Festivals & Annual Events in Lake Buena Vista, FL (2026)

Looking for the festivals & annual events near you in Lake Buena Vista? Here are 7 festivals and annual events worth the trip, starting with Disney Jollywood Nights and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with what each one does best and how to get there.

7 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Disney Jollywood Nights

Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed holiday evening at Disney's Hollywood Studios with a Hollywood-glamour theme, character meetups, holiday shows and an ice-skating performance. No day ticket is needed, and kids 3 to 9 get a small discount.
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Nightlife
Website for Disney Jollywood Nights (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney Jollywood Nights (opens maps)
2
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed evening party at Magic Kingdom where guests of all ages can come in costume and trick-or-treat around the park.
- Halloween
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Kids
Website for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (opens in a new tab)Directions to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (opens maps)
3
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Event, $$$$
A separately ticketed holiday night at Magic Kingdom with a Christmas parade, a holiday fireworks show and falling 'snow' on Main Street.
- Christmas
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Kids
Website for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (opens in a new tab)Directions to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (opens maps)
4
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Event, $$$
EPCOT's winter festival centers on visual, culinary and performing arts, from Broadway-style concerts to live chalk artists and a mural guests help paint. It is included with EPCOT admission.
- Festival
- Art festival
- Food festival
- Theme park
Website for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (opens maps)
5
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Event, $$$
EPCOT dresses World Showcase for the season with holiday food kiosks and storytellers who share traditions from each country.
- Christmas
- Festival
- Theme park
- Ticketed
Website for EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (opens maps)
6
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Event, $$$
Each spring EPCOT fills with themed gardens and topiaries shaped like Disney characters, along with festival food kiosks and a nightly concert series.
- Festival
- Food festival
- Spring
- Theme park
Website for EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (opens maps)
7
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Event, $$$
EPCOT's biggest festival sets up dozens of small-plate marketplace booths around World Showcase, each serving dishes and drinks inspired by different cuisines.
- Food festival
- Festival
- Fall
- Theme park
Website for EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (opens in a new tab)Directions to EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (opens maps)

Orlando's festival calendar by season

Winter and spring are the busiest festival months. The ZORA! Festival peaks in late January, the Central Florida Fair arrives in late February or early March, and the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival takes the third weekend of March. April brings the Florida Film Festival and the Winter Park Paint Out, and Orlando Fringe runs for about two weeks in May. Summer is quieter, with July 4 fireworks at Lake Eola and in Winter Park. Fall picks back up with Come Out With Pride in October, Fiesta in the Park and the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival in November, then a run of holiday events into January.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 7 festivals and annual events in Lake Buena Vista.

Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$$ range, with a handful at $$$$.

About Lake Buena Vista

Lake Buena Vista in southwest Orange County is home to Walt Disney World's resorts and Disney Springs, along with nearby hotels and restaurants.

Frequently asked questions

What are the biggest festivals in Lake Buena Vista?

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival draws more than 250,000 visitors each March, and the Central Florida Fair runs about 11 days in late winter. Come Out With Pride, Orlando Fringe and the Florida Film Festival are other major annual events.

What festivals are in Lake Buena Vista in the spring?

Spring brings the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in March, the Florida Film Festival and Winter Park Paint Out in April, and Orlando Fringe in May. Fiesta in the Park also holds a spring weekend around Lake Eola. Check each official page for this year's dates.

Are there free festivals in Lake Buena Vista?

Yes. Come Out With Pride, the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Winter on the Avenue and the Winter Park 4th of July Celebration are free. Orlando Fringe has a free outdoor stage and Kids Fringe, and the ZORA! Festival is free on Friday with kids free all weekend.

When is the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival?

The festival is held on the third weekend of March each year in Central Park and along Park Avenue. It runs Friday through Sunday, with a headline concert on Friday evening.

When is Lake Buena Vista Pride?

Come Out With Pride Orlando is held on a Saturday in October at Lake Eola Park, with a festival during the day, a downtown parade in the late afternoon and fireworks at night. Check the official page for this year's date.