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Festivals. Concerts. Food. (That's our personal fave!) It seems like there's always one occasion or another to visit. Events are some of the biggest reasons to visit the Walt Disney World Resort! While some of Disney World's special events fall during what was once considered more "off-peak" times in spring and fall, others hoppen during very busy times. Many of the Disney World events have become so popular that they bring more people to the parks! Here is the full schedule of Disney World events in 2019 and 2020 to help you plan your visit.
For those of you who have already picked your dates, this post also serves as a guide of what will be hoppening while you're there. You'll find all of the Disney World events on our Crowd Calendar. You can also see crowd levels and park recommendations on the days events are taking place.
We update this post throughout the year as new event details are released and dates are added. Be sure to bookmark this page if you've got a trip coming up!
Guide to Disney World Events in 2019 and 2020
January - February
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — Jan. 8-12, 2020
The Walt Disney World Marathon 2020 Weekend will feature Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, Dopey Challenge, runDisney Kids Races, Walt Disney World 5K & 10K, Walt Disney World Half Marathon and the headlining race, the Walt Disney World Marathon. The runDisney Health & Fitness Expo will take place, Jan. 8-11. The courses of the longer races take runners through all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
Disney races are some of the Disney World events in 2020 that will bring in heavy crowds. Crowd levels are usually affected by the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend since the event brings in thousands and thousands of runners and spectators each year. Traffic around the resort is also affected by the Walt Disney World Marathon. When visiting during this special event, expect travel time between the Disney parks to take longer. Registration opened on April 16, 2019 (the 5K and 10K races have already sold out). We have a separate post on what to expect at the Disney World Marathon if you want to start planning.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts — Jan. 17 - Feb. 24, 2020
This new-ish Epcot festival (it debuted in 2017) has quickly become one of our favorite Epcot events! The festival celebrates visual, performing and culinary arts. There are usually gallery exhibits, living statues, artist appearances and much more that take place during the festival. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series inside the America Gardens Theatre have nightly performances!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts is typically included with admission to the park, but there are separately-ticketed events within the festival. Here is our full guide to Epcot International Festival of the Arts if you're planning a trip during this time next year!
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend — Feb. 20-23, 2020
Inspired by the Disney Princesses, this event is designed with women in mind. Weekend events will include the Disney Princess 5K, Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, Disney Fairy Tale Challenge and the headlining event, the Disney Princess Half Marathon. The half marathon takes runners through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Traffic around the parks is typically affected by this race every year. Registration opened June 4, 2019, and the 5K and 10K races have already sold out.
March - May
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival — March 4 - June 1, 2020
The second festival in the lineup of the annual Epcot events, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival blossoms each spring. This event features more than 100 topiaries spread throughout the park. There are an abundance of food offerings at the outdoor kitchens scattered around World Showcase to enjoy while admiring the character topiaries. Popular kitchens include the locally grown Florida Fresh, Japan's Hanami, the Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews and Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market featuring organic samplings with a German and Bavarian flare.
Guests can also delight in the hundreds of butterfly species residing at the festival's screened butterfly house. In 2019, the festival concerts took place at America Gardens Theater every night during the event. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included with regular admission to Epcot. This is one of the most colorful and popular Disney World events!
Check out the sights and sounds of Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival below!
Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon Weekend — Apr. 16-19, 2020
Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon 2020 Weekend features iconic rivalries from "Star Wars." Weekend events included the Star Wars 5K, Star Wars 10K, Star Wars Rival Run Challenge and the runDisney Kids Races, as well as the headlining half marathon. Registration opens July 16, 2019, at 10 a.m. EST. Start perfecting your powers of the force along with your running training!
June - August
Disney After Hours - Select nights from Aug. 2019 until March 2020
On select nights, guests can stay after park closing in this separately-ticketed event to experience Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom after dark. Your event ticket includes admission to the park beginning at 7 p.m., though the events themselves begin a few hours later. Ice cream, popcorn and select beverages are also included in the cost of admission.
Disney Villains After Hours (Magic Kingdom) — Select nights from June 6 - Aug. 8, 2019
Disney Villains took over Magic Kingdom during this uniquely-themed After Hours event this summer. Guests had exclusive access to the park for three hours after normal park operations. A brand-new stage show, Villains Unite the Night, premiered in front of Cinderella Castle, and Maleficent the Dragon made special appearances throughout the evening.
H2O Glow Nights (Typhoon Lagoon) — Select nights from May 30 - Aug. 24, 2019
Disney's summer beach party returned to Typhoon Lagoon Water Park this summer. This 3-hour evening event made a splashy debut in 2018, and the Toy Story Pals once again hosted it in celebration of Toy Story 4. Guests splashed away the night without long lines for all of the hit waterslides.
August - November
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Magic Kingdom) — Select nights from Aug. 16 - Nov. 1, 2019
One of the most popular Disney World events is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It takes place at Magic Kingdom on select nights each fall. The party's biggest highlights are watching Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks and Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. The party features trick-or-treating in the park and Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes. The party is not included with regular admission to Magic Kingdom and requires a separate ticket. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance since these parties do sell out. Purchase your tickets from your favorite frogs! If you're thinking about going, check out our guide to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival — Aug. 29 - Nov. 23, 2019
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival takes place every fall as one of the most popular Epcot events. If you're looking for Disney World events in 2019 with plenty of food and drink, this is one of them! The festival features more than 25 international marketplace kiosks, which offer tapas-sized portions of regional specialties, as well as recommended wine and beer pairings. Guests can also spend time sharpening their culinary and beverage skills in seminars. There are also opportunities to partake in special dining experiences with celebrity chefs for an additional charge. This a major event, and we recommend using our Epcot Food & Wine Festival guide to help you make the most of it.
Eat to the Beat! Concert Series is included with admission to the park. The concerts feature many acclaimed artists. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is included with regular theme park admission.
Get a taste of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival with our Sights & Sounds video below.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend — Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2019
The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend combines the magic of a runDisney race with the festivities of the Food & Wine Festival. Races include the Disney Fall Feast 5K, Kids Races and the Half Marathon. The half marathon takes place at nighttime! You can find more event and registration details on the runDisney site.
November - December
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) — Select nights from Nov. 8 - Dec. 22, 2019
One of our favorite Disney World events, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event held on select nights each winter at Magic Kingdom. The party runs from 7 p.m. until midnight. The big highlights from this event are Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Holiday Wishes fireworks, Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration Castle Stage Show and magical snowfall over Main Street, U.S.A.
There are also plenty of opportunities to meet your favorite Disney characters, some of whom are decked out in their holiday finest. Cookies and hot cocoa are included with admission to this separately-ticketed event. It is recommended you purchase tickets in advance; it is common for nights to sell out. Get your party ticket, and check out our guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
While Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separate event, there are still many festive holiday Disney World events in 2019. Each one brings merriment with the right touch of Disney. Let our complete guide to Disney World holiday events be your holiday planner.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Candlelight Processional (Epcot) — Nov. 29 - Dec. 30, 2019
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Candlelight Processional takes place each winter in Epcot's World Showcase. Storytellers from many of the countries, such as Father Christmas at the United Kingdom pavilion, recount holiday customs from their respective countries. Guests can also have their picture made with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the American Adventure Pavilion.
The Candlelight Processional is performed three times nightly. The show tells the story of Christmas with a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Candlelight Processional is included with regular admission to Epcot. We have tips on all of these festivities in our full guide.
Holiday Celebrations (Animal Kingdom) — Nov. 8 to Dec. 2019
This year, Animal Kingdom is ringing in the festive season with holiday decorations and entertainment in every land from Africa to Pandora. Discovery Island will feature life-size puppets of winter animals such as reindeer, penguins and polar bears that will interact with guests, accompanied by serenading musicians. In Asia, the theatre district will be decorated in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights in India.
Sunset Season's Greetings (Disney's Hollywood Studios) — Nov. to Dec. 2019
Debuting in 2017, Sunset Season's Greetings lights up Tinseltown as snow falls. Sunset Boulevard twinkles as favorite faces come to life. Look above as the billboards begin to move into motion and tell a tale — brought to you by iconic characters sharing their love for the season. Look down to see the Hollywood Tower Hotel come to "light" as it tells the stories of these characters.
Holidays at Disney Springs — Nov. to Dec. 2019
Holidays at Disney Springs is a special event that replaced Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney (the previous name for the entertainment area). It offers live entertainment, festive decor and fun photo ops. You also have the opportunity to meet Santa at a new location across from Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. There are holiday carolers, Toy Soldier stilt walkers and street performers. Dance the night away at a holiday dance party.
Holiday decorations include the Disney Springs' Christmas Trail, a trail of trees decorated and themed as Disney characters. Disney Springs Marketplace transforms into a winter wonderland with snowfall, toy soldiers and more. Holidays at Disney Springs is a free Disney World event in 2019.
We hope you found this list Disney World events in 2019 and 2020 hopful as you plan your visit. By now you've realized that the parties, festivals and events are some of the best reasons to visit! If you are looking for more tips, check out the When to Visit Orlando page on our Orlando Planning Timeline!
Related: Complete Guide to Disney World Holiday Events
Hoppy planning!
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