In recent years, the amount of special events, celebrations, and festivals at Walt Disney World has ballooned considerably, to the point that it can sometimes be hard to keep track of everything. You might fear that you will end up visiting during the worst times of the year. And there are quite a few times that could be labeled as “the worst.”
But fear not! We’re hear to help. We’ve gathered together the dates — or projected dates — and important info on every major Walt Disney World event coming up in 2023 and beyond.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 4 to 8, 2023
The 2023 edition of Walt Disney World’s annual marathon took place from January 4th through 8th — the first weekend following New Year’s Day. Disney has announced that the 2024 marathon will be January 3rd through 7th, and you can read more about the race themes here.
Disney After Hours: January 4th to April 19th, 2023
Disney After Hours are special, separately ticketed events at some of Walt Disney World’s theme parks, which allow guests to remain in the parks three hours after they’re scheduled to close. Tickets to these events include access to attractions with shorter wait times than during the normal operating day, as well as complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: January 13th to February 20th, 2023
While not the best known of EPCOT’s festivals, the International Festival of the Arts has gained a dedicated and growing fanbase in recent years. The 2023 version of the event was widely praised, and has set the stage for the Festival of the Arts to contain growing in popularity in the future.
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 23rd to February 26th, 2023
One of runDisney’s best loved events, the 2023 Disney Princess Half Marathon marked the event’s 15th anniversary. Disney described the event as one which led “by example as we celebrate both our athletes and the people who lift them up.”
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: March 1st to July 5th, 2023
Arguably EPCOT’s second most famous festival, Flower & Garden features stunning topiary displays and exhibits, as well as a food selection that some would argue matches or even surpasses even Food & Wine.
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: April 13th to April 16th, 2023
The 2023 Springtime Surprise weekend featured themed courses, “inspired by some of your favorite Pixar Pals, including Disney Pixar Cars 5K, Disney Pixar Monsters 10K and the Disney Pixar Toy Story 10-Miler.”
Disney H2O Glow After Hours: May to September 2023
The H20 Glow events are three hour, after hours events held at Typhoon Lagoon water park on select dates from May through September. The event includes the park’s attractions lit with special lighting, reduced capacity leading to smaller lines, a DJ dance party, Disney characters, and food and snacks included with admission.
Fourth of July Celebration: Early July 2023
Disney’s Independence Day celebrations are always patriotic affairs, with attractions, foods, and even special characters appearances. And, of course, massive amounts of fireworks. Normally, these events start on July 1st and culminate on July 4th.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival: July 27th to November 18th, 2023
Food & Wine is to EPCOT festivals what the Rose Bowl is to college football, the “Grandaddy of them All!” The 2023 edition will mark the 29th edition of the festival, and is described by Disney as “a cornucopia of cultures, cuisines and innovative cooking techniques from chefs worldwide. This food aficionado’s paradise is replete with delicious dishes, fine wine, craft beer, spirits and other beverages sure to satisfy every palate.”
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Mid-August to Oct. 31, 2023
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held in Magic Kingdom on select nights between August 11th and November 1st, 2023. You can see the full schedule here. The Halloween Party will, as always, feature costume, trick-or-treating, Halloween treats, special stage shows, Disney characters, and decorations throughout the park.
Debut of Moana Journey of Water at Epcot: Late 2023
Journey of Water is an upcoming walkthrough attraction scheduled to open at EPCOT later this year. Disney describes it as giving guests the ability to “Stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality—just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.”
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: November 2nd to 5th, 2023
Disney describes this whimsical runDisney weekend as one which “serves up ‘courses’ celebrating favorite moments found around the dinner (or tea) table and a Post-Race Party with global cuisine. The Alice in Wonderland-themed 5K takes runners through the kookiest tea party around, while runners can answer the (dinner) Belle at our Be Our Guest-themed 10K. Grab a seat at la mesa Madrigal and channel Luisa’s strength to tackle our Encanto-themed half marathon, or take a journey into imagination and finish the 10K and Half Marathon on pace to complete the Disney Two Course Challenge and earn Figment’s topsy-turvy kitchen medal.”
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: November through December
Much like the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there aren’t confirmed dates for the Christmas Paryt, bur we can extrapolate the approximate range of dates based on previous years. Also, as always, the event will likely include Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, photos with Disney characters in their Christmas best, holiday treats, rides and attractions with short lines, and most magically: snow on main street.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: Late November through December
While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party gets the majority of the press, EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays is just as wonderful a holiday celebration. The World Showcase features decorations from each of the countries represented, and of course there’s the legendary Candlelight Processional, which has been a staple of Disney theme parks during the holiday season for well over 50 years.
Holiday Celebrations: November and December
Beyond the specific events discussed above, Walt Disney World in general is full of magic during the holiday season, with decorations and holiday cheer spreading across the resort. We would in-particular recommend checking out the awesome mid-century American decorations that are used up and down Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards at the Hollywood Studios theme park.
Splash Mountain reopens as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Late 2024
Arguably the most anticipated upcoming event at Walt Disney World is the 2024 Reopening of Splash Mountain reminded as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The new attraction is described by Disney as picking up after the conclusion of the film and allowing guests to “join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.”
Disney 100 Years of Wonder Celebration: 2023 – 2024
All of the aforementioned events will be under the umbrella of Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder Celebration, which is overall described by Disney as:
“Celebrate the timeless Disney stories and characters that have captured our hearts for the past 100 years! Come relive your Disney memories—and join us as we honor this monumental milestone and look to a future filled with magic.”
That’s our look at all of the upcoming special events at Walt Disney World. Keep following All Ears for the latest Disney news!
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Which of these upcoming Walt Disney World events are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.
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