From East to West: Exciting, Returning Festivals Coming to Disney Parks in January 2018

Food, entertainment, art, and more combine to create an unforgettable start to the New Year

A new year means 365 new days that meeting, convention, and special-event attendees can enjoy all that Disney Parks & Resorts have to offer! Whether your group is headed east to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or west to Disneyland Resort in California, the Disney Parks on both U.S. coasts offer plenty of opportunities for attendees to enjoy themselves in their free time.

Beginning in January 2018, Epcot International Festival of the Arts will be returning to Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort, while Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort celebrates the Year of the Dog with the return of the Lunar New Year Festival. Let’s take a closer look at both events:

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Epcot International Festival of the Arts returns January 12-February 19, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort. New for 2018, the Festival will remain open 7 days a week, with various entertainment offerings planned each weekend. Attendees can enjoy an exciting extravaganza replete with phenomenal artists, musical performances, stage productions, and other amazing acts.

Attendees can also attend professional workshops and seminars to hone their creative skills. And, similar to the marketplace offerings available at other well-known Epcot festivals, attendees can sample culinary masterpieces from Food Studios located throughout Epcot. The blend of visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts all adds up to an engaging and immersive experience for your attendees.

Lunar New Year Festival at Disney California Adventure Park

2018, the Year of the Dog, brings the return of Lunar New Year Festival to Disney California Adventure Park. This year’s celebration, returning January 26-February 18, 2018, will celebrate time-honored traditions of the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures while inviting Guests of all backgrounds to enjoy the festivities.

Attendees can discover culturally-inspired food, music, entertainment and festive decorations while strolling beneath strings of ornamental lanterns or paying a visit to the Lucky Wishing Wall, where attendees can add their own wish. Commemorative merchandise will also be available, while colorful live performers, musicians, and local artisans enrich the celebration for all to enjoy.

Special entertainment this year includes Disney characters such as Mulan and her friend Mushu, along with Mickey Mouse and his pals, all dressed up for the occasion — including Goofy dressed as the God of Good Fortune. An attendee favorite, Hurry Home –Lunar New Year Celebration nighttime water show, also returns this year, celebrating family and friendship at Paradise Bay.

With so many returning festival favorites with new additions this year, attendees can find many ways to enjoy the Disney Theme Parks when they #MeetAtDisney. And, planners can even bring elements from the festivals into a ballroom setting, such as menu items, artistic performances, and more to create a one-of-a-kind meeting or event.

Tell us – What do you think your attendees would enjoy most about these festivals after a busy day of meetings? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn using hashtag #DisneyMeetingsBlog.

We're excited to help you create the perfect meeting or private event for any size group, theme, and objective. Submit a request to connect with a Disney Meetings & Events representative to start planning your next meeting or event.