EPCOT is home to Disney World’s most flavorful, festive, and downright fun events. With four different EPCOT Festivals running the majority of the year, almost any time of year is a fantastic time to visit WDW’s second theme park.
Whether you want to taste small plates around the world or see one of your favorite bands performing live, chances are EPCOT’s Festivals have something that will make your vacation even more magical.
But with so much going on at every festival, it can be overwhelming to know exactly what to see, do, and, most importantly, taste.
In our EPCOT Festival Guide, we have everything you need to know about EPCOT Festival of the Arts, EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, and the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. You can use this guide as a crash course in EPCOT’s Festivals. We’ll give you an overview of the best entertainment, food offerings, and special activities at each event. If you want to learn more details, check out our in-depth guides for each festival, which will be linked below.
From festival dates to food booth menus to special activities, Guide2WDW has everything you need to have an exceptional experience at EPCOT.
Each section of this guide will be updated as Disney World announces information.
EPCOT Festival of the Arts
2023 Festival Dates: January 13 – February 20, 2023
Get in touch with your inner-artist at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts. Celebrating the visual, performing, and culinary arts, this festival provides a unique opportunity to engage with the world of creativity in all its forms.
Taking place each January and February, this relatively short festival packs an imaginative punch. It’s no wonder why this has become the defacto Figment festival, with a Figment-themed Food Studio and the famous Figment popcorn bucket being prominent features.
One of the major attractions of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts is the opportunity to meet some of the best artists in the Disney community. These artists are responsible for creating some of the most beloved prints and merchandise, and you can meet them in person, chat with them about their work, and even take home a unique and signed piece of art. This makes the festival an exciting opportunity for collectors who love to add a touch of Disney magic to their homes.
From draw-along art classes to mind-blowing chalk art to live Broadway performances that bring down the house, this is a true feast for your creativity and imagination.
Who is EPCOT Festival of the Arts for? Aspiring artists, Broadway junkies, and those with a little spark of imagination.
Entertainment and Activity Highlights: Disney On Broadway concert series. Chalk Art. Animation Academy.
Merchandise Spotlight: Figment Popcorn Bucket
The Best Things to Eat: Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese (Pop Eats), Char Siu Pork Bun (Painted Panda), Pan-Seared Scallops (Moderne), Angry Crab (Moderne), Rainbow Cake (Figment’s Inspiration Station), Beef Wellington (Craftsman’s Courtyard)
Want more inspiration for your visit to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts? Check out our in-depth guides:
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Guide
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Food Studio Menus
- Disney On Broadway at EPCOT – Lineup, Dates, and Dining Packages
- How to buy a Figment Popcorn Bucket at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
2023 Festival Dates: March 1 – July 5, 2023
Experience EPCOT fully bloom at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. Every March through early July, EPCOT emerges into Spring as a blossoming world of color and beauty. Disney’s expert team of horticulturalists outdo themselves, creating an incredible display of topiaries, gardens, and floral arrangements.
The character topiaries are a signature highlight of the festival. It’s amazing to see how your favorite Disney and Pixar characters are realized as larger-than-life sculptures made using plants, flowers, and other natural materials. A fun activity is to try to find all the characters, from Mickey and Minnie to Anna and Elsa to Woody and Buzz. While you’re at it, you won’t want to miss the stunning butterfly garden, where you can watch butterflies flutter around.
Another not-to-be-missed aspect of the festival is the Garden Rocks concert series. These free outdoor concerts feature well-known bands and artists performing live at the America Gardens Theater, providing a little flower power to your day. Past performers have included STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, Smash Mouth, and Kool and the Gang, so there’s sure to be something for everyone.
And of course, no EPCOT festival is complete without delicious food and drink options. The Outdoor Kitchens at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival serve up a variety of fresh and flavorful dishes and drinks, including the popular Orange Bird sipper, which is not only delicious, but also a fun souvenir to take home.
Who is EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival for? Gardening enthusiasts, fresh foodies, anyone who simply loves being surrounded by beautiful flowers
Entertainment and Activity Highlights: Garden Rocks Concert Series, Easter Egg Hunt,
Merchandise Spotlight: Orange Bird Sipper
The Best Things to Eat: Chicken Yakitori (Hanami), Frushi (Hanami), Croissant Au Fromage De Chevre (Fleur de Lys), Chargrilled Bison Ribeye (Farmer’s Feast), Coconut Tres Leches (La Isla Fresca), Seared Scallops (Northern Bloom), Orange-Lemon Smoothie in Orange Bird Sipper (Citrus Blossom)
Want to spring into action at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? Check out our in-depth guides:
- EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Guide
- EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival – Outdoor Kitchen Menus
- EPCOT Garden Rocks Concert Guide – Lineup, Dining Packages, & Tips
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
2023 Festival Dates: July – November. (The official dates have not been announced yet. The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival ran on July 14 – November 19, 2022. We expect similar dates this year.)
While we love all of EPCOT’s Festivals, Food & Wine is the EPCOT Festival. One of the most popular events at Disney World, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is a months-long culinary extravaganza that now spans from July until the middle of November.
Indulge your tastebuds at the International Marketplaces. With dozens of booths themed to different countries, you can sample a wide array of small plates and beverages representing a diverse array of global cuisines and cultures as you explore World Showcase. From Hawaiian Spam Musubi to Indian Potato and Pea Samosa to Brazilian Pao de Queijo (aka crazy good tapioca cheese bread), there are seemingly endless options to have your own culinary adventure.
The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival features the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Similar to Garden Rocks, these are free daily concerts in the America Gardens Theater. The band lineup tends to attract a few more big headliners, such as Boyz II Men. But which concert you prefer really is up to who you are a fan of and what type of music you like. This is another great opportunity for Disney World guests to rock out while enjoying everything EPCOT has to offer.
Another deliciously fun activity at the Food & Wine Festival is Remy’s Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt. Perfect for families, you get a map and work together to find Remy the Rat with various ingredients throughout the park. As you find each ingredient, you place a sticker on your scavenger hunt map. Once you have a completed map, you can redeem a prize. Other EPCOT Festivals also have similar scavenger hunts.
Who is EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival for? Adventurous foodies, anyone with tastebuds and an appetite, fans of rock and pop music
Entertainment and Activity Highlights: Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Remy’s Hide and Squeak
The Best Things to Eat: Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup (Canada), Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet (Canada), Spam Musubi Nigiri (Hawaii), Adobo Yuca Fries (The Fry Basket), Pao de Queijo (Brazil), Lamb Chop (Australia)
Hungry yet? Whet your appetite with our in-depth EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Guides.
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
2023 Dates: Late November – December. (The official dates have not been announced yet. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays ran on November 25 – December 30, 2022. We expect similar dates this year.)
Tis the season for food and fun at the final EPCOT Festival of the year. Running every November and December, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is one of the bright spots of the holiday season at Walt Disney World. This magical celebration brings the holiday spirit to the entire park while pulling in traditions from the countries found in World Showcase.
Sharing the holiday stories and legends of their respective cultures, the Holiday Storytellers found throughout the park are one of the best parts of this festival. From La Befana in Italy to Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, these storytellers are a fun and festive way to learn about the holiday season around the world. It really feels like the original spirit of EPCOT lives in these enlightening performances.
Of course, you can also meet with Santa at EPCOT during this Festival.
Our favorite holiday tradition at Disney World is the Candlelight Processional. This event features a celebrity narrator who tells the story of Christmas, accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra. Moving and awe-inspiring, this performance is a must-see spectacle.
But the holiday season is also about enjoying good food! The offerings at the Holiday Kitchens are also a major draw. With festive dishes, drinks, and desserts, Disney World guests can treat themselves to anything from holiday cookies and eggnog to hearty stews and savory snacks.
This festival also features a seasonal overlay for the park’s newest attraction. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Holiday Remix runs throughout the festival, featuring a “mash-up of seasonal jams.”
Overall, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is a joyous celebration that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Who is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays for? Scrooge after he’s been visited by three ghosts. The Grinch once his heart grows three sizes. Buddy the Elf.
Entertainment and Activity Highlights: Candlelight Processional. Holiday Storytellers.
The Best Things to Eat: Kalua Pork (Mele Kalikimaka),Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl (Bavaria), Macaron Christmas Tree (Les Halles Bakery), Croissant Donut (Donut Box), Slow Roasted Turkey (American Holiday Table), Potato Latkes (L’Chaim), Maple Buche De Noel (Yukon Holiday Kitchen).
Want to get into the holiday spirit? Unwrap our in-depth EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Guides.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Guide
- EPCOT Festival of the Holidays – Holiday Kitchen Menus
- EPCOT Candlelight Processional Guide – Lineup, Dining Packages, and Tips
What are the food booths called at each EPCOT Festival?
- Festival of the Arts: Food Studios
- Flower and Garden: Outdoor Kitchens
- Food & Wine: International Marketplaces
- Festival of the Holidays: Holiday Kitchens
The Best Tips for EPCOT Festivals
- Don’t Miss the Festival-themed Light Show at Spaceship Earth. Every EPCOT Festival now features a short light show at Spaceship Earth, where the dazzling geodesic sphere twinkles and dances with glowing lights set to music. This is now one of our favorite parts of each festival, especially the Figment medley during the Festival of the Arts.
- Grab a Festival Passport at the beginning of your trip and hang onto it. Not only do these little booklets act as a menu for everything each Festival offers, but you can also get these stamped at each food booth so you can keep track of everything you’ve tasted. Plus, these make for a great free souvenir.
- Avoid the weekends. Especially at the Food & Wine Festivals, weekends get extremely crowded during EPCOT Festivals. This is when locals like to flock to the park to eat and drink around the world.
- The best times to eat? Lines at the food booths will be shortest right when they open until the late morning, and in the mid-afternoon. Try to grab bites to eat during off-meal hours, as many people will head to the food booths for their lunch and dinner.
- Food Booth Opening Times can vary. Some of the Food Booths will open with the park at 8:30 or 9 am, while others won’t open until 11 am. Set your expectations accordingly.
- Set a budget. While every item at the food booths are fairly affordable at around $3-$9 per plate, these small plates can add up quickly.
- You can do the scavenger hunt for free. You don’t actually need to pay to play the game. Just look out for the special item located in each country. You can write down which item you find in which part of the park, or mark your park map. You won’t get a prize this way, but you can still have fun finding the hidden
- Save money on a dining package. We really love any counter service option for a dining package for a show like Garden Rocks or Candlelight Processional. Regal Eagle Smokehouse is your only option, but it’s a great option. For $35-40, 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.
- Avoid the first days of the festival. This is when many Disney World bloggers will descend on the park to create #content. If you can, wait a day or two to visit EPCOT during this festival.
- Pack your own straw and utensils: You will plow through a lot of plastic cutlery over your time at the food booths, and Disney’s paper straws are awful.
How to Have an Excellent Time at Any EPCOT Festival
Planning a trip to the EPCOT during these festivals? This guide is just the beginning. Get in touch with our friends at Vacationeer for free Disney World vacation planning. Their travel agents can help you plan your vacation for no extra cost. They’ll make sure you get the most out of your visit to EPCOT and the other WDW theme parks. Plus, they are Disney experts, so they’ll have their own recommendations and advice.
And don’t miss our other Disney World guides, which help you learn the basics of planning a WDW vacation. Our Guide 2 Disney Genie and EPCOT Lightning Lane Guide will help you spend less time waiting in line for EPCOT’s best rides and attractions. Plus, we have in-depth sections with EPCOT Tips & Tricks, EPCOT Rides & Attractions, an EPCOT Character Guide, as well as EPCOT Restaurants and Dining.
Let Us Know Your Thoughts
Do you have any questions about EPCOT’s Festivals. Any tips or experiences you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
More from Guide2WDW
