EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2026 Guide: Dates and Sneak Peaks of New and Returning Fun
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Jan 20, 2025
- 15 min read
Updated: Jan 18
Last updated: January 18, 2026 (Opening Weekend)
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is officially underway for 2026, and this guide has been updated with opening-weekend details, confirmed locations, and real-world planning insights to help you experience the festival with confidence.
This year’s festival runs January 16 – February 23, 2026 and celebrates visual, culinary, and performing arts across EPCOT — featuring 20 Food Studios, live performance art, interactive activities, artist marketplaces, and the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, all included with regular park admission.
✨ What’s new or notable for Festival of the Arts 2026:
Drawing on Inspiration, a brand-new Imagineering concept art exhibit located between World Celebration and World Discovery
Disney Lorcana’s Festival debut, including the Ink & Find scavenger hunt and a new card-collection and trading experience in the Morocco Pavilion
Expanded festival programming in CommuniCore Hall, now a central hub for visual and Broadway-themed exhibits
Updated Colorful Cuisine dishes, Food Studio menus, and Broadway Dining Package pricing for 2026
This guide covers everything officially available for the 2026 Festival of the Arts, plus:
a planning map updated with opening-day information,
Food Studio strategy and Colorful Cuisine tips,
performance locations and timing notes,
and practical advice to help you plan before you arrive.
Why Festival of the Arts is one of EPCOT’s most special events 🎭
One of our favorite things about visiting Walt Disney World is experiencing the EPCOT festivals—each with its own unique personality and flair. 🌸 From the vibrant blooms and fresh flavors of Flower & Garden, to the global tastes of Food & Wine, to the cozy sparkle of Festival of the Holidays, EPCOT truly transforms with every season.
But the festival that feels like pure Disney creativity in motion? ✨That honor belongs to Festival of the Arts.
Now officially open for 2026, this is EPCOT’s shortest festival — and one of its most inspiring. Cooler winter temperatures and generally lighter crowds make it an ideal time to stroll the park and soak up the creativity. Everywhere you look, EPCOT bursts with color and imagination, from artist marketplaces and sidewalk chalk masterpieces to culinary creations and Broadway-caliber performances.
TL/DR — EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2026: January 16–February 23 at EPCOT, featuring 20 Food Studios, Disney on Broadway concerts, live performance art, interactive activities, new CommuniCore Hall exhibits, Disney Lorcana experiences, and an updated festival planning map — all included with park admission.
🎨 Opening Weekend Notes (Jan 16–18, 2026): Food Studio lines build quickly midday, CommuniCore Hall is now a central festival hub, and Lorcana promo items are limited early in the day. We’ll continue updating this guide as the festival runs.
🔎 Quick Jump Guide: EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2026
🍽️ Food Studios
Who doesn’t love food?! A huge part of every EPCOT festival is the Food Studios — but at Festival of the Arts, presentation is part of the magic. These dishes aren’t just tasty… they’re literal artwork you can eat.
This year, you’ll find 20 Food Studios (plus additional festival bites sprinkled around the park). Some returning favorites we’re excited about:
Pop Eats — tomato soup + grilled cheese glow-up (pimento cheese, bacon, and fried green tomato 😍)
Craftsman’s Courtyard — perfectly seared pork belly
Deconstructed Dish — that fan-favorite deconstructed BLT
Goshiki — the iconic sushi donut
Deco Delights — Neapolitan dessert trio perfection
Figment’s Inspiration Station — the rainbow cake that always gets a line
Food is a huge part of Festival of the Arts — but strategy matters. Our 2026 Festival of the Arts Food Guide covers every menu by location, plus Colorful Cuisine tips, dessert picks, and planning advice to help you pace your day.
🌈 The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
Take part in what Disney views as some of the most colorful dishes of the festival.
For this journey into colorful cuisine, you’ll use your Festival Passport (grab one at kiosks all over the park) to hunt down select featured dishes at various Food Studios. To make it easy, we mark every participating Studio on our map with a little rainbow icon — so you can spot them at a glance.
Here’s how it works:
buy any 5 of the featured dishes
get your stamp for each one
once you’ve collected all 5 stamps, head to Deco Delights (World Showcase Plaza near Port of Entry)
show your completed stamps → and you’ll receive a you’ll receive a complimentary festival treat.!
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine is one of our favorite ways to explore the festival — it’s like a little scavenger hunt that mixes art, flavor, and bright pops of color into one super fun challenge.
🌈 2026 Colorful Cuisine Qualifying Dishes
The following dishes are officially part of the 2026 Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine.
🌈 Opening Bites Enchanted Rose — Dark chocolate mousse rose
🌈 The Deconstructed Dish Deconstructed Key Lime Pie — Key lime curd, key lime gelée, toasted meringue, graham cracker crumbs, and waffle cone trianglesNew for 2026
🌈 Figment’s Inspiration Station at The Odyssey Popcorn, Popcorn Chicken and Waffles — Rainbow popcorn, popcorn chicken, mini mozzarella, and maple syrupNew for 2026Color Scheme Cake — Fruit-flavored rainbow cake topped with SKITTLES® POP’d Sour and Original freeze-dried candyNew for 2026
🌈 Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina Chorizo and Potato Empanada with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli
🌈 Gourmet Landscapes Citrus-braised Beet Tartare with golden beet “egg yolk,” mustard vinaigrette, pickled mushrooms, pistachios, and “feta” snow(Plant-based)
🌈 Deco Delights Sparkling Spectacle Gâteau — Vanilla bean mousse with caramel center and apricot jam on a hazelnut cookieNew for 2026
🌈 Swirled Showcase Liquid Nitrogen Minnie Cake Pop — Cotton candy sponge cake, white chocolate ganache, and colorful chocolate splatsNew for 2026
🎭 Performing Arts
Epcot’s Festival of the Arts is a celebration of all forms of art - and for 2026, some of these experiences are shifting locations around EPCOT as CommuniCore Hall continues to play a bigger role in festival programming.
🎭 Performing Arts – World Showcase Plaza
World Showcase Plaza continues to host select live performing arts during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. These performances rotate throughout the day and highlight music, movement, and physical artistry inspired by creativity and expression.
Art Defying Gravity (Saturday through Wednesday – check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes) Marvel at incredible feats of strength, agility, and acrobatics in this high-energy performance.
Musical Performances (Daily – check the My Disney Experience app for times) Enjoy live music performances scheduled between other festival entertainment offerings in the plaza area.
🎨 Performing Arts – CommuniCore Hall (NEW for 2026)
New for 2026, CommuniCore Hall becomes a central hub for Festival of the Arts performing and visual experiences. This indoor space allows guests to watch artists create in real time while also hosting rotating festival exhibits and special programming.
Visual Art in Performance - CommuniCore Plaza. Watch visiting artists create incredible works of art right before your eyes, showcasing techniques across different artistic styles and mediums. This experience allows guests to see the creative process unfold live — a signature element of Festival of the Arts. Note: This is a live demo of art creation, not a static display — and performance times and locations can shift slightly day-to-days.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re planning your Festival of the Arts day around performances, keep an eye on CommuniCore Hall/Plaza in the My Disney Experience app — several visual and Broadway-themed experiences are now centered there for 2026.
🎨 Drawing on Inspiration: NEW Concept Art Exhibit
One of the quieter new additions to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in 2026 is Drawing on Inspiration, a concept art exhibit that gives you a peek behind the scenes of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Located in the breezeway between World Celebration and World Discovery (near Creations Shop and Club Cool), this walk-through display highlights how Disney ideas begin — with concept art, sketches, and early creative vision — long before they ever become attractions or lands.
If you love Disney details, storytelling, or the “how did they even come up with this?” side of the parks, this is a really fun stop. It’s not a performance or a class — just a chance to slow down, soak in the artwork, and appreciate the creative process that brings Disney magic to life.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This exhibit is easy to miss while walking between festival areas, so keep an eye out as you move between World Celebration and World Discovery — it’s a perfect low-key stop when you want a break from crowds and booths
🖼️ 2026 Art All Around You
In addition to the artistic food, performances, activities, and goodies for sale all around Epcot, there are also a number of artistic enhancements that can be found all around.
Chalk Art Galleries (bridge to World Showcase Plaza): local artists are invited to create amazing works of chalk art right on the walkway to the World Showcase. Availability may vary based on weather and artist schedules.
Chalk Full of Characters: Keep your eyes peeled for Disney characters rendered throughout the World Showcase. These hidden gems can be found on walls, walkways, and even signs.
Character Meet and Greet Art: Another special festival flair can be found at most of the character meet and greet locations, where special art corresponding to character is featured.
🎨 2026 Artful Activities
You can get in on the color fun by joining in and taking advantage of these art filled activities throughout the park!
Animation Academy (American Gardens Theater) Learn how to draw some of your favorite Disney characters in this class taught by a Disney animator. This is a popular activity, so if you want to participate, arrive early.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt (Purchase your map for $11.99 + tax at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler), then search for Figment featured in popular works of art with a Figment-y twist. around the World Showcase. When you finish you get a little prize.
Paint By Numbers Mural Contribute to a paint by numbers mural, you’ll stand in line to receive a little paint cup, paint brush, and coordinated number to paint, then you will go paint your square. Over time the mural is collectively filled in by the many guests who come by. This is a cute little fun and free activity.
Artful Photo Ops & Photopass Magic Shots Find yourself the center of famous paintings or get photos with fun magical add ons unique to the Festival of the Arts.
Kids Chalk Art Section: Let your kids let their inner picasso out, contributing to the sidewalk chalk art near CommuniCore Hall.
🎴 Disney Lorcana at Festival of the Arts (New for 2026)
New for 2026, Disney Lorcana makes its EPCOT International Festival of the Arts debut with art-focused, family-friendly activities that celebrate the stunning illustrations behind Disney’s collectible trading card game. Inspired by both classic and modern Disney characters, Lorcana’s presence at the festival puts the spotlight on creativity and visual storytelling—no gameplay knowledge required.
INK & FIND: Lorcana Scavenger Hunt
One of the main highlights is the Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt, which invites guests to discover ten larger-than-life Disney Lorcana trading cards hidden throughout EPCOT. As you explore the park, you’ll place ink stickers in a complimentary Festival Questbook to mark where you’ve found each matching card.
Once you’ve located all ten, return your completed Questbook to a Cast Member at Illumineer’s Lounge in the Morocco Pavilion or Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey to receive a special keepsake: the Rapunzel – Appreciative Artist (Magical Places) promo card (while supplies last).
Lorcana Collection Quest & Card Trading (Morocco Pavilion)
In addition to Ink & Find, the festival also introduces a Lorcana Collection Quest and card-trading experiencecentered around Illumineer’s Lounge in the Morocco Pavilion. Here, guests can open Disney Lorcana booster packs, trade cards with other fans, and take part in a more interactive Lorcana experience that still keeps the focus on the artwork rather than competitive gameplay.
This location also serves as a redemption point for select festival-exclusive Lorcana promo cards, making it a must-visit stop for collectors and curious newcomers alike.
Larger-than-life card displays, themed locations, and art-forward photo ops make Disney Lorcana a fun stop for longtime fans—and an easy, low-pressure introduction for guests discovering the game for the first time.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: You don’t have to finish the Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt all at once. Keep an eye out for Lorcana cards as you move between Food Studios and performances, then turn in your completed Questbook later in the day.
🎭 Disney on Broadway Concert Series - Returning for 2026
Concert at the America Gardens Theatre: Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Broadway artists perform medleys of Disney Broadway hits!
Another signature piece of every EPCOT festival is the evening concert series at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. And for us? The Festival of the Arts version is pure magic — because this is where Disney on Broadway takes center stage. 🎭
As lifelong Disney and Broadway fans, this is the part of the festival that feels like it was made just for us. There is nothing quite like watching real Disney on Broadway stars perform showstoppers from hits like The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and more.
The exact set list varies by night — so every performance feels different — but the energy is always electric and the crowd is always into it. Concerts are offered daily at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM, and they’re included with EPCOT admission.
FULL LINEUP for the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concert Series
Disney has officially announced the star-studded performer list for the 2026 Disney on Broadway Concert Series at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts — including SIX new performers debuting this year! The festival runs January 16 – February 23, 2026 and concerts take place nightly at America Gardens Theatre (included with park admission). Subject to change without notice.
2026 Disney on Broadway Concert Series Schedule
Isabelle McCalla (“Aladdin”) – NEW! & Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
January 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27
Sierra Boggess (“The Little Mermaid”) – NEW! & Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
January 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29
Anastacia McCleskey (“Tarzan”) – NEW! & Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
January 30; February 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10
Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) & Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”)
January 31; February 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12
Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”) – NEW! & Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”)
February 13, 15, 16, 19
Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”) – NEW! & James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”) – NEW!
February 14, 17, 18, 20, 21
Finale Weekend — ALL FOUR! Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”), Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”), Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”), James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”)
February 22, 23
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages - Returning for 2026
Grab an ADR for a Disney on Broadway Dining Package and pair a delicious meal from one of 15 EPCOT restaurants plus guaranteed priority seating at one of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series shows.
With a Dining Package, guests receive:
A full meal from select EPCOT table-service restaurants — typically an entrée and dessert or one full buffet, plus one non-alcoholic beverage (and alcoholic beverage for guests 21+) as part of the package. (At Spice Road Table, the package includes two small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter, and a beverage.)
One guaranteed seat per person at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series show on the same day as your meal.
After your meal, you’ll receive a concert seating badge specifying your reserved showtime, and Dining Package guests enter the America Gardens Theatre via a priority queue with guaranteed seating
Dining Packages opened for booking on December 17, 2025 and are available now for Festival dates
There are 15 participating EPCOT restaurants offering Disney on Broadway Dining Packages, including favorites like Biergarten Restaurant, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, La Crêperie de Paris, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown Dining Room, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, and more.
Same-day Dining Packages may be available without advance reservations at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (subject to availability), which gives you last-minute guaranteed concert seating the same day you dine.
🍽️ Disney on Broadway Dining Package Restaurants & Pricing (2026)
💡 Prices below reflect 2026 starting ranges published by Disney and may vary by restaurant, meal, and date. All prices are per person, plus tax and gratuity where applicable.
Restaurant (Location) | Adult (10 +) | Child (3 – 9) | Dining Plan Credits |
Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion) | $66 | $35 | 1 Table Service |
Chefs de France (France Pavilion) | $81 | $33 | 1 Table Service |
Coral Reef Restaurant (The Living Seas) | $73 | $29 | 1 Table Service |
Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land Pavilion) — Breakfast | $66 | $40 | 1 Table Service |
Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land Pavilion) — Lunch/Dinner | $77 | $49 | 1 Table Service |
La Crêperie de Paris (France Pavilion) | $56 | $30 | 1 Table Service |
La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico Pavilion) | $82 | $37 | 1 Table Service |
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion) | $99 | $39 | 2 Table Service |
Nine Dragons Restaurant (China Pavilion) | $60 | $23 | 1 Table Service |
Rose & Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion) | $61 | $26 | 1 Table Service |
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (Japan Pavilion) | $89 | $45 | 1 Table Service |
Spice Road Table (Morocco Pavilion) | $56 | $21 | 1 Table Service |
Teppan Edo (Japan Pavilion) | $89 | $45 | 1 Table Service |
Tutto Italia Ristorante (Italy Pavilion) | $77 | $29 | 1 Table Service |
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy Pavilion) | $65 | $28 | 1 Table Service |
Regal Eagle Smokehouse (American Adventure) — same-day only | $36 | $21 | Not Eligible |
Pricing excludes tax & gratuity. Reservations for advance Dining Packages opened December 17, 2025.
New for 2026 - Once Upon a Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway
CommuniCore Hall will be showing off again during Festival of the Arts, featuring the Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway exhibit.
This immersive mini-exhibit pulls back the curtain on the artistry that brings Disney stories to life on stage — from early sketches and costume design to the props and set pieces that make Broadway magic happen. You’ll be able to browse authentic show elements and peek into behind-the-scenes moments from iconic productions like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast — it’s a must-see for theatre lovers.
Last year CommuniCore was home to Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway exhibit. This first of its kind exhibit celebrated the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Broadway shows, full of displays of props and costumes from the different Broadway shows over the last 30 years. Costumes from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Mary Poppins, and Hercules were featured as well as the Enchanted Rose from Beauty and the Beast and many puppets from The Lion King.
Festival of the Arts Merchandise — First Look for 2026
Disney has released an early preview of the Festival of the Arts merchandise coming to EPCOT for the 2026 event (January 16 – February 23). The collection features vibrant Figment-themed items celebrating creativity and color — including a spirit jersey, ear headband, baseball hat, ornament, Figment plush, Loungefly bag, and themed water bottle and mug. More items are expected as the festival opening approaches, with products available at Creations Shop and Festival-specific kiosks across EPCOT.
🖼 Art Marketplaces & Featured Artists
All around the park you’ll find festival markets and artist galleries full of artwork available for purchase — from unique pieces by Disney artists to prints and creations from invited independent artists. These offerings range from classic Disney themes to broader styles, and there’s something for every taste.
In addition to browsing the art marketplaces, Disney has released an official lineup of new and returning featured artists coming to the 2026 Festival of the Arts. Guests can see artwork from these creators throughout the festival and often meet artists for signings and demonstrations — adding another immersive layer to the artistic atmosphere.
2026 Epcot: International Festival of the Arts Map
When planning our own Festival of the Arts day, we went looking for a map that showed where all the Food Studios were (priorities 😄), plus good places to sit and take a break from the heat or rain. Since Disney doesn’t provide a Festival of the Arts map online — only in-park signage — we decided to create one ourselves.
This planning map is designed to help you get organized before your trip, highlighting booth locations, activities, and performances, and it’s available both online and as a downloadable PDF.
Our 2026 Festival of the Arts map includes everything Disney has officially released so far, along with Food Studio locations that generally stay the same from year to year. We’ll keep this updated as new details are announced, so you’ll always have the latest information for planning your visit.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Festival details often roll out in waves. This guide and map include everything confirmed for 2026 so far, and we’ll keep updating them as Disney releases new information.
❓ Is Festival of the Arts good for first-time EPCOT visitors?
Answer: Yes. Festival of the Arts is one of the easiest EPCOT festivals for first-time visitors to enjoy. It’s shorter than other festivals, typically has lighter crowds, and offers flexible experiences you can enjoy at your own pace — from food booths and art displays to live performances and Broadway concerts.
Is Festival of the Arts busy on opening weekend?
Opening weekend tends to be busier than weekdays, especially around Food Studios and Broadway concerts. Mornings are quieter, with lines building late morning through early evening. Visiting midweek or earlier in the day offers a more relaxed experience
TD/DR❓ EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2026: Quick Answers
Dates: January 16 – February 23, 2026
Park: EPCOT
Included with admission: Yes
Food Studios: 20 + additional festival bites
Disney on Broadway concerts: Nightly, included with admission
Festival map: Posted in-park only (planning map provided here)
✨ That's a Wrap: EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2026
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is one of those events that reminds us why EPCOT is so special — a place where food, creativity, storytelling, and imagination all come together. From colorful Food Studios and live performances to artist galleries, Broadway concerts, and hands-on activities, this festival offers something a little different around every corner.
With cooler winter weather, lighter crowds compared to other festivals, and so many ways to explore at your own pace, Festival of the Arts is a fantastic time to visit — whether you’re a first-timer or a longtime EPCOT fan. We’ll continue updating this guide and our planning map as Disney releases more details for 2026, so be sure to check back as your trip gets closer.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Festival of the Arts is best enjoyed slowly — snack a little, watch a performance, browse an artist booth, and let the creativity lead the way.
If you’re planning a winter visit, you may also want to check out our Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2026, EPCOT International Festival Planning Guides, and EPCOT Planning Hub for more trip-planning help.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 🧚♀️
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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