorts. 

February

February sees the continuation of Festival of the Arts at Epcot, another rundisney marathon and Black History Month. Crowds tend to stay low all month with the exception of the holidays. 

runDisney Princess Half Marathon | February

The Princess Half Marathon is one of the most popular races at Walt Disney World.  That said, most of January and February have been low crowd levels for Walt Disney World. And is one of the cheapest times to visit Walt Disney World. Be sure to check out everything you need to know if you’re planning to run the runDisney Princess Half Marathon during your trip. 

Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month at Disney World means special gospel performances, snacks and reasons to explore Black History. Previous years has seen specialty art displays in the American Adventure Pavilion. And Disney Springs honors Black artists on the Art Walk. 

March

Visiting Walt Disney World for Spring is always magical, but also always crowded. The BUSIEST time of year, Spring Break brings heavy crowds in both March and April. Be sure to check out the Disney Event Calendar before you go, so you know what to expect. Spring also brings the months-long Flower and Garden Festival which is one of the Annual Events at Disney World well worth the visit. 

When is the best time to Visit Walt Disney World in the Spring? If you’re looking for the best time to visit Walt Disney World in the Spring your options are limited! Spring is very busy due to Spring Break, and school vacations. Dream Season happens May 1- Jun 10 and has average crowds and average prices across the board. If you’re considering mid-March to April you’ll be battling for space with spring breakers, high school bands, and national competitions. 

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival | March- May

If you’re heading down to Walt Disney World for Spring Break in Florida you may want to rethink the crowds. But, on the other hand, nothing beats seeing the Flower and Garden Festival! What we love about the Flower and Garden Festival is that it’s super low-key! Let’s face it, you got plants and flowers all over the place, everything is beautiful and they even throw in amazing Flower and Garden Food to sweeten the deal.

When is the best time to visit the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT?

The best time to visit the Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT is the 4th week in April to the 3rd week in May. This is considered “off-peak” and you deal with average crowds and average prices.

April

Continuing through April, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is busy most of the month. But, April also sees Easter, the Spring marathon race and Earth Month. 

runDisney Springtime Surprise Marathon | April

The third runDisney race of the year typically happens the last week in springtime!  This runDisney marathon is known as the Springtime Surprise and is promised to change the themes each year. Previously slated for Star Wars fans, this run now encompasses a variety of Pixar themes and is sure to draw more people to the parks than usual. Check out the runDisney Springtime Surprise Marathon.

Easter

While Easter at Walt Disney World doesn’t draw as many crowds as the other holidays, there is still a variety of things that show up specific to this holiday. The Egg-stravaganza at EPCOT and the larger-than-life Easter Egg decorations at select resorts happen annually. Check out what to know before you go about Easter at Walt Disney World. 

Earth Month at Animal Kingdom

Celebrate Earth Day April 22, and all month long for Earth Month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This celebration includes snacks, new merchandise, the opening of Rafiki’s Planet Watch and special events.  

May 

May at Disney World has several things happening alongside the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, but your chances of being part of them, depends on when you visit. 

Star Wars Day | May 4th

Specific to May the 4th be With You, Hollywood Studios in particular really goes all out for Star Wars Day. Complete with new snacks, and lots of reasons to be one with the force. 

Asian American Pacific Islander Month

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Month and Disney celebrates with all things Moana, and Lilo and Stitch. Plus new snacks and sometimes special meet and greets. 

Halfway to Halloween

Typically happening in May, Disney shares all the Halloween dates, events and announcements at Halfway to Halloween. This event happens for one week, and includes the return of Halloween Snacks, sneak peeks at new Halloween merchandise and all things Hocus Pocus.

June

The hottest time of year is still one of the busiest. With summer vacationers and loads of visiting travel groups, it can sometimes be the most irritating time to visit. But, if you’re bent on visiting Walt Disney World in the Summer, then know that you have extra fun at the water parks to look forward to and the end of one festival, and the beginning of another. 

When is the best time to Visit Walt Disney World in the Summer? While summers at Walt Disney World have been seeing slightly fewer crowds over the last few years due to the heat, there really is no good time to visit Walt Disney World in the summer. With summer vacations, and International tour groups Disney World stays pretty busy from the last week in May through 2nd week in August. That said, Dream Season dates for summer are May 1- Jun 10 and Aug 16- 31, meaning you would typically have a slightly lower Disney Resort cost. 

H20 Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon | June- July

That said, if we did frequently in the summer, you would find us at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. The nighttime event H20 Glow Nights happens at Typhoon Lagoon with neon decorations to light up the night, special snacks, and more! So if you’ve sprung for the Water Park ticket for your Disney World Vacation, this is your best bet for staying cool. 

Halfway to the Holidays

Celebrating the halfway mark, the Disney Halfway to the Holidays event introduces a sneak peek at new holiday merchandise and the dates for all the holiday happenings. 

July

Florida in the summer is hot. And in addition the H20 Glow Nights that continues through this month you ‘ll be able to get some extra Disney in, without even needing a park ticket. 

Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs

Head to Disney Springs for local food and flavor. Bringing out all sorts of farm fresh foods, the Flavors of Florida Event at Disney Springs honors oranges, peaches, and more. 

August

The end of summer sees the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival, and Halloween too! 

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival | August – November

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival offers an atmosphere at EPCOT  infused with cultural music and flavors. Plus there are always things to try that are non-alcoholic and amazing foods that aren’t too exotic if you have picky eaters. Visiting Disney’s Food and Wine with Kids is actually something we’d recommend especially if you could stay away from evenings and weekends. The kids can play Remy’s Hide and Squeak and earn a prize at the end of the game to take home. 

When is the best time to visit the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT?

The best time to visit the Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT is September 1- 30. This is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Walt Disney World in general, so if you’re attending the festival September is your best bet!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party | August – October

Halloween at Magic Kingdom is made all the more special with the arrival of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the fall at Walt Disney World. This gives us a little more fun, decor, and Disney Halloween Snacks to try. Plus this is the only event where you can see the Boo to You Parade. As a hard-ticketed event, you will have to pay extra for admittance to this one. But we think it’s totally worth it! Either way, nothing beats the Fall season at Walt Disney World.  Even if it is sometimes the Disney rainy season in the fall, we love the weather, the prices, the decor, and the snacks. Everything. 

World Princess Week | Last Week in August

World Princess Week at Walt Disney World honors all the Disney Princesses. This translates in the parks as new snacks, more princesses around the parks, and new princess merch collections too. 

September

The fall sees the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival fully underway.  Fall at Walt Disney World is our favorite time of year to visit and combines better weather, lower crowds and the cheaper resort rates. 

When is the best time to Visit Walt Disney World in the Fall? September. Walt Disney World is always better in September. With kids back in school the parks are simply less crowded. This is also Adventure Season for pricing, so you will find the lowest prices on your resort and tickets for vacations during September. 

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month

September is Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month which means more Encanto, and Mirabel. It also means new snacks and often new menus at Jaleo and other Mexican places around Orlando. 

October

Halloween at Walt Disney World sees the continuation of annual events at Disney World, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, offered select nights at Magic Kingdom. As well as the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival over in EPCOT Park. As the dates get closer to Halloween itself, the parks get busier and more crowded. If traveling in October, we recommend aiming for the first week of the month for decent weather, better prices and lower crowds. 

November

Visiting Walt Disney World for the Holidays is always fun. But it can also sometimes be stressful. This time of year sees pockets of crowds and higher prices, but if you time it right, you could get lucky! With the Festival of Holidays and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there’s more to be enjoyed than just the gorgeous decorations and delicious snacks. Check out everything happening for the Holidays at Disney World. 

When is the best time to Visit Walt Disney World for the Holidays? Walt Disney World during the holiday months is almost always crowded! So we’ve thrown together some tips on How to Avoid the Crowds at Disney World during the Holidays. But if you’ve already decided you’re visiting, then Dec 1-14 is the best time to visit. With lower crowds and cheaper prices, you miss the Thanksgiving crowds and arrive before the Christmas hoards descend. And if you need a few more options, the Choice Season dates, are Oct 1-Nov 26, Nov 30, and Dec 15-23. While you will still find crowds and higher rates, if you can’t make an early December visit, this is your next best bet. 

runDisney Wine and Dine Marathon | November

The last runDisney race of the year typically happens the first weekend of November. Usually combining a variety of unique themes and foods to match, this weekend is a favorite of Disney runners. While this is a slower time of year at Disney, this weekend is typically crowded, but fun. Check out the runDisney Wine and Dine Marathon. 

Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios | November- December

By far one of the most glamorous parties at Disney World for the holidays, Disney’s Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios offers special events and shows. Plus a fun Christmas show called Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam, based on the adventures of the elves on the Disney original Prep and Landing! 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party | November- December

Christmas at Magic Kingdom includes new holiday snacks, decor, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. While this party ticket is over generally over 100 bucks attending this party means you get access to exclusive party snacks, merchandise, and the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. 

December

Christmas at Disney World includes so many happenings. In addition to paid events like MVMCP and Jollywood Nights, the Festival of Holidays is included with your EPCOT ticket. 

EPCOT International Festival of Holidays | November – December

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Festival of Holidays opens at Walt Disney World in late November and runs through December every year. Bringing with it holiday storytellers, the Candlelight Processional, holiday treats, fun, games, and merchandise to get you in the mood for the season. We LOVE this festival and it’s a great way to visit early and kick off the season. It is the most beautiful time of year to visit, simply because of your ability to see the decorations, experience the holidays through the lens of different cultures, and enjoy some lovely mild not found at other locations around the country.

When is the best time to visit the Festival of Holidays at EPCOT?

The best time to visit the Festival of Holidays at Walt Disney World in EPCOT is early December. Aiming for Dec 1- 14 may mean you miss out on a few late-to-the-show booths or decorations not totally up yet, but you will be so grateful for the lower crowds that it will make up for it! Also, be aware that on days when the Candlelight Processional is hosted by a super popular celebrity (like Neil Patrick Harris), the crowds will be much much worse. 

A Year of Annual Events at Disney World

No matter when you visit there are festivals, parties, and special events every month at Walt Disney World. Check out the Best Time to Visit Disney World for a snapshot of what takes place each month at Disney World. As you can see, there is always something going on at Walt Disney World and chances are while you may not necessarily go for a festival, you’re sure to enjoy one while you are there. Check out all our posts on the festivals, parties, and holidays at Walt Disney World. And if you have any favorite festivals or events at Disney World chime in and let us know!