EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Guide - 2023 Lineup, Dining Packages, & Tips

Get ready to satisfy your tastebuds as you rock your eardrums during the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Kicking off July 27, the entire theme park comes alive with a medley of flavors and melodies during Disney World’s most popular EPCOT Festival. And as always, the Eat to the Beat concert series is sure to add some grooviness to the menu. Guide2WDW is here to give you must-know insights into the 2023 Eat to the Beat concert lineup, dining package options, and valuable tips to make the most of this exciting event.

Much like the Garden Rocks concerts during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Eat to the Beat is a free concert series that rocks the World Showcase, although with a different lineup and unique flair.

This year’s Eat to the Beat concert series has an ensemble of returning favorites and fresh additions, ready to serenade you as you explore a world of culinary delights. From rock to pop, country to R&B, there’s a sound for everyone.

Read on for the full performer lineup, concert showtimes, and a few tips for the 2023 Eat to the Beat concerts at EPCOT. Plus, we’ll recommend which dining package you should consider getting so you can get the best seat in the house — without having to pay a fortune.

Update July 31, 2023 – The Fray has been added to this year’s lineup. We’ve updated this article with the updated concert lineup, as well as added new information about the concert dining packages.

What is the Eat to the Beat concert series?

Bringing some major musical starpower to EPCOT’s World Showcase, Eat to the Beat is a series of concerts performed nightly during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. These concerts will be divided into nights with headliner bands and nights showcasing local talent.

From Friday – Monday, popular headliner bands like Boyz II Men, Billy Ocean, and Hanson will take the stage.

From Tuesday – Thursday during the festival, local artists will have their time to shine.

These performances last roughly thirty minutes, and the bands perform three times nightly. There is no extra charge to watch these concerts, as they are a free perk for EPCOT guests.

Seats are first come, first serve, but you can get preferred seating with a dining package (more on that below).

2023 Eat to the Beat Band Lineup and Schedule

This year’s concert series kicks off with two newcomers. First on the list is the talented Orianthi, known for her electrifying guitar skills. Following closely is King & Country, ready to charm you with their dynamic tunes on July 30-31.

If you’re looking for 90s nostalgia, Eat to the Beat will keep you satisfied with Boyz II Men, 98°, Joey Fatone & Friends, Hanson Sugar Ray, and more.

Other returning favorites are Tiffany, Billy Ocean, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Eat to the Beat 2023 Lineup

July

July 27 – Funkafied
July 28-29 – Orianthi (NEW)
July 30-31 – FOR KING + COUNTRY (NEW)

August

August 1-3 – Funkafied
August 4-5 – Southern Avenue
August 6-7 – Tiffany
August 8-10 – Champagne
August 11-12 – Ruben Studdard with Haley Reinhart (NEW)
August 13-14 – The Fray (NEW)
August 15-17 – M-80’s
August 18-21 – Joey Fatone & Friends
August 22-24 – The Female Collective
August 25-26 – Ayron Jones (NEW)
August 27-28 – Phillip Phillips (NEW)
August 29-31 – Element

September

September 1-2 – Baha Men
September 3-4 – MercyMe
September 5-7 – Foreigners Journey
September 8-9 – Ray Parker Jr.
September 10-11 – TobyMac
September 12-14 – Hooligans
September 15 – Monsieur Periné
September 16-17 – Raul Acosta & Oro Solido
September 18 – Bacilos (NEW)
September 19-21 – Audio Exchange
September 22-24 – Los Amigos Invisibles – (NEW)
September 25-26 – 98°
September 27-28 – Latin Ambition
September 29 – October 2 – Boyz II Men

October

October 3-5 – Wish Radio
October 6-7 – Mark Wills
October 8-9 – Sugar Ray
October 10-12 – Icon Party Band
October 13-14 – Hoobastank
October 15-16 – Air Supply
October 17-19 – Evolution Motown
October 20-21 – Taylor Dayne
October 22-23 – Billy Ocean
October 24-26 – Sound Up
October 27-30 – Hanson
October 31-November 2 – Rexine

November

November 3-4 – We The Kings (NEW)
November 5-6 – Sheila E.
November 7-9 – Epic Live
November 10-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
November 12-13 – 38 Special

Eat to the Beat Location and Showtimes

The Eat to the Beat concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre, located in the America pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.

The show takes place three times a night, at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8 PM.

Does Eat to the Beat cost anything at EPCOT?

As mentioned above, these performances are free with EPCOT park admission, and seats are available on a first come, first served basis. You will need a Park Pass reservation or a park hopper ticket in order to get into EPCOT.

EPCOT Eat to the Beat Dining Packages

As with other EPCOT Festival performances, several restaurants at Epcot offer a dining package for the Eat to the Beat concerts. These packages include a three-course meal or buffet, a non-alcoholic beverage, and guaranteed seating for one concert on that day. At Spice Road Table, the offering is slightly different. It includes 2 small plates, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage.

We find the dining package seats to be among the best seats, and usually you are paying $10-$20 more per person to add the guaranteed seating to the meal.

Check out Disney World’s website to make reservations and for more information.

EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Tips

• How early should you line up for Eat to the Beat? We recommend getting to the America Gardens Theater at least 30 minutes before the  show starts. If there’s a particularly popular band, increase that to 45 minutes to an hour. Seating is limited!
• Save money on a dining package. We really love any counter service option for a dining package for a show like Eat to the Beat. While Dining Packages haven’t been announced yet, Regal Eagle Smokehouse has previously been the only option for counter service with other concerts. But it’s a great option. For $35, you get an appetizer, entree, dessert, drink, and a great seat for the show. Plus, you don’t need to make a reservation for this – just show up to the restaurant and ask. The only downside is that same day packages may not be available on peak days.
• No reservations available for dining packages? Check out Regal Eagle Smokehouse. The restaurant offers same day packages and really tasty food!
• Don’t want to line up? The America Gardens Theater is an open amphitheater, so you can hear and see the show pretty much anywhere from the American Adventure Pavilion. While Cast Members will prevent people from standing in the walkway directly behind the theater’s seating, you can still enjoy the show from elsewhere in the pavilion. It won’t be the best viewing experience, but it’s a great option if you don’t want to commit to lining up and watching the whole show.
• Plan your Park Reservations wisely. If there’s a band you’re dying to see at the Eat to the Beat concert series, be sure to make a park pass reservation for the day that they are performing. If you have a park hopper or Annual Pass, you won’t have to worry about this, since the concerts take place well after park hopping begins.

EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concerts Guide Recap

Running three times nightly during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, the Eat to the Beat concert series is one event’s major highlights. Featuring a diverse lineup of bands across musical genres and eras, guests will be able to see some of their favorite performers live during their Disney World vacation.

There are three ways to watch the show: Get to the America Gardens Theater early to grab a seat, get a dining package to guarantee your seat, or stand around in the America pavilion around showtime.

Let me know in the comments below! Do you have any questions about Eat to the Beat during EPCOT Food & Wine?