A Year of Walt Disney World Events By Month

A Year of Walt Disney World Events By Month

If you’re planning your travel for the year, take a look at the Disney World Events in 2024. 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.

Annual Events at Walt Disney World

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 Events Calendar 2024 post. And be sure to check out our Best Time to Visit Disney World post for your best chance at a great vacation. For a quick glimpse of the things that happen every year at Disney World, check out this list. To scroll through posts for each event, be sure to check out our Disney Festivals and Parties page. 

Disney Food and wine Festival EPCOT disney World

Disney Festivals at EPCOT Park

For some, the festivals and events at EPCOT Walt Disney World 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. If you’re heading to Disney World for a festival, check out our Disney Festival Schedule and Planning post for details on dates, and planning tips. 

Scarecrows at Magic Kingdom Disney Fall Halloween

Disney Parties at Magic Kingdom

Unlike EPCOT festivals, Magic Kingdom Events are NOT included in your park ticket. 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. Maybe one of these Magic Kingdom special events will fit the kind of vacation you’re looking for.

runDisney summer virtual series

runDisney Events at Walt 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 2024 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

Walt Disney World Events by Season

We’ve added major holidays and plans we already know in our Disney World Calendar of Events in 2023 and in our Disney World Calendar of Events in 2024. But we’re going to dig a little deeper into these festivals and parties that happen every year. In the hopes that as you choose your best time to visit Disney World you’ll get the extra fun, no matter which month you visit!

Festival of the Arts What's New at Disney

Winter at Walt Disney World

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.  

January | runDisney Marathon

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.

January – February | EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

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. As one of the many Disney Educational Activities in Walt Disney World, this festival, in particular, makes a great Disney Homeschool Lesson if you’re bringing the kids. 

February | runDisney Princess Half Marathon

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. 

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. 

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. 

Spring at Walt Disney World

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! Well worth the visit. 

April | runDisney Springtime Surprise Marathon

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.

March or April | 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. 

March-July | EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

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.

Stop by the gift shops at the front of the World Showcase to grab the instructions/ map and make your way around the world. Flower and Garden is one of the longest-running traditional Epcot festivals and the horticulturalists take on the huge task of keeping everything looking amazing and fresh through the almost three-month run.

We also love that it’s super easy to do Flower and Garden with Kids! While Epcot’s other more notable festival, Food, and Wine, can sometimes be challenging with little ones or strollers Flower and Garden is the opposite. There’s no racing to the next beer cart or stumbling into the Rose and Crown here. Everything at this festival is leisurely, it truly feels like you’re on vacation, and it’s a great time to be at Walt Disney World before the summer heat hits.

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. 

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.

Summer Splash Zone at Magic Kingdom Fantasyland

Summer at Walt Disney World

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. 

June – July | EPCOT Summer Concert Series

We’ll be honest the only time we ever visited Walt Disney World during the summer was for the Toy Story Land opening. Mainly because we had it on good authority from a native Floridian who pretty much said, “Disney in the Summer? Are you kidding? We don’t go outside in the summer!” If you do like heat and humidity in the high 90s with a heat index of over 100, then more power to you. EPCOT does have a Summer Concert Series to lure you into the parks which runs every night during the hotter months. And it is probably a lovely event with a cold drink in hand on any summer evening.

June – August | H20 Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon

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. 

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. 

Fall at Walt Disney World

Fall at Walt Disney World

Ahhh, the magic that can happen when it’s autumn. Fall at Walt Disney World is our favorite time of year to visit and combines better weather, lower crowds cheaper resort rates. Fall also sees the arrival of annual parties, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Festival, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, and runDisney’s Wine and Dine Marathon. 

July – November | EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival 

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. Attending this festival has become a tradition for us so we compiled some Food and Wine Festival Tips & Tricks that will hopefully help you navigate the festival!

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

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. 

November | runDisney Wine and Dine Marathon

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

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. 

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! Learn how to plan for a Disney Festival Vacation

Gingerbread Cookie at Hollywood Studios

Holidays at Walt Disney World

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. 

November – December | EPCOT International Festival of Holidays 

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.

November – December | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

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. 

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. 

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. So double-check your dates on the celebrity narrator schedule page.

Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Events By Month

No matter when you visit there are festivals, parties, and special events every month at Walt Disney World. Here’s a quick snapshot of what takes place each month at Disney World. 

January

  • New Years Holiday
  • runDisney Marathon
  • EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
  • Martin Luther King Weekend

February

  • runDisney Princess Half Marathon
  • EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
  • NFL Pro Bowl Week
  • Valentine’s Day Holiday
  • Mardi Gras Week

March 

  • Spring Break 
  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Easter

April

  • Spring Break
  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • runDisney Springtime Surprise
  • Earth Month at Animal Kingdom
  • Dapper Day at Walt Disney World

May

  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • May the 4th Be With You
  • Cinco de Mayo Holiday
  • Mother’s Day
  • Memorial Day Weekend

June

  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Father’s Day Holiday
  • H20 Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon
  • Summer Vacation

July

  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Independence Day Holiday
  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

August

  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
  • World Princess Week
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

September

  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
  • Labor Day Weekend Holiday
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

October

  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Halloween Holiday

November

  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
  • Thanksgiving Holiday
  • EPCOT International Festival of Holidays

December

  • EPCOT International Festival of Holidays
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
  • Christmas Holiday
  • New Year’s Eve Holiday

A Year of Events 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!

Walt Disney World Festivals and Parties for the full year include EPCOT festivals, Magic Kingdom Parties and other events throughout the year you can look forward to each year! #disneyfestivals #disneyparties #polkadotpixies

 

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

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.


Related Posts

What’s New at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024?

What’s New at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024?

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World is all about new treats, Disney Villains, ride overlays, the Boo to You Parade, and more! We’re looking forward to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2024 and wanted to do a fresh roundup […]

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024 Menus

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024 Menus

The Disney Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2024 Menus arrive every year with the promise of new flavors, new food experiences, and drinks galore! With 25 Outdoor Kitchens and additional specialty items, bring your appetite. There is so much food to be had! We’ve got […]



Comments are closed.