Guide

The Ultimate Guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Discover the best of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts with our guide to food studios, Disney on Broadway, and interactive art activities.

Your Complete Guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Every winter, Walt Disney World transforms into a vibrant canvas during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. This celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts is widely considered the most beautiful and interactive festival of the year.

Whether you are a seasoned art collector, a foodie looking for Instagrammable treats, or a family seeking creative fun, this guide covers everything you need to know to master the festival.

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🎨 The Three Pillars of the Festival

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts is built on three distinct disciplines. To get the full experience, you should plan to spend time in each category.

1. Visual Arts: Seeing and Creating

From the moment you enter the park, you’ll be surrounded by inspiration.

Art Galleries: Walk through the World Showcase to find tents filled with original Disney-inspired artwork. You can meet the artists, get pieces signed, and purchase prints or originals.

Chalk Art: Professional artists create stunning 3D masterpieces on the walkways near the park entrance and World Celebration.

Expression Section (Paint-by-Number Mural): This is a fan favorite! Guests are given a small cup of paint and a brush to help fill in a massive mural. It’s a collective effort that changes every few days.

Artful Photo Ops: Step inside the world’s most famous paintings. Disney sets up life-sized frames where you can pose as part of masterpieces like The Scream or Washington Crossing the Delaware.

2. Culinary Arts: Food Studios

At this festival, the food isn't just delicious—it’s a work of art. The Food Studios (outdoor kitchens) focus on plating, color, and texture as much as flavor.

Popular Booths: Look for the Cuisine Classique for hearty favorites or The Deconstructed Dish for reimagined classics like the Deconstructed BLT.

The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine: This is the festival’s food stroll. Purchase five specific vibrant dishes, collect stamps in your Festival Passport, and earn a complimentary artist-themed treat at the end.

3. Performing Arts: Disney on Broadway

The highlight of the festival’s entertainment is the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series.

The Show: Real Broadway stars take the stage at the America Gardens Theatre to perform hits from shows like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Frozen.

Showtimes: Performances typically take place three times a night.

Dining Packages: Because these shows are incredibly popular, booking a Disney on Broadway Dining Package is recommended. You’ll enjoy a meal at an EPCOT restaurant and receive guaranteed seating for a performance later that evening.

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🛠️ Pro Tips for Your Visit

1. Use a Festival Gift Card: Disney sells wearable mini-gift cards on a wristlet. Load one with your budget at the start of the day to make scanning for food and merchandise quick and easy. 2. Figment’s Brush with the Masters: This is a scavenger hunt perfect for kids (and adults!). Purchase a map, find Figment hidden in famous paintings throughout the World Showcase, and return it for a prize. 3. Check the Artist Schedule: If you have a favorite Disney artist, check the daily schedule. Many artists do live signings and meet-and-greets during the weekends. 4. Visit Mid-Week: This festival is very popular with Orlando locals. If you want shorter lines for food and less crowded galleries, Tuesday through Thursday are your best bets.

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🍴 Must-Try Food & Drink

While the menu changes slightly every year, these items are festival staples that you shouldn't miss:

The Rainbow Cake: Usually found at Figment’s Inspiration Station, this multi-layered cake is the unofficial mascot of the event.

Pop't Art: A modern, gourmet take on a toaster pastry with vibrant sugar designs.

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib: Often found at the Pastoral Palate, this dish represents the "fine dining" side of the festival.

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📸 Capturing the Magic

Don't forget to look for Magic Shots! Disney PhotoPass photographers often have special props or digital effects (like paintbrushes or Figment) that they can add to your photos during the festival.

Also, keep an eye out for "Chalk Full of Character." These are small stickers of Disney characters hidden in architectural nooks around the World Showcase—Dante from Coco in Mexico, or Pascal from Tangled in Germany. They make for great scavenger hunt photos!

Plan around shorter lines

Pick your park and dates. We watch every major ride and text you the moment a wait gets short.

Get ride alerts · from $5/dayAlerts for at least 3 rides or your money back.

Frequently asked questions

When is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?

The festival typically runs from mid-January through late February each year.

Do you need a separate ticket for the Festival of the Arts?

No, the festival is included with your standard EPCOT park admission. However, food and certain activities like the scavenger hunt cost extra.

Is the Disney on Broadway concert free?

Yes, the concerts are included with your park admission, but seating is first-come, first-served unless you purchase a dining package.

What happens if it rains?

Most art galleries are under tents and the Broadway performances are in a covered (but open-air) theater. The paint-by-number mural may close during heavy rain.