If you have ever wondered whether there is a “wrong” time to visit EPCOT, here is the good news: for most of the year, there isn’t one. Four major EPCOT festivals roll through the park in a steady rhythm, each with its own food, music, and personality. Winter brings art and Broadway songs. Spring brings topiaries and garden-fresh bites. Late summer and fall bring the global food tour. The holidays close out the year with one of Disney’s most beloved traditions.
This guide walks through all of the EPCOT festivals on the calendar: what it is, when it typically runs, what you can eat, what the entertainment looks like, and where to be honest about heat, stamina, and cost. Think of it as one experienced traveler talking to another.
Dates and menus for the EPCOT festivals below reflect what Disney had announced as of late September 2026. Lineups, menus, and prices can change, so double-check the My Disney Experience app before you go.
Quick Reference: EPCOT Festivals at a Glance
| Festival | Typical Window | Current or Next Dates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festival of the Arts | Mid-January to early March | Jan 15 – Mar 1, 2027 | Cooler weather, art, Broadway songs |
| Flower & Garden | Early-to-mid March to late May | Mar 10 – May 31, 2027 | Photography, lighter food, spring color |
| Food & Wine | Late summer to mid/late November | Aug 27 – Nov 21, 2026 | Eating, drinking, concerts |
| Festival of the Holidays | Day after Thanksgiving to Dec 30 | Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 | Candlelight Processional, seasonal traditions |
How the EPCOT Festivals Calendar Works
Every one of the EPCOT festivals is included with regular park admission. That means the topiaries, the chalk art, the storytellers, and the standard concerts cost nothing beyond your park ticket. What you pay for separately is the food and drink at the festival booths, plus optional dining packages that guarantee concert seating. For the bigger picture of the park itself, see our guide to EPCOT in 2026.
Each of the EPCOT festivals gives its booths a different name: Food Studios in winter, Outdoor Kitchens in spring, Global Marketplaces in fall, and Holiday Kitchens in December. The format is the same everywhere. You get small, tapas-style portions at modest prices, and you graze your way around the park.
One honest note about the calendar of EPCOT festivals: there is a gap. Once Flower & Garden wraps up around the end of May, EPCOT does not run a major festival again until late summer. If you are planning a June or July trip, you will not find festival booths, though the park itself is as good as ever.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January – March)
2027 dates: January 15 – March 1
Festival of the Arts debuted in 2017, which makes it the youngest of the four big EPCOT festivals. It has quickly become a favorite because it blends visual art, live performance, and food in a way that feels distinctly EPCOT. It also arrives at the most comfortable time of year for walking a park in Florida, which is no small thing.
The 2027 festival is about a week longer than the 2026 edition, which ended in late February.
What to See and Do at Festival of the Arts
- Disney on Broadway Concert Series. This is the headliner. Broadway performers take the America Gardens Theatre stage for three shows each evening, singing songs from Disney’s stage productions. Standby seating is free with your ticket. Arriving about half an hour early usually gets you a reasonable seat on a normal day.
- Chalk art and live painting. Artists create sidewalk galleries along the main walkway between World Celebration and World Showcase, while others paint Disney characters in real time in Showcase Plaza. The painting shows are fast, and finished pieces appear within minutes.
- Figment’s scavenger hunt. Each World Showcase pavilion displays artwork in a special frame, and the game is to find the little purple dragon hiding in each painting. A festival map runs around ten dollars at the main shops, and finishing the hunt earns a keepsake. It is also perfectly fun to just look for Figment without buying anything.
- Expression Section, the paint-by-number mural. Guests add their own touches to a giant communal artwork.
- Animation Academy. An animator walks you through drawing a Disney character.
- Artful photo ops and merchandise. Expect plenty of Figment keepsakes, apparel, and pins.
- Disney Lorcana activities. Disney has confirmed the trading card game tie-in returns in 2027, with festival-exclusive promo items.
- Spaceship Earth light shows. During the festival, the Beacon of Magic nighttime lights include special festival-themed shows, including one celebrating Figment.
Comfort Check
Festival of the Arts has the friendliest weather of the four EPCOT festivals, with cooler days that make World Showcase strolling far more pleasant than in summer or early fall. It is also the festival where you are most likely to enjoy a full day without needing a mid-afternoon hotel break.
The Food Studios and the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
Festival of the Arts serves its food from Food Studios, small walk-up kitchens with menus inspired by artistic ideas and movements. In the most recent edition, there were 16 Food Studios plus seven permanent EPCOT locations offering festival items.
The festival also runs a food stroll called the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Seven sweet and savory dishes, each chosen for a color, appear in your Festival Passport. Collect stamps for five of them, and you can redeem the passport at the Deco Delights Food Studio for a complimentary Artist Palette Cookie.
Menus Coming Soon
Disney has not yet announced the Food Studio menus for the 2027 festival, and its official Festival of the Arts page is where they will appear first. Expect new Figment-inspired dishes, since those have been a fixture, and check back here after the menus are released.
Budget Watch
A Disney on Broadway Dining Package pairs a lunch or dinner with guaranteed concert seating, and is offered at seven EPCOT locations. For most days you do not need one. The exception is peak weekends and the final stretch of the festival, when seats fill up fast.
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (March – May)
2027 dates: March 10 – May 31 (about 83 days)
Flower & Garden is the oldest of the four current EPCOT festivals, dating back to an original 38-day run in 1994. It began as a modest horticulture event and grew into a full-park transformation. Of all the EPCOT festivals, it is the only one that physically changes how the park looks. Beds are replanted, sightlines shift color, and topiaries appear in every neighborhood. If you have only ever visited during Food & Wine, you have not seen the park at its most photogenic.
The 2027 run spans spring break, Easter, and Memorial Day weekend, so it covers most of the stretch when Central Florida weather is actually pleasant.
What to See and Do at Flower & Garden
- Character topiaries. The floral figures are the signature attraction and the reason so many EPCOT photos look like postcards. For a taste, see our look at the Lotso topiary from the 2026 festival.
- Gardens and exhibits. Beyond the topiaries, you will find themed garden displays and sustainability-focused exhibits that fit EPCOT’s original mission well. They are easy to skip and worth slowing down for.
- Garden Rocks Concert Series. Complimentary concerts return to the America Gardens Theatre, mixing well-known acts with beloved local bands. The 2027 lineup and any dining package details have not been announced yet.
- Outdoor Kitchens. Booths scattered around the park serve spring-inspired food and drinks.
The food philosophy at Flower & Garden differs from the fall festival. The menus lean lighter, brighter, and more produce-driven, with fresh seasonal ingredients and fruit-forward desserts. If Food & Wine has ever left you overwhelmed or overstuffed, this is the festival to try.
Menus Coming Soon
Disney has confirmed that the Outdoor Kitchens return for 2027, but the menus have not been released. This section will be updated once they are. In the meantime, our roundup of the 2026 Flower & Garden menus shows the kind of dishes to expect.
Pace & Rest Strategy
The early weeks of Flower & Garden are lovely. By late May, Orlando heat and humidity are back in full force. If you are visiting near the end of the run, plan a morning arrival, use the afternoon for air-conditioned pavilions, and return to World Showcase in the evening.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Late Summer – November)
2026 dates: August 27 – November 21 (87 days)
Food & Wine is the granddaddy of EPCOT festivals and the biggest crowd magnet. More than 30 Global Marketplace booths fill the park, serving dishes and drinks inspired by different countries, including a few cuisines that have no pavilion of their own in World Showcase. Disney is billing the 2026 edition as the festival’s 30th anniversary, with 30 dishes returning or reimagined from years past.
Three things to know before you go:
- Not every booth opens on day one. A few opened in September, and several open on October 2, including Coastal Eats, Earth Eats, India, and The Alps. If a specific dish is on your list, confirm the date.
- Prices are tapas-style. Most food items land in the $5 to $10 range, and drinks run roughly $6 to $16 depending on size. At some booths you can choose a 6-ounce or 12-ounce pour.
- The big chef seminars have not returned. Disney’s old slate of special dinners and celebrity chef events remains largely absent. The main organized extra in 2026 is a Parisian breakfast at Chefs de France, plus third-party events like the Food & Wine Classic at the Swan & Dolphin.
The 2026 Global Marketplace Menus
Below is every food item and dessert announced for the 2026 festival, organized by area. Descriptions are condensed, and drinks are covered in short “sip highlights” rather than item by item. Menus and availability can change.
World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature
| Booth | Dish | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| The Wedge (CommuniCore Hall, Sept 18 – Nov 8, hosted by Dairy Does More) | Cheese Selection | Assorted cheeses with accompaniments, featuring Wisconsin cheese |
| Crab and Corn Mac and Cheese | Smoked cheddar sauce with bacon, crab seasoning, roasted corn, herbed panko, and jalapeños | |
| Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese | Smoked cheddar sauce under a herbed panko crust | |
| Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese | Shaved beef, peppers, and onions in smoked cheddar sauce | |
| Cannoli Milk Shake | Non-alcoholic shake topped with a cannoli shell, chocolate shavings, and a cherry | |
| Festival Favorites (from Sept 9) | Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps | Pork belly, kimchi slaw, and spicy aïoli |
| Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle | Cream cheese mousse layered with citrus sauce, spice cake, and cranberry streusel | |
| Potato Pierogi | Pierogi with kielbasa, caramelized onions, and sour cream | |
| Frozen S’mores | Non-alcoholic chocolate shake with marshmallow syrup and graham cracker | |
| Frozen Apple Blossom | Apple cider and ginger ale with apple brandy, marshmallows, and maple syrup (contains alcohol) | |
| Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey | Wing Experiments: Buffalo-Dill Pickle | Jumbo wings with house-made pickle ranch |
| Wing Experiments: Garlic-Parmesan | The classic, done well | |
| Wing Experiments: Korean Barbecue | Gochujang barbecue sauce with toasted sesame | |
| Wing Experiments: Carolina Reaper-Curry | The “unnecessarily spicy” option, cooled with cucumber raita | |
| Sweet Chile-Lime Plant-Based Chicken Strips | Plant-based strips with cilantro crema and spicy peppers (plant-based) | |
| Fried Pickle Spears | Served with dill ranch | |
| Connections Eatery | BBQ Braai Chicken Pizza | Two slices topped with tamarind barbecue, arugula, onions, and piri piri sauce |
| Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen | A layered German-style cake with caramel-apple cheesecake | |
| Connections Café | Pistachio-Chocolate Mochi Doughnut | Chewy mochi doughnut with pistachio and chocolate |
| Coastal Eats (from Oct 2) | Crab Cake | With tropical fruit chutney and mustard sauce |
| Seafood Pot Pie | Shrimp, scallops, and lobster bisque under puff pastry | |
| Gyozas of the Galaxy | Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings | With fonduta, tomato confit, and balsamic |
| Edamame Dumplings | Butternut squash purée, caramelized onions, sage, and walnut aillade | |
| Street Corn-Style Dumplings | Chicken dumplings with salsa verde, street corn salad, cotija, and lime crema | |
| Flavors from Fire | Rodizio-Style Grilled Beef Skewer | With marble potatoes, charred shallots, baby peppers, and chimichurri |
| Smoked Corned Beef | House-made chips, cheese curds, pickled onions, and beer cheese fondue | |
| Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding | Chocolate ganache and bourbon-vanilla sauce with smoked sea salt | |
| The Fry Basket | Adobo Yuca Fries | With garlic-cilantro aïoli (plant-based) |
| Fry Flight | Sea salt and malt vinegar fries (plant-based), truffle-Parmesan fries, and sweet potato casserole fries (plant-based) | |
| Earth Eats (from Oct 2) | Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Rib | Goat cheese polenta, tomato ragù, and shaved pecorino |
| Lemon-Almond-Olive Oil Cake | Served with whipped Greek yogurt panna cotta | |
| Sunshine Seasons | Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron | The festival’s anniversary treat |
| Remy Milk Shake | Non-alcoholic strawberry-cheesecake shake with a mini cheesecake and a white chocolate Eiffel Tower |
Sip highlights: Frozen Waffle Old Fashioned at Connections Eatery, the Swine Brine bourbon cocktail (topped with a pork wing) at Flavors from Fire, beer and cider flights at Brew-Wing Lab, and wine and cheese pairings at The Wedge.
World Showcase
| Booth | Dish | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Bushberry-Spiced Shrimp Skewer | Grilled shrimp with sweet-and-sour vegetables and coconut-chili sauce |
| Roasted Lamb Chop | Mint pesto and crushed salt-and-vinegar potato chips | |
| Mixed Berry Pavlova | Crisp meringue shell with macerated berries and whipped cream | |
| Mexico | Tostada de Osso Buco | Braised pork osso buco on a fried tortilla with chipotle black beans and salsa verde |
| Taco de Camarón | Crispy tempura shrimp, cabbage, and chipotle aïoli in a flour tortilla | |
| Paleta de Moras | Berry ice pop filled with sweetened condensed milk and finished with chili-lime seasoning | |
| Norway Cart | Caramel Cream and Gjetost Bolle | A sweet bun with caramel cream and Norwegian brown cheese |
| China | Dumplings Trio | Pan-fried chicken, pork, and vegetable dumplings with sweet-and-spicy sauce |
| Smoked Duck Bao Bun | Pickled cucumber, scallion, and hoisin | |
| Beijing Zhajiang Noodles | Stir-fried minced beef with cucumber, chili, and carrots in a savory bean sauce | |
| India (from Oct 2) | Potato-Pea Samosas | With coriander-lime cream (plant-based) |
| Chicken Tikka Masala | Fennel-spiced yogurt and naan | |
| Refreshment Outpost (hosted by Coca-Cola) | Berbere-Spiced Beef Stew | Served with sweet potato mealie pap and kachumbari slaw |
| Sweet Potato Mealie Pap | Stew of beans, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes (plant-based) | |
| Chocolate Mousse | South African cream liqueur, white chocolate ganache, and popping candy | |
| The Alps (from Oct 2) | Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese | On a baguette with jambon and apple-mustard relish |
| Tartiflette | Potato gratin with bacon, caramelized onions, and brie | |
| Kirschwasser Torte | Cherry-brandy buttercream, sugared almonds, and cherry compote | |
| Germany | Wiener Schnitzel | Breaded veal cutlet with potato salad, bacon, and a watercress-radish salad |
| Schinkennudeln | Pasta gratin with ham, onions, and cheese | |
| Apple Strudel | With vanilla sauce | |
| Sommerfest | Zwiebelkuchen | German onion cake with bacon, herbs, and savory custard |
| Spain | Croquetas de Jamón | Ham croquettes with saffron aïoli and shaved Serrano |
| Paella Caldoso | Brothy paella with chicken, chorizo, gigante beans, and saffron rice | |
| Basque Cheesecake | With orange sauce | |
| Italy | Stromboli | Baked ham and provolone roll with Parmesan and tomato sauce |
| Pollo al Marsala | Roasted chicken drumstick with potato gnocchi, mushrooms, and Marsala sauce | |
| Almond Panna Cotta | Orange marmalade and candied almonds | |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse | Blackberry Buckle | Blackberry gelato with streusel |
| Hops & Barley | Smoked Brisket and Cheddar Melt | Chopped brisket, caramelized onions, and cheddar sauce on a potato roll |
| Gulf Coast-Style Seafood Roll | Lobster and rock shrimp with lobster bisque and sherry crème fraîche on brioche | |
| Chocolate Pudding Cake | Kentucky bourbon caramel | |
| Funnel Cake | Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake | Pumpkin pie ice cream, dark chocolate sauce, and cinnamon streusel |
| Japan | Spicy Temaki Hand Roll | Spicy tuna, cucumber, and rice cracker |
| Beef Wagyu Temaki Hand Roll | American Wagyu with pickled ginger and spicy mayo | |
| Teriyaki Chicken Bun | Steamed bun with chicken, vegetables, and teriyaki sauce | |
| Mango-Apple Fruit Pearl (with chips) | Fruit pearls paired with wasabi-soy potato chips | |
| Greece | Chicken Souvlaki Gyro | Tomato-cucumber relish and tzatziki on warm pita |
| Spanakopita | Spinach and feta pie | |
| Griddled Cheese | With pistachios and honey | |
| Morocco (Tangierine Café) | Chermoula Chicken Hummus Bowl | Apricot chutney and shishito peppers with pita |
| Spiced Flank Steak Hummus Bowl | Harissa yogurt and roasted peppers | |
| Ras el Hanout Cauliflower Bowl | Chickpea salad and golden raisin relish (plant-based) | |
| Falafel Wrap | Tomato-cucumber relish and garlic sauce on Moroccan flatbread (plant-based) | |
| Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie | A festival sweet | |
| Belgium | Belgian Waffle | Cookie butter, whipped cream, and speculoos cookie pieces |
| Beer-Braised Beef | Served with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes | |
| Brazil | Moqueca de Camarão | Seared shrimp in a coconut milk broth with peppers and tomatoes, served with rice |
| Pão de Queijo | Brazilian cheese bread | |
| France | Boeuf Braisé | Red wine-braised short ribs with shallot confit and a potato gâteau |
| Spiced Brioche with Three-Cheese Mornay | A warm filled brioche | |
| Trio d’Escargots | Escargot bites in croissant dough with garlic-parsley dip | |
| Crème Brûlée Pistache | Pistachio crème brûlée with berry compote | |
| Canada | Cheddar and Bacon Soup | Served with a pretzel roll |
| Filet Mignon | With mushrooms and mashed potatoes | |
| La Poutinerie (hosted by Air Canada) | Seoul Bo Ssam Pork Poutine | Fries and cheese curds with bo ssam pork, gochujang gravy, and kimchi pickles |
| Shimmering Sips | Strawberry Champagne Trifle | A light, fruity dessert (plant-based) |
| Hawai’i | Slow-Roasted Pork Slider | Pineapple chutney and spicy mayo on a Hawaiian roll |
| Hawaiian Rice Bowl | SPAM, eggs, eel sauce, spicy mayo, and furikake | |
| Pineapple Cheesecake | Passion fruit curd and macadamia nuts |
Sip highlights: the Spiced Apple Slushy at La Poutinerie, the Mango Lassi at India, the Mango-Peach Bubble Tea at China, the Pumpkin Pie Milk Shake at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, the Spicy Strawberry-Mango Smoothie at Block & Hans, the Cinnamon Pretzel Cold Brew at Sommerfest, mimosa flights at Shimmering Sips, and the Amaretto Bellini at Italy.
Culinary Corridor and Throughout the Park
| Booth | Dish | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Bramblewood Bites | Brûléed Sweet Potatoes | Dried cranberries, walnut streusel, and orange goat cheese |
| Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin | Chili-apple butter and celeriac-apple slaw | |
| Cast Iron-Seared River Trout | Butternut squash purée, Brussels sprouts salad, and maple dressing | |
| Milled & Mulled | Butternut Squash and Ginger Bisque | Cinnamon cream and toasted pumpkin seeds |
| Carrot Cake | Walnuts and cream cheese icing | |
| Apple-Cinnamon and Caramel Mini Churros Sundae | With vanilla bean gelato | |
| Forest & Field | Spicy Black Bean-Mushroom Chili | Plant-based sour cream and cheddar with cornbread croutons (plant-based) |
| Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli | Brown butter vinaigrette, pecorino, and hazelnut praline | |
| Schiacciata Sandwich | Mortadella, prosciutto, stracciatella, and pistachio pesto on focaccia | |
| Swirled Showcase | Liquid Nitrogen Almond Truffle Mousse | Whiskey-caramel sauce |
| Soft-Serve in a Waffle Cone | Vanilla, apple-cinnamon, or salted caramel | |
| Frozen Szarlotka | Apple pie in a cup, with a non-alcoholic version | |
| Floats | Coca-Cola, Barq’s Red Crème Soda, or Fanta Grape with soft-serve | |
| Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company (four locations) | Affogato-Inspired Cold Brews | Four flavors: almond, sugar cane, caramel, and toasted marshmallow, each made with oat milk |
Emile’s Fromage Montage and “Cheers to Cheese!”
The 2026 festival leans hard into cheese. Emile’s Fromage Montage is a stamp-collecting game: buy any five cheese dishes marked in your Festival Passport, then bring the stamped passport to Shimmering Sips for a specialty souvenir. Because several qualifying booths open later, the list of eligible dishes is shorter in the first weeks of the festival.
Cheese fans should also visit CommuniCore Hall, where an interactive exhibit called “Cheers to Cheese!” runs September 18 through November 8. It celebrates the history and science of cheese and sits right beside The Wedge.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
The Eat to the Beat concerts run nightly on the America Gardens Theatre stage during Food & Wine. In 2026, they run August 27 through November 16, with shows at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 p.m. The lineup mixes nostalgic acts from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s with local favorites. The 2026 series includes Hanson, Yellowcard, New Found Glory, The Fray, Boyz II Men, and The Beach Boys, among many others.
Concerts are free with admission, and standby seating is first come, first served. The bigger names tend to appear in October and November, when crowds are also heavier. For a look at how packed a headliner night can get, see our piece on overcrowding at EPCOT’s Beach Boys concert. Dining packages guarantee seats and, in 2026, range from about $36 per adult at Regal Eagle Smokehouse to $99 at Le Cellier Steakhouse. Most restaurants land between $56 and $89, and most packages use one Table Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.
Comfort Check
Early-season Food & Wine is hot and humid, and the America Gardens Theatre has very little shade. Bring water, a hat, and a plan for the sun. Cooler October and November evenings are far more comfortable for both grazing and concerts.
Mobility Note
A full lap of World Showcase adds up to a lot of walking, with booths spread out across the park. Consider a rental scooter or wheelchair if walking long distances is difficult, and remember that many booths are in the open air.
Dietary Note
Plant-based options at the 2026 festival are sparse, spread across just a handful of booths. Plant-based items are marked on the menus. For allergy needs, speak with a Cast Member at the booth, since Disney does not guarantee any item is free of allergens.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November – December)
2026 dates: November 27 – December 30
The Festival of the Holidays opens the day after Thanksgiving and closes the day before New Year’s Eve. For many years, EPCOT’s seasonal celebration was called Holidays Around the World, and Holiday Kitchens joined the party in 2016. Today it blends storytelling, music, and food from cultures around the globe into what is arguably the most emotionally resonant festival of the year.
Candlelight Processional
This is the reason many people build entire trips around the festival. A celebrity narrator retells the Christmas story, accompanied by a massed choir of more than 150 Cast Members and community singers, the Voices of Liberty, and a live orchestra of about 50 musicians. An American Sign Language interpreter is on stage for every performance. The 2026 season marks the show’s 55th year at Walt Disney World and its 32nd at EPCOT.
Performances take place three times nightly at the America Gardens Theatre, at 4:45, 6:30, and 8:00 p.m. in 2026. The celebrity narrator changes every few days, so if there is someone you want to see, plan around the schedule.
2026 narrator lineup announced so far:
| Dates | Narrator |
|---|---|
| Nov 27 – 28 | Auli’i Cravalho |
| Nov 29 – Dec 1 | Gary Sinise |
| Dec 2 – 3 | To be announced |
| Dec 4 – 5 | Whoopi Goldberg |
| Dec 6 – 7 | Robin Roberts (new) |
| Dec 8 – 9 | Jason Kelce (new) |
| Dec 10 – 12 | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Dec 13 – 14 | To be announced |
More dates will be released later. Lacey Chabert is also among the new narrators debuting this season.
Budget Watch
Standby seating is free with park admission but fills up fast. A Candlelight Processional Dining Package guarantees a seat, and 2026 bookings open October 14 on Disney’s official page. Prices range from around $43 per adult at Regal Eagle Smokehouse to $109 at Le Cellier Steakhouse, with most restaurants falling between roughly $60 and $90. Of all EPCOT dining packages, this is the one most worth considering.
More Holiday Traditions
- World Showcase storytellers. Storytellers in the pavilions share holiday legends and lore from around the world.
- Live music. Expect performances like Joyful! A Celebration of the Season, a gospel, jazz, and R&B program covering Christmas and Kwanzaa traditions, and the Voices of Liberty in Dickens-style carols.
- The Holiday Cookie Stroll. Buy five qualifying cookies from different Holiday Kitchens, collect stamps in your Festival Passport, and redeem the completed passport for a bonus treat.
Planning around the crowds? Read what the week between Christmas and New Year’s is really like, and browse the most popular holiday decorations at Disney World for more seasonal inspiration.
Holiday Kitchens
The Holiday Kitchens serve dishes and drinks that reflect how different cultures celebrate the winter season. Disney has released only a small preview of the 2026 menus so far, with four returning booths and items:
| Booth | Confirmed Item |
|---|---|
| Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow | Seasonal milk shakes (flavors not yet revealed) |
| Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen | Creamy eggnog |
| La Poutinerie (formerly Refreshment Port) | Turkey poutine |
| Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen | Macarons (flavors not yet revealed) |
Menus Coming Soon
Full Holiday Kitchen menus have not been released yet, and Disney’s official Holiday Kitchens page is where they will appear first. We will update this section once Disney publishes them.
Concerts and Shows at EPCOT Festivals
Every one of the EPCOT festivals has a signature musical event. All of them are included with park admission on a first-come, first-served basis, and each offers an optional dining package for guaranteed seats.
| Festival | Series | Where | Typical Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festival of the Arts | Disney on Broadway Concert Series | America Gardens Theatre | Three shows each evening, Broadway performers singing Disney stage songs |
| Flower & Garden | Garden Rocks Concert Series | America Gardens Theatre | Complimentary concerts with well-known artists and local bands |
| Food & Wine | Eat to the Beat Concert Series | America Gardens Theatre | Nightly, three shows (5:30, 6:45, 8:00 p.m. in 2026), mix of nostalgic and local acts |
| Festival of the Holidays | Candlelight Processional | America Gardens Theatre | Three shows nightly (4:45, 6:30, 8:00 p.m. in 2026), rotating celebrity narrator |
Best Time to Visit EPCOT Festivals: Weather and Crowd Planner
The chart below pairs Orlando’s approximate average daytime highs with the EPCOT festivals running each month, and the table under it adds a general sense of what crowds tend to feel like. Treat the crowd column as a tendency rather than a forecast, since school calendars and holiday timing shift from year to year. For a deeper look at temperatures, see our Disney World weather by month guide, and for a value-minded angle, read why September is such a strong value stretch.
| Month | Approx. Avg High | Festival Running | General Crowd Tendency |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71°F | Arts (from mid-month) | Quieter after the holiday rush, busier on long weekends |
| February | 74°F | Arts | Moderate, with heavier weekends and a busy finale |
| March | 78°F | Flower & Garden (from about Mar 10) | Heavy during spring break |
| April | 83°F | Flower & Garden | Heavy around Easter |
| May | 88°F | Flower & Garden | Moderate, heavier on Memorial Day weekend |
| June | 91°F | None | Summer break crowds, hot and stormy |
| July | 92°F | None | Summer break crowds, hot and stormy |
| August | 92°F | Food & Wine (from late Aug) | Lighter as school resumes, but very hot |
| September | 90°F | Food & Wine | Often the quietest stretch of the year |
| October | 85°F | Food & Wine | Busier as weather cools and headliners arrive |
| November | 79°F | Food & Wine, then Holidays (from the day after Thanksgiving) | Moderate, then heavy around Thanksgiving |
| December | 74°F | Holidays | Heavy, especially the last two weeks |
Pace & Rest Strategy
If heat is your main concern, aim for Festival of the Arts, the early weeks of Flower & Garden, or Food & Wine in November. If crowds are your main concern, September is your friend, even with the extra heat. If you are tackling Food & Wine in late summer, build in a midday break at your resort and come back for the evening concerts.
EPCOT Festivals Compared Side by Side
| Festival of the Arts | Flower & Garden | Food & Wine | Festival of the Holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical window | Mid-Jan to early Mar | Early-to-mid Mar to late May | Late summer to mid-Nov | Day after Thanksgiving to Dec 30 |
| Best for | Art lovers, comfortable weather | Photography, spring scenery | Serious eating and drinking | Tradition, music, atmosphere |
| Food style | Colorful, art-inspired small plates | Lighter, brighter, produce-driven | Global, rich, and the widest selection | Seasonal, sweet-leaning |
| Signature entertainment | Disney on Broadway | Garden Rocks | Eat to the Beat | Candlelight Processional |
| Weather | The most comfortable | Lovely early, hot by late May | Hot early, cooler in November | Mild to cool evenings |
| Watch out for | Busy finale weekends | Spring break and Easter crowds | Later-opening booths, plant-based scarcity | Heaviest crowds around Thanksgiving and late December |
Dining Plan and Budget Tips for EPCOT Festivals
- Know the baseline. At Food & Wine, most food items cost $5 to $10 and drinks $6 to $16. Small plates add up quickly, so it helps to set a per-person budget before you start grazing. Our 2026 guide to what Disney World food really costs can help you plan.
- Use the Disney Dining Plan wisely. The Dining Plan returned in January 2024, and select festival items, marked in the menus, count as a snack credit. Concert dining packages generally use one Table Service credit, which can make them a bargain if you are already on the plan. See our breakdown of whether the Dining Plan is worth the money.
- Share everything. The portions are built for sampling. Splitting dishes lets you taste twice as much for the same money and stamina.
- Consider a gift card wristlet. For 2026, wearable Disney Gift Card wristlets are available at EPCOT merchandise locations with a minimum $15 activation, and they work at Global Marketplaces.
- Skip the dining package when you can. Outside of peak weekends and the more popular acts, arriving about 15 to 30 minutes early usually gets you a seat. Candlelight Processional is the exception where the package earns its keep.
Budget Watch
Admission to EPCOT festivals is included in your ticket, but the food is where costs add up. Decide up front whether you are grazing as a full meal or adding a few favorites to a normal day. Prices checked in September 2026 and subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EPCOT festivals included with park admission?
Yes. Access to the festival, along with topiaries, chalk art, storytellers, and standard concerts, is included with a regular EPCOT ticket. Food, drinks, and dining packages cost extra.
Are there any EPCOT festivals in summer?
Not a major one. After Flower & Garden ends around the end of May, the next of the big EPCOT festivals, Food & Wine, starts in late summer.
Which of the EPCOT festivals is best for first-timers?
It depends on what you want. Food & Wine is the best for eating and drinking, Flower & Garden for scenery and photography, Festival of the Arts for weather and a relaxed pace, and Festival of the Holidays for Candlelight Processional.
Do I need a dining package to see the concerts?
Usually not. Arriving 15 to 30 minutes early typically works on regular days. Dining packages make the most sense for Candlelight Processional, peak weekends, and popular acts.
Do the menus at EPCOT festivals change from year to year?
Yes. Some favorites return, but Disney refreshes the menus every year, and specific dates and prices can shift. Always confirm in the My Disney Experience app.
The Bottom Line on EPCOT Festivals
EPCOT works as a year-round destination because the EPCOT festivals give every season its own reason to visit. If you want cooler weather and creativity, book Festival of the Arts. If you want spring color and lighter bites, go for Flower & Garden. If you want to eat your way around the world, Food & Wine is unbeatable. And if you want one of Disney’s most moving traditions, the Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional are worth the trip on their own.
Whichever of the EPCOT festivals you choose, arrive with a plan, pace yourself, and share plates. Bring comfortable shoes, and leave a little room for dessert.