Current Special Events

November 8 – December 20, 2024: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. This year, the event is taking place on select nights from from November 8th to December 20th! Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of festive fun only available at the Party!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features special shows like Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration! Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is another merry highlight of the Party (complete with Santa Claus and the famous Marching Band of Toy Soldiers), as is the Holiday Fireworks spectacular: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! Guests can also get their holiday groove on at dance parties like Club Tinsel and Disney Junior Jingle Jam.

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are on sale NOW!

Check out EVERYTHING You Need to Know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE!

November 9 – December 21, 2024: Disney Jollywood Nights

A new holiday event made its debut in 2023 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Disney Jollywood Nights… and it is BACK FOR 2024! Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event taking place on thirteen select nights from November 9th through December 21st, 2024.

As part of the event, guests can view the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime fireworks and projections spectacular, enjoy exclusive treats, meet rare characters, and more!

Click HERE for all of the info you need for Disney Jollywood Nights!

November 12, 2024: The Holiday Season Officially Kicked Off

November 12th OFFICIALLY heralds in the start of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in Disney World! The Holiday Season delivers beloved classic experiences and NEW festivities to the Disney World theme parks this year!

Holiday experiences making their debut this year include a Meet and Greet with SANTA in Animal Kingdom and THREE new festive performing acts in Hollywood Studios. These join standing traditions like the Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom, Sunset Seasons Greetings at Hollywood Studios and so much more!

Explore the NEW Holiday experiences coming to Disney World HERE!

November 29 – December 30, 2024: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The EPCOT International Festival of Holidays is an opportunity for park guests to experience holiday traditions from around the world. It’s honestly such a cool, unique experience — it’s basically like Food and Wine Festival, holiday edition! — and it includes special events, music, and cuisine presented in food booths that are called “Holiday Kitchens” during the season. The event begins the day after Thanksgiving — so this year, it started on November 29th — and runs through December 30th.

The Festival also features one of the most visually beautiful and meaningful events of the Disney World holiday season: The EPCOT Candelight Processional! This event is the retelling of the Christmas story by celebrity narrators who are accompanied by a choir, orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty. Standby lines are available to view each performance, but a Candlelight Processional dining package is also available with guaranteed seating for specific performances.

Click HERE for the full scoop on The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!

December 2024

December 17, 2024: Island Tower Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

NEW Polynesian DVC Villas — which Disney calls Island Tower — have been built on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, offering waterfront views. And, the Villas officially opened on December 17th, 2024! You can check out four unique features at the Tower here. 

As for dining options at Island Tower, the Wailulu Bar & Grill offers “breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park.”

This is a casual walk-up pool bar and grill, and features an all-day menu for lunch and dinner. There are also specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries available for breakfast.

STEP INSIDE Polynesian Resort’s Island Tower HERE!

December 21st, 2024: Additional Christmas Offerings Kick Off at Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is filled with festive floats and beloved characters dressed in their holiday best. It even ends with Santa Clause himself riding in his sleigh, making it a true Christmas celebration! This parade is one of the many special offerings available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a special ticketed event at Magic Kingdom. HOWEVER…

From December 21st through December 31st, 2024, daytime guests visiting the park can catch this exclusive parade at 12PM and 3PM!

Additionally, from December 21st through December 29th, 2024, all Magic Kingdom guests can see ANOTHER special show that’s typically only presented during the Party: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! Catch it at 8PM nightly during those dates.

December 31st, 2024: New Year’s Celebrations at Disney World

Are you ready to ring in the New Year in Disney World?

Disney World Theme Park Hours for December 31st

Here is the list of Park Hours from December 31st, 2024:

• EPCOT — 9AM to 1AM
• Magic Kingdom — 9AM to Midnight
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom — 8AM – 6PM
• Hollywood Studios — 9AM to Midnight

Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve

The Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks will be shown at both 6:30PM and 11:50PM, leading into a countdown to the New Year!

In fact, it can be seen on TWO nights: December 30th AND December 31st at two times each day, 6:30PM and 11:50PM.

See pics and VIDEO of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Magic Kingdom HERE!

EPCOT New Year’s Eve

Then, the Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration Countdown Fireworks will be presented on December 31st, starting a few minutes prior to midnight (at 11:54, to be exact) with the grand finale kicking off right as the clock strikes 12!

Hollywood Studios New Year’s Eve

Hollywood Studios will the Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular at 9:30PM.

Guests may also enjoy a countdown moment to welcome the New Year!

Looking for the Must-Know Disney World Dates for 2025? Click HERE!

Is it just us, or does 2024 sound like an awesome Disney World year? As always, we’ll definitely keep you posted as more events and dates are announced! In the meantime, keep these dates marked off so you’re well-prepared for your 2024 vacation.