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Events, live shows, and seasonal celebrations at Disney World Orlando

Disney World Orlando’s events offer a blend of celebration, creativity, and joy that transforms a regular park day into an immersive experience. Each event is meticulously curated to highlight beloved characters, themed decor, and seasonal specialities. Explore the events, shows, and festivals that take place throughout the year that make every visit to Disney World Orlando feel extraordinary.

Why attend the events at Disney World Orlando

Lego sculptures of Beauty and the Beast at Disney Orlando.
Pinocchio figure on parade float at Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando.
Main Street at Walt Disney World, Orlando, with Cinderella Castle in the background.
Christmas parade float with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Orlando.
Guests smiling in front of a giant guitar statue at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando.
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Enjoy a fairy-tale experience

Disney events blend storytelling with immersive visuals and themed attractions that transport you into fairy-tale adventures. The stories encourage active participation, making every moment feel personal and unforgettable.

Experience the classic Disney magic

Each festival is designed with a strong sense of nostalgia and surprise, combining timeless Disney magic with modern twists. Experience exclusive parades, character interactions, and more.

Themed, curated experiences with a lot of festive spirit

The attention to detail in decorations, music, and food enriches the overall experience, making every event feel unique. Discover curated surprises and special effects that elevate the standard park visit into a celebration.

Enjoy season’s greetings, every season, with your favorite Disney characters

Seasonal events ensure that every celebration resonates with the time of year, bringing elements of fall, winter, or summer through themed experiences, lively music, and vibrant costumes that capture the spirit of the season perfectly.

Engaging experiences suitable for all ages

A careful blend of technology and artistry produces interactive experiences that invite you to engage directly with exhibits and live shows, making sure that people of all ages can find something special to enjoy.

Live shows and performances at Disney World Orlando

Kids hugging Lion King characters at Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando.

From Broadway-style musicals to comedy and live stunt action, the shows at Walt Disney World add a whole new layer of storytelling to every park. These performances give you a chance to slow down, escape the heat, and experience Disney magic through music, movement, and larger-than-life characters. Whether you’re singing along with beloved classics, watching daring stunts unfold, or enjoying interactive fun with the whole family, each show brings familiar stories to life in unforgettable ways. It’s a must-do part of the Disney experience.

Popular shows include:

  • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fare, Magic Kingdom 
  • The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, Disney’s Hollywood Studios 
  • Indiana JonesTM Epic Stunt Spectacular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Disney’s Hollywood Studios 
  • Festival of the Lion King, Disney’s Animal Kingdom 
  • Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, Disney’s Hollywood Studios 
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Magic Kingdom
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Magic Kingdom

Frequency: Multiple times a day
Duration: 15-30 minutes
Included with theme park admission: Yes

Fireworks and nighttime spectaculars at Disney World Orlando

Mickey battling a dragon during a live show at Disneyland Park, California.

As night falls, Disney World Orlando’s theme parks transform into a display of light, music, and emotion through their iconic fireworks and nighttime spectaculars. These shows blend soundtracks, pyrotechnics, projection mapping, and special effects to create powerful finales to your park day. Each performance tells a story, celebrating dreams, friendship, and adventure, while lighting up the skies above some of Disney’s most famous landmarks.

Popular shows include:

  • Happily Ever After, Magic Kingdom
  • Luminous The Symphony of Us, EPCOT
  • Fantasmic!, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Frequency: Daily
Duration: 15-30 minutes
Included with theme park admission: Yes

Disney After Hours

Guests enjoying Disney Jollywood Nights at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando.

Disney’s After Hours events offer a more relaxed, exclusive way to experience the parks once the crowds thin and the lights glow a little brighter. With limited attendance, you can enjoy significantly shorter wait times, cooler evening temperatures, and a laid-back atmosphere that feels extra magical. Select attractions remain open late into the night, along with specialty snacks and drinks.

  • Locations: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
  • Frequency: Select dates throughout the year
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Included with theme park admission: No

Seasonal festivities at Disney World Orlando

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Step into a spooktacular evening at Magic Kingdom, where playful frights and festive fun await guests of all ages. Dressed in your favorite costume, you can trick-or-treat across the park, enjoy eerie entertainment, and dance with beloved characters in Halloween attire. The shimmering “Boo-to-You” parade and haunting fireworks light up the night with magical chills and thrills. With seasonal surprises around every corner, this event turns Halloween into a truly unforgettable celebration.

  • Location: Magic Kingdom
  • Dates: Select dates from August to October 31
  • Timings: 7pm to midnight
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Included with theme park admission: No
Learn more about Disney World Halloween here

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Magic Kingdom transforms into a winter wonderland at this joyous holiday celebration, complete with snow on Main Street, U.S.A. Delight in classic holiday treats, cheerful character encounters, and unforgettable live shows that spread merriment throughout the park. The iconic “Very Merry” fireworks and shimmering parade featuring Santa Claus himself add the final touch to the festivities.

  • Location: Magic Kingdom
  • Dates: Select dates from November to the end of December
  • Timings: 7pm to midnight
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Included with theme park admission: No

New Year’s Eve Happenings

Ring in the New Year with celebrations across Walt Disney World’s parks. Take in the fireworks and spirited entertainment, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. Each park offers its own flair, from elevated parties and countdowns to live music and late-night fun, so you can choose your perfect way to welcome the new year. Magical moments light up the sky as guests toast to new beginnings under glittering fireworks.

  • Location: Across Walt Disney World Orlando
  • Dates: December 31 
  • Timings: Till midnight
  • Duration: All day
  • Included with theme park admission: Yes

EPCOT's seasonal festivals

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

EPCOT becomes a canvas of creativity during the International Festival of the Arts, celebrating visual, culinary, and performing arts from around the globe. Stroll through colorful displays, watch artists at work, and participate in interactive experiences that bring imagination to life. Gourmet dining and artistically inspired dishes add a flavorful twist to the festival atmosphere. With live performances and striking installations throughout the park, this event is a feast for all the senses.

  • Location: EPCOT
  • Dates: January 16 to February 23, 2026
  • Timings: Theme park hours
  • Duration: All day
  • Included with theme park admission: Yes

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Each spring, EPCOT bursts into bloom for the International Flower & Garden Festival, where blossoms, topiaries, and color the entire theme park. Wander through themed outdoor kitchens serving fresh, seasonal flavors while admiring character displays. Educational exhibits, floral displays, and interactive gardens invite you to explore nature’s beauty up close.

  • Location: EPCOT
  • Dates: March 4 to June 1, 2026
  • Timings: Theme park hours
  • Duration: All day
  • Included with theme park admission: Yes

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

A must-visit for all food lovers, EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival turns the park into a global culinary adventure. Sample food from around the world with artisanal drinks from dozens of international marketplaces set among the world’s pavilions. Demonstrations, seminars, and live music create a lively festival vibe that celebrates flavor in every form.

  • Location: EPCOT
  • Dates: August to November
  • Timings: Theme park hours
  • Duration: All day
  • Included with theme park admission: Yes

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Celebrate heartwarming traditions from around the world at EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, where seasonal joy fills every corner. Savor comforting holiday classics at themed kitchens and join in festive entertainment that honors global customs. The beloved Candlelight Processional adds a moving musical retelling of the holiday story, complete with celebrity narrators and a full orchestra.

  • Location: EPCOT
  • Dates: November to the end of December
  • Timings: Theme park hours
  • Duration: All day
  • Included with theme park admission: Yes

Things to know about attending events at Disney World Orlando 

  • Separate tickets may be required: Many special events, such as holiday parties and After Hours events, require a separate ticket and are not included with regular park admission, even if you already have a day ticket.
  • Event dates and schedules vary each year: Seasonal events and festivals do not run year-round, and showtimes or offerings can change by date, so checking the entertainment schedule closer to your visit is essential.
  • Arrive early for popular shows: Live performances and nighttime spectaculars often reach capacity, and arriving 30 minutes early can make the difference between a great view and standing room only.
  • Weather can affect outdoor entertainment: Florida weather, especially rain or lightning, may delay, modify, or cancel outdoor shows, parades, and fireworks with little notice.
  • Festival entertainment is spread across EPCOT: At EPCOT festivals, performances, food booths, and displays are located throughout World Showcase and World Celebration, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.
  • Fireworks viewing areas fill up quickly: Prime viewing spots for nighttime spectaculars are claimed early, particularly during holidays and weekends, and some areas may be reserved for dining or dessert packages.
  • Some shows run on limited schedules: Not all live shows operate every day, and some may have only a few performances daily, making advance planning important.
  • Strollers and large bags may be restricted: Certain shows and event venues have limited space or require strollers to be parked outside, which can affect families with young children.
  • Costumes have specific rules: During Halloween events, costumes are allowed for guests of all ages, but masks, props, and long capes are restricted for safety and security reasons.
  • Events can impact regular park hours: On certain event nights, parks may close earlier to daytime guests, so it’s important to check closing times before planning your day.

Frequently asked questions about Disney World Orlando events and shows

No, park reservation is not usually required for separately ticketed events, but you must have a valid event ticket to enter once the party begins.

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