Walt Disney World Dates for your 2023 Diary

Now that 2023 is here, you’re probably writing in your new diary or filling in your new calendar, ready for the year ahead. Is your Walt Disney World countdown set too? A new year often makes an upcoming vacation seem real, as you can finally say you’re going on a Disney vacation this year.

But what important dates do you need to know for the upcoming year? Le’ts look at everything to plan for when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort in 2023.

January

The Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios begins on January 4, with additional dates on January 11, 18, and 25. Unfortunately, the January 4 and 11 dates are sold out, but there is still availability for the later dates in January. Check the Walt Disney World website to purchase your tickets.

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend begins on January 4 and runs through to January 8. Runners will be able to attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo and participate in the 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon. Runners may also complete the Goofy or Dopey Challenge during the weekend.

The Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom begins on January 9, with additional dates on January 16 and 23. The first event is sold out, but there are still tickets available for later dates.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins on January 13 and runs through February 20. Guests can enjoy the Disney on Broadway concert series at the American Gardens Theatre and celebrate all types of art in the Disney theme park.

February

The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is held on February 23 to 26. Runners can take part in the Disney Princess Yoga, 5k, 10k, and half marathon. The Disney Fairy Tale Challenge also takes place during the weekend.

The Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park events continue. Events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are taking place on February 15 and 22. Events at Magic Kingdom are taking place on February 16, 20 and 27.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs through February 20, and all Guests visiting the Disney Park can enjoy the celebrations of art.

March

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will begin in March. While the dates for the Festival are yet to be confirmed, the 2022 Festival began on March 2 and run through July 4. We expect that EPCOT will be in bloom during similar dates in 2023. The International Flower & Garden Festival brings brightly colored gardens, fresh flavors, and the Eat to the Garden Rocks Concert Series for Guests to experience and enjoy.

March is the final month to enjoy the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebrations. The end date is March 31, so this is an excellent month to visit if you still need to see them.

If you are a runner and wish to participate in the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, we expect that race registration will open during March this year. Check the runDisney website for all the information before completing your registration.

The Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park events continue. Disney’s Hollywood Studios events occur on March 8, 22, and 29. Events at Magic Kingdom occur on March 2, 6, 13, 16, 20, and 27.

April

The Easter celebrations will take place around the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can enjoy fun activities in their Disney Resort hotel during Easter weekend. The EPCOT Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt should also be available for Guests to have fun with in World Showcase. Mr & Mrs. Bunny will also meet Guests in Magic Kingdom around Easter. 

The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend takes place on April 13 through 16. Runners can participate in the runDisney Springtime Surprise Yoga, 5k, 10k, and 10-Miler. The runDisney Springtime Surprise Challenge is also available for runners who want to participate in more than one race.

Earth Day is celebrated in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22. The Walt Disney World Resort has been known to celebrate all things nature in the lead-up to Earth Day with limited-time snacks and beverages and fun activities to participate in.

If you are a runner hoping to participate in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January 2024, then we anticipate that race registration will open this month. Be sure to check the runDisney website for more information.

The Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues on April 2, 5, and 19.

May

In 2022, the Typhoon Lagoon H20 Glow Nights began in May. We expect them to do the same in 2023. Check back with us for more information on this ticketed event in the Disney water park.

June

Guests hoping to take part in the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be able to complete their race registration during June. 

July

July brings around the close of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival as another Festival arrives in the Disney Park. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will likely begin this month. It started on July 14, 2022, and we expect it to begin around the same date in 2023. The Food & Wine Festival brings the Eat to the Beat Concert Series to the American Gardens Theatre and food booths to World Showcase. Guests can taste delicious dishes and sample beverages from around the world. Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt also took place during the Festival last year, and we’re hoping to see it return in 2023.

August

While it may seem early, the Halloween celebrations begin in Magic Kingdom Park in August. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts in August. The first party took place in 2022 on August 12. We’ll share all the information about this year’s event as soon as it is released.

Runners wishing to participate in the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend in 2024 can expect to complete their race registration sometime in August. We’ll let you know when registration opens once confirmed by runDisney.

September

Although the Halloween celebrations have already begun in Magic Kingdom, September usually brings Fall into Magic at Disney Springs. Guests can enjoy Fall decorations around the shopping and dining district. There are also treats to enjoy and Halloween-inspired entertainment to experience.

October

EPCOT celebrated Halloween in 2022 with Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit scavenger hunt, and we’re hoping it will return in 2023. Guests staying in Disney Resort hotels will be trick-or-treated to Halloween fun on October 31. The final Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will also take place on All Hallow’s Eve. If you’re hoping to attend this event, get your tickets early, as they are guaranteed to sell out.

November

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place early on in the month, from November 2 to 5. Runners can participate in the 5k, 10k, and half marathon and Post-Race Party. This is the first runDisney race weekend of the 2023-2024 run season.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will begin shortly after the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Magic Kingdom will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland from Park close on Halloween night in preparation for the Christmas Party events. November 8 was the first Christmas Party in 2022, and we expect the first one of 2023 will also begin around that date.

The middle of November will see the end of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival in time for the Christmas season. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays generally begins around November 25, with Christmas decorations being placed soon after the Food & Wine Festival has ended. Guests can experience the Candlelight Processional, the Holiday Kitchens, and the Holiday Cookie Stroll in World Showcase during the International Festival of the Holidays. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition scavenger hunt was part of the Festival of the Holidays in 2022, and we’d love to see it return. 

November is a busy month at the Walt Disney World Resort. Expect Christmas decorations to be placed in the Disney Parks and Resort hotels throughout the month and completed by Thanksgiving. The gingerbread displays will also feature in several of the Disney Resort hotels. Time it right, and you’ll see them being created by the Disney pastry teams. The Merry Menagerie will also begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in November – you don’t want to miss it!

For more Christmas fun, enjoy the Christmas Tree Stroll in Disney Springs that will begin sometime in November.

December

All Christmas decorations will be up for December in Walt Disney World. It’s a beautiful time to visit the Disney Parks and Resorts. However, December 30 and 31 are significant dates where Guests can expect the Holiday celebrations to end in time for the New Year.

Once Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has ended, Guests of Magic Kingdom will be able to enjoy Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade through December 29. Guests of Disney Resort hotels will also be treated to special celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Fantasy in the Sky is the nighttime spectacular that brings the New Year to the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests visiting for the welcoming of 2024 will be able to enjoy the display on December 30 and 31, in Magic Kingdom Park and from the Magic Kingdom Resort hotels. New Year’s Eve will also be celebrated in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and the Disney Resort hotels.

Wow! That is a full year! Which events are you looking forward to participating in your Disney experience in 2023?