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Updated: September 1, 2024
As the thrill-seekers and foodies among us know, theme parks are not just about rides and attractions anymore. Across the USA, a wave of vibrant theme park festivals has been sweeping through, offering families not just excitement, but a full-blown sensory experience.
This guide will dive into the spirit of these festivals, region by region, but first we’ll start with some of the top festivals in the country (in alphabetical order).
Recommended: Your Straightforward Guide to Theme Park Food and Wine Festivals
Top Theme Park Festivals and Limited Edition Treats
Outside of Halloween and Christmas festivities, there are year-round festivals at theme parks all around the United States. From Food and Wine to Mardi Gras to Harvest festivals, there’s a little bit of somethin’ for everyone.
This list will, unfortunately, not include short one-off events as the likelihood of there being limited edition treats being basically zero. If an event is labeled as a festival or runs roughly 3+ weeks, it’s added here to this guide.
Disneyland (California)
Disney is no stranger to doing things bigger and better than most theme parks in the nation, it is after all the blueprint for large operators across the continents. Of course they have a lot of festivals going on outside of Halloween and Christmas-time.
Their most popular is their Food and Wine Festival, which has delicious limited-time additions such as the Impossible Al Pastor Taco, Smoked Honey-Habañero Chicken Wings, Elote Paleta, and Smoked Cherry Mezcal-iki Cocktail.
Dollywood (Tennessee)
As I have personally not been to Dollywood, I didn’t know that this park did festivals outside of end-of-the-year activities, but why would I think that? I have no clue!
Aside from their famous Smoky Mountain Christmas, they also run two other popular festivals – Flower & Food and Harvest Festival.
Their Flower & Food festival typically doesn’t have their menu out to the public until a week or so before the festival’s opening, however, they do offer a tasting pass. And since I suspect you’re a bit of a foodie like me, I’d say you should grab one!
2024’s pricing was $39.99 plus tax, per person, with passholders getting $3 off that price.
Knott’s Berry Farm (California)
With Knott’s’ Boysenberry Festival, Knott’s Berry Farm cements itself as one of the more unique festivals drawing in obscenely large crowds. This festival is their own Food & Wine festival and oh how they delight with the creativity!
From waffles, to beef tips, pizzas, drinks, and more, it is boysenberry heaven. I’m not kidding! Boysenberry Meatball Pizza, Jamabalay with Boysenberry Sausage, Chicken, & Shrimp, Boysenberry Mango Lemonade — the list goes on! And the best part?
They have tasting cards! In 2024 the cards were going for $55 for six tastings, which is a nice money-saver considering how expensive food at theme parks can be.
Universal Studios Orlando (Florida)
When Universal Studios isn’t hosting HHN (Hollywood Horror Nights), it’s hosting Mardi Gras International Flavors of Carnaval, a two-month-long parade of all things Fat Tuesday.
Last year’s (2023) menu offered tastings from Germany, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, and of course the French Quarter, among so many others. It’s an interesting way to combine a “Food & Wine” under the Mardi Gras umbrella.
This year (2024) the menus came from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Orleans, Phillipines, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Thailand. They also had a Bloody Mary bar, a Coca-Cola kiosk that used the drinks as marinade bases for food, and a French Quarter bar.
Universal offered a discounted food and beverage card of $65 for $75 worth of food (and if you’re a passholder – $120 for $150 worth of food), so next time I’d jump on that if that offer were to come back around.
Walt Disney World (Florida)
A giant like Disney wasn’t going to let anyone withhold money for eight months of the year now did you? As, what may very well be, the largest Food & Wine Festival in the country, Disney goes big with everything they do. Obviously.
They do also host Flower & Garden and the Festival of the Arts (all located at EPCOT) throughout the year, too. While all other festivals do have special menus, I’ll solely talk about Food & Wine.
During 2023’s offerings they had countries such as Australia, Belgium, Hawai’i (a US state), India, Ireland, and Kenya. This year, I’m hoping to see some influence from Caribbean islands (I don’t understand why they were excluded), Central American countries, and other African nations that are not Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa.
The Complete List of Theme Park Festivals by Regions
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see our other festival guides – Halloween and Holiday – check them out! This list is only for festivals situated inside of the United States outside of the regular holiday season.
This list will come with omissions and mistakes, if you see something that isn’t here that should be, please let me know so I can look into it.
Midwest • Northeast • Southeast • Southwest • West Coast
Midwest
Cedar Point, OH
↳ Boardwalk Nights, July 19 – August 18
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, IN
↳ Holidays in the Sky, evenings of June 22 – August 4
→ Kids World, Saturdays and Sundays, August 17 – September 14
Kings Island, OH
↳ Grand Carnivale, July 20 – August 4
Silver Dollar City, MO
↳ Street Fest, April 11 – 29 (Final Year!)
→ Bluegrass & BBQ, May 2 – 27
→ Summer Celebration, June 8 – August 4
→ Summer Nights, July 13 – August 4
→ Southern Gospel Picnic, August 22 – September 2
→ Harvest Festival, September 13 – October 26
Six Flags St. Louis, MO
↳ Coasters, Brews & BBQ, July 12 – August 3
Six Flags Great America, IL
↳ Flavors of the World, Saturdays and Sundays, June 8 – June 30
→ Great Summer Nights, Thursdays through Sundays, July 11 – August 4
→ Oktoberfest, September 14 – November 3
Northeast
Diggerland, NJ
↳ Diggerfest Fall Festival, Saturdays and Sundays, September 28 – December 1
Kennywood, PA
↳ Bites and Pints Festival, Fridays to Sundays, May 24 – June 30
→ Celebrate Pittsburgh, Saturdays and Sundays, July 6 – July 28
Idlewild & Soak Zone, PA
↳ Kids Fest, Saturdays in June
Legoland New York, NY
↳ Summer Sunday Nights, Saturdays in July (4, 20, and 27th) & August (3, 10, and 17th)
Sesame Place Philadelphia, PA
↳ Mardi Gras Celebration, February 17 – March 17
→ Elmo’s Springtacular, Saturdays and Sundays, April 13 – June 16
→ Summer Splash, June 17 – September 8
Six Flags New England, MA
↳ Food & Brew Festival, Saturdays & Sundays, July 20 – August 4
→ Oktoberfest, Saturdays & Sundays, September 7 – October 27
Splish Splash, NY
↳ KidsFest, Saturdays & Sundays in June
Southeast
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, FL
↳ Real Music Series, January 9 – February 25
→ Mardi Gras, January 13 – March 3
→ Food & Wine Festival, Saturdays and Sundays, March 9 – May 19
→ Kids’ Weekends, Saturdays & Sundays, January 27 – February 11 and April 27 – May 19
→ Red, White & Brews, Fridays through Sundays, May 24 – July 7
→ Summer Nights, May 24 – August 4
→ Bourbon & BBQ, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, July 19 – September 2
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA
↳ Mardi Gras, January 26 – March 3
→ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, March 8 – 24
→ Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends, March 29 – April 21
→ Food & Wine Festival, Thursdays through Sundays, April 25 – June 9
→ Summer of Wonder, June 14 – August 11
→ Bier Fest, Fridays to Sundays, August 16 – September 2
Carowinds, NC
↳ Summer Music Fest, Saturdays and Sundays, July 5 – August 10
Dollywood, TN
↳ I Will Always Love You Music Festival, March 9 – April 14
→ Flower & Food Festival, April 19 – June 9
→ Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, June 15 – August 11
→ Harvest Festival, September 9 – October 28
Kings Dominion, VA
↳ Food and Wine Festival, August 2 – August 25
Legoland Florida, FL
↳ Lego Ninjago Weekends, January 20 – February 19
SeaWorld Orlando, FL
↳ Sesame Street Land’s 5th Birthday, January 27 – April 28
→ Seven Seas Food Festival, February 2 – May 19
→ Mardi Gras, February 8-11 and 15-18
→ Viva La Música, Weekends June 1 – 30
→ Bands, Brew & BBQ, select dates, July 6 – August 25
Universal Studios Orlando, FL
↳ Mardi Gras International Flavors of Carnaval, February 3 – April 7
Recommended: Food Guide to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras Festival • Food Review à la Mardi Gras Festival
Walt Disney World, FL
↳ EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, January 12 – February 19
→ EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, February 28 – May 27
→ EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, August 29 – November 18
→ Fall Into Magic at Disney Springs, TBD
Recommended: Food Guide to EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts | Food Review à la Arts Festival • Food Guide to EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival | Food Review à la Flower & Garden Festival • A Foodie Guide to EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival | 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Menu Prices
Wild Adventures, GA
↳ Sweet Summer Nights, June 7 – July 26
→ Wild Food Weekends, August 10 – August 25
→ Great Pumpkin LumiNights, September 20 – October 27
Southwest
SeaWorld San Antonio, TX
↳ Mardi Gras, January 13 – February 25
→ Seven Seas Food Festival, March 21 – May 27
→ Summer Spectacular, June 2 – August 2
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, TX
↳ Mardi Gras Festival & Taste of Mardi Gras Festival, January 13 – February 25
→ ¡Viva La Fiesta!, March 29 – April 28
→ Summer Nights Spectacular, Saturdays, May 25 – August 10
→ Oktoberfest Food Festival, September 7 – October 27
Six Flags Frontier City, OK
↳ Oktoberfest Food Festival, August 24 – September 8
Six Flags Over Texas, TX
↳ ¡Viva La Fiesta!, April 6 – May 5
→ Oktoberfest Food Festival, Saturdays and Sundays, September 7 – November 3
West Coast
California Great America, CA
↳ Food & Wine Festival, June 8 – 30
→ Carnivale at Orleans Place, July 12 – August 4
Disneyland, CA
↳ California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival, March 1 – April 22
→ Lunar New Year, January 23 – February 18
→ Star Wars Season of the Force, April 5 – June 2
→ Pixar Fest, April 26 – August 4
→ Plaza de la Familia, August 23 – November 2
Knott’s Berry Farm, CA
↳ Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration, January 27 – February 25
→ Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, March 8 – April 7, April 13-28 (Sat & Sun only these latter dates)
→ Summer at Knott’s, June 14 – September 2
→ Ghost Town Alive!, June 14 – September 2
→ Knott’s Summer Nights, June 14 – September 2
Legoland California, CA
↳ Lego Ninjago Weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, January 20 – February 19
SeaWorld San Diego, CA
↳ Mardi Gras, January 27 – February 25
→ Seven Seas Food Festival, March 1 – April 28
Sesame Place San Diego, CA
↳ Elmo’s Furry Fun Fest, weekends, January 13 – March 10
→ Elmo’s Springtacular, April 13 – May 19
→ Sesame Summer Splash, May 24 – September 2
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, CA
↳ ¡Viva La Fiesta!, May 4 – June 2
→ Oktoberfest, September 14 – November 3
Six Flags Magic Mountain, CA
↳ DC Heroes & Villains Fest, Saturdays and Sundays, June 15 – August 4
→ Flavors of the World Food Festival, March 23 – May 5
→ Summer Spectacular 2024, June 21 – August 3
→ Oktoberfest Food Festival, September 7- November 3
Pro-Tips for a Smooth Festival Season
If you’ve never gone to a theme park festival, it’s important to brush up on a few pro-tips before heading wherever you’re going. The nice thing is that these tips apply to a general day at any theme park, but they’re especially true during festivals as they can be more crowded than normal.
Alright, let’s do this!
1 – Purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines. If there happen to be packages, look into those deals as they are money-savers.
2 – Arrive early to make the most of your day in the parks and arrive early for any parades or special events happening in the park. For parades that can mean being as early as an hour or two to get ideal viewing spots.
3 – Plan your visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience, and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes (I highly advise against wearing brand new shoes as you’ll wish you broke them in before – promise). Also, if you’re planning to spend an entire day at a park (e.g., EPCOT at Walt Disney World) I suggest you buy moleskin to help with chafing on softer parts of your feet.
4 – If you have young children in your group, please rent (or bring your own) strollers for them. They will not want to walk the average of 7-10 miles you can do a day at a theme park nor should they suffer and be forced to do so. You will have reasonably miserable children if you don’t.
5 – Check out the map for the park before heading into it and discuss what parts of the festival you’ll hit up (if there’s a festival map, otherwise, check out their generic map to get an idea of where things are generally). Then download the app for quick access to the map or download the digital version to your phone so you’re not on your phone all day.
I mention this as some parks have completely done away with paper maps (recently Knott’s Berry Farm has done this as of 2024) and you don’t want to be S.O.L trying to figure out where things are.
In addition to downloading the app for the map, it’s great for real-time ride queuing, too.
6 – If the festival has a food pass – get it. It is a money-saver. At some parks, like Dollywood, they offer food passes, but Disney won’t. Call the theme park to make sure you have accurate information regarding this and get the cost upfront so you can factor it into your budget.
7 – Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, and don’t forget to stay hydrated in the heat.
8 – Bearing that in mind, please bring a reusable water bottle into the park, it can save you so much money like you wouldn’t believe. At many parks, asking for a cup of ice water is acceptable, and you can easily fill up your water bottle that way. PLEASE, I can’t stress enough the cost-savings here.
I’ve seen water bottles going for $5 a piece and if you’re constantly having to buy a bottle or two every few hours for a family of four that can be upwards of $50 solely on water. That’s 5 cases of water at home, no thanks!
9 – Engage with locals to learn about hidden gems within the festival and surrounding areas. Check out forums such as DISboards or Reddit for information.
That’s It!
Alrighty, as I wrap up our whirlwind tour of theme park festivals across the USA, one thing becomes clear – these events are more than just attractions; they’re experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Whether you find yourself on the East or West Coast, Midwest, or in the heart of the South, theme park festivals are offering a unique opportunity for families to make conscious choices in how they spend their time together outside of the every day “let’s head to a theme park today!” deal.
I hope that this guide was helpful and you find magic along the way. Enjoy!
And if you haven’t as of yet, please follow us on our other social media channels (YouTube, Instagram & Tik Tok – @themeparkbites) to stay up to date on food reviews. Thank you for allowing us to be your tasty theme park companion!