2026 Walt Disney World Resort Festivals and Events

2026 is shaping up to be a year for you to plan a Walt Disney World Resort vacation that’s timed around their fan-favorite festivals. The food, art and floral celebrations return with familiar standouts, plus plenty of seasonal after-hours events, giving you solid reasons to include a longer stay to fully experience The Most Magical Place on Earth!
Image of a rose shaped dessert served at EPCOT.
Image of a rose shaped dessert served at EPCOT.

Visit curated “artist” Food Studios for Instagramable bites!

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: January 16 through February 23, 2026
Start the year with color: EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts celebrates visual, performing and culinary creativity across the park with interactive galleries, live artists painting murals, the Disney on Broadway concert series and curated “artist” Food Studios that serve up Instagram-ready bites. This is a festival that’s ideal for couples and foodies who want striking photo ops while avoiding the summer humidity and crowds.  
Image of a topiary of Princess Tiana with hanging lights.
Image of a topiary of Princess Tiana with hanging lights.

View Disney Character topiaries such as Princess Tiana during your visit.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: March 4 through June 1, 2026
Spring at EPCOT means topiaries, specialty gardens, seasonal outdoor kitchens and family experiences like butterfly houses and garden scavenger hunts. This festival is a perfect choice for travelers who prefer mild weather and floral displays over peak-season crowds. Elaborate Disney character topiaries and immersive garden exhibits make wandering the EPCOT’s World Showcase especially photogenic.  
Image of fish on beans with a cream sauce in a bowl.
Image of fish on beans with a cream sauce in a bowl.

Enjoy a variety of culinary bites from around the globe.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival:  Late August to November
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has dozens of Global Marketplaces which showcase culinary bites and drinks from around the globe. Culinary demos, beverage-pairing seminars and seasonal merchandise also take center stage at this highly popular annual festival. Do as I did for the 2025 event and plan to pace yourself for an all day eating extravaganza! Pro Tip: Plan for weekday afternoon visits to dodge the longest lines.
Image of carolers singing at EPCOT for the Candlelight Processional.
Image of carolers singing at EPCOT for the Candlelight Processional.

Seasonal Candlelight processional at EPCOT.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: Late November to December
Winter at EPCOT is always a treat with their Festival of the Holidays. This festival wraps EPCOT in seasonal storytellers, Holiday Kitchens (comfort food from nations around World Showcase) and special entertainment honoring festive traditions. 
Image of guest looking at Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.
Image of guest looking at Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.

View Spaceship Earth at EPCOT during your visit for a memorial picture.

Special night beyond EPCOT: Magic Kingdom's seasonal ticketed events
Don’t forget Magic Kingdom’s headline evening events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (select nights in mid-August through late-October) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (select nights from early-November through mid-December). These after-hours parties sell out early and offer parades, treat trails, themed shows and exponentially shorter wait times for popular rides.

Whether you’re hunting for tulips and topiaries, indulging in art-driven bites with Broadway flair, or planning ahead to graze your way through global dishes and holiday treats - Walt Disney World’s 2026 festival slate offers plenty of reasons to visit!
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About the Author: The above piece was written by Jason Gordon.