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Orlando Trip Planner
Orlando Holiday Events

Orlando Trip Planner

Orlando Holiday
Events Guide

Orlando celebrates every holiday of the year in spectacular fashion. From Fourth of July fireworks to EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival — here's everything happening beyond Halloween and Christmas.

Browse Events

8+

Major Holiday Events

365

Days of Celebrations

5

Theme Park Resorts

12

Months of Magic

8 events

All Holiday Events

Every major Orlando holiday event across all four seasons — sorted chronologically through the year.

New Year's Eve Celebrations
Winter
All ages

All Major Parks

December 31

New Year's Eve Celebrations

Ring in the New Year in style at Orlando's theme parks. Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld all host spectacular midnight countdowns with fireworks, live entertainment, and special food and drink menus. Magic Kingdom's fireworks show over Cinderella Castle is one of the most iconic New Year's Eve experiences in the world.

  • Magic Kingdom midnight fireworks over Cinderella Castle
  • Universal's New Year's Eve concert and countdown
  • SeaWorld's midnight fireworks spectacular
  • Special holiday menus and themed cocktails park-wide
  • Extended park hours through midnight and beyond
  • Live entertainment and DJ sets throughout the evening
Pro tip: Buy tickets well in advance — New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year. Arrive early to secure a good fireworks viewing spot.
Universal's Mardi Gras
Winter
All ages

Universal Studios Florida

Late Jan – Apr (included with admission)

Universal's Mardi Gras

Universal's Mardi Gras is one of the most underrated events in Orlando — and it's included with regular park admission. Enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole food from New Orleans chefs, catch beads from elaborate parade floats, and watch free nightly concerts from major recording artists on the Music Plaza Stage.

  • Nightly parade with elaborate floats and bead throwing
  • Free concerts from major recording artists
  • Authentic New Orleans cuisine from guest chefs
  • Included with regular park admission
  • French Quarter Courtyard with live jazz and food
  • Runs for several months — easy to fit into any trip
Pro tip: Check the concert lineup before you book — Universal announces headliners in advance and some nights draw much bigger crowds than others.
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Spring
All ages

EPCOT — Walt Disney World

Late Feb – Late May (included with admission)

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival transforms the park into a stunning botanical showcase with over 100 topiaries, millions of blooms, and outdoor kitchens serving fresh spring-inspired dishes. The Garden Rocks concert series brings live music to the America Gardens Theatre every weekend — all included with park admission.

  • Over 100 character topiaries throughout the park
  • Millions of flowers and plants on display
  • Outdoor Kitchen food booths with spring menus
  • Garden Rocks weekend concert series
  • Butterfly garden and pollinator habitats
  • Included with regular park admission
Pro tip: The outdoor kitchens are the real highlight — budget extra time (and appetite) to graze through the food booths in World Showcase.
Spring Break at the Parks
Spring
All ages, especially families

All Major Parks

Mid-Mar – Mid-Apr

Spring Break at the Parks

Spring Break is one of the busiest times of year in Orlando — but also one of the most electric. Parks roll out special entertainment, extended hours, and seasonal offerings to match the energy. Water parks hit their stride, and the warm Florida weather makes it ideal for full park days.

  • Extended park hours across all major parks
  • Special spring entertainment and character experiences
  • Water parks fully operational
  • Flower & Garden Festival overlaps at EPCOT
  • Universal's Mardi Gras often overlaps
  • Lively atmosphere with peak-season energy
Pro tip: Spring Break is peak crowd season. Use the Genie+ or Lightning Lane systems at Disney and Express Pass at Universal to manage wait times.
Memorial Day Weekend
Summer
All ages

All Major Parks & Water Parks

Memorial Day Weekend (late May)

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off Orlando's summer season with a bang. Water parks like Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Aquatica open to full capacity, parks extend their hours, and the summer entertainment calendar launches. It's the unofficial start of the busiest stretch of the Orlando theme park year.

  • Water parks at full summer capacity
  • Extended evening hours at major parks
  • Summer entertainment lineups launch
  • Patriotic-themed food and merchandise
  • Disney After Hours and special ticketed events begin
  • Great weather for full park days
Pro tip: Water parks sell out on Memorial Day weekend — buy tickets in advance. Arrive at rope drop to claim a good spot before the crowds arrive.
Fourth of July at Orlando Parks
Summer
All ages

All Major Parks

July 4th (and surrounding days)

Fourth of July at Orlando Parks

The Fourth of July in Orlando is a full-blown celebration. Magic Kingdom hosts one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the country — Celebrate America! — with patriotic music and a sky-filling pyrotechnic display over Cinderella Castle. Universal and SeaWorld also put on impressive Independence Day fireworks and entertainment.

  • Magic Kingdom's Celebrate America! fireworks spectacular
  • Patriotic entertainment and live music park-wide
  • Universal's Fourth of July fireworks show
  • SeaWorld's Independence Day celebration
  • Special themed food and drinks at all parks
  • Extended park hours on July 4th
Pro tip: Magic Kingdom on July 4th is one of the most crowded days of the entire year. Consider watching the fireworks from the Contemporary Resort's rooftop or the Polynesian beach for a less crowded experience.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Fall
Adults & families

EPCOT — Walt Disney World

Late Aug – Mid-Nov (included with admission)

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival is the crown jewel of Orlando's fall event calendar — and one of the best food events in the country. Over 30 global marketplaces serve small-plate dishes and drinks from around the world, the Eat to the Beat concert series runs nightly, and special culinary demonstrations and seminars are available throughout the season.

  • 30+ global marketplace food and drink booths
  • Eat to the Beat nightly concert series
  • Celebrity chef demonstrations and seminars
  • Special Food & Wine merchandise and collectibles
  • Runs for nearly three months
  • Included with regular park admission
Pro tip: Pace yourself — with 30+ food booths, it's easy to overdo it. Download the EPCOT Food & Wine app to plan your must-try dishes before you arrive.
Thanksgiving at the Parks
Fall
All ages

All Major Parks

Thanksgiving Week (late Nov)

Thanksgiving at the Parks

Thanksgiving week is one of the most popular times to visit Orlando — and for good reason. The holiday season is just kicking off, Christmas decorations are going up at every park, and the weather is perfect. Disney and Universal both offer special Thanksgiving dining experiences, and the parks are buzzing with festive energy.

  • Special Thanksgiving dining menus at resort restaurants
  • Christmas decorations and events beginning park-wide
  • Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off
  • Universal's Mardi Gras and Holiday events overlap
  • EPCOT Food & Wine Festival final days
  • Ideal weather — warm days, cool evenings
Pro tip: Thanksgiving Day itself is extremely crowded. If possible, visit the parks the Monday–Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a much better experience.

Don't Miss

Our Full Holiday Guides

Halloween in Orlando

Mickey's Not-So-Scary, Horror Nights & more

Christmas in Orlando

Mickey's Very Merry, Grinchmas & more

Pack Right for Every Season

Florida weather changes throughout the year. Our packing list covers every season so you're always prepared — whether it's July 4th heat or a cool New Year's Eve night.

View Packing List

Need a Custom Holiday Itinerary?

Starting at $29.99, we'll build a personalized day-by-day plan around whichever Orlando holiday events fit your travel dates — matched to your family's ages, budget, and trip length.

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