EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Guide
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Mar 9, 2025
- 17 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
🌸 2026 Festival Dates: March 4 – June 1, 2026
Last Updated: February 2026 — 2026 details and updated festival map added
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is EPCOT’s spring seasonal event, where the park fills with Disney character topiaries, themed gardens, outdoor kitchens, and nightly Garden Rocks concerts — all included with regular park admission.
Below you’ll find the 2026 festival dates along with our complete planning guide to help you decide when to visit, what to prioritize, and how to tour the festival without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’ve never visited EPCOT during a festival season, this one surprises a lot of guests. Instead of a separate ticketed event, Flower & Garden feels like the entire park has been redecorated for spring. Paths are lined with flowers, character topiaries appear around nearly every corner, and World Showcase turns into a relaxed stroll of snacks, music, and photo spots.
It’s honestly one of our favorite times of year to visit. The crowds tend to move slower, the atmosphere is calmer than Food & Wine, and there’s just enough going on to fill a full EPCOT day without feeling rushed.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Flower & Garden is one of the most peaceful festivals to enjoy — mornings especially are perfect for snapping photos with topiaries before the crowds (and temperatures) build later in the day!
Quick Festival Details – EPCOT Flower & Garden 2026
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2026 runs from March 4 through June 1 at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. The festival features Disney character topiaries, outdoor kitchens, gardens and exhibits, scavenger hunts, the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and seasonal entertainment — all included with regular park admission.
📅 March 4 – June 1, 2026
🌸 Character topiaries across EPCOT
🎶 Garden Rocks Concert Series
🍴 Seasonal outdoor kitchens
🦋 Butterfly Garden
🗺 Festival maps & scavenger hunts
Jump to a Section
Planning a visit to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? Skip straight to what you need:
• 🌼 Wrapping Up Your EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Planning
🌸 What’s New at the 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Each year the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival returns with familiar favorites — but Disney almost always sneaks in a few surprises too. For 2026, the festival is expanding beyond just flowers and food and leaning even more into interactive experiences across the park.
Here’s what’s newly confirmed for this year’s festival:
🌼 A New Day-to-Night Garden Experience in CommuniCore Hall
One of the biggest additions this year will be inside CommuniCore Hall. During the day, guests can explore a larger-than-life garden inspired by Spike the Bee. After sunset, the space transforms — flowers glow, fireflies appear, and elements of the garden change as night falls.
It’s designed to be both a walkthrough exhibit and a relaxing break from the crowds, and it should quickly become one of the more unique festival experiences EPCOT has offered.
🌿 New Festival Gardens Around the Park
The festival will feature more than 60 character topiaries and over 30 garden displays throughout World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase — and several brand-new gardens are joining the lineup:
Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden — landscaping ideas using plants that are safe for pets
Wildlife Crossing Garden — how gardens support natural habitats and wildlife
Trendy Tropicals Garden — colorful warm-climate plants and bold foliage
Camp Get Out ’N’ Play Garden — an interactive play area for kids to explore and climb
Rain or Shine Fruit Stand — a hands-on look at the water cycle and how crops grow
English Tea Garden Tours in the UK Pavilion — learn how tea plants are grown and blended
Returning favorites like Butterfly Landing and The Honey Bee-stro Garden will also be back.
🐝 Spike the Bee Activities Return
Families will once again be able to participate in Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration scavenger hunt, where guests search for Spike the Bee hidden throughout EPCOT’s gardens.
The Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt will also return, sending guests around World Showcase to locate character-themed eggs for a small prize at the end.
🎶 Garden Rocks Concert Series (Full 2026 Lineup Released)
The Garden Rocks Concert Series returns to the America Gardens Theatre with nightly performances included with park admission. As usual, a mix of nationally known bands and local Orlando artists will perform throughout the festival, with optional dining packages available for guaranteed seating.
(Full performer dates listed below in the Garden Rocks section.)
🛍️ New Festival Merchandise Collections
The festival will again feature themed merchandise collections, including Orange Bird and Spike the Bee items — typically some of the most popular seasonal merchandise EPCOT releases each year.
🍴 Outdoor Kitchens & Garden Graze
Outdoor Kitchens will return with fresh, garden-inspired dishes and drinks around World Showcase. Disney will release the full foodie guide closer to the festival opening, and the Garden Graze food stroll will once again allow guests to collect stamps in their festival passport and redeem them for a specialty treat.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The first two weeks of the festival often have the lowest crowds and the freshest flowers. If you want the best photos of the topiaries, aim for a weekday morning visit shortly after park opening.
How the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Works
While Disney adds new touches each spring, the overall structure of the Flower & Garden Festival stays wonderfully consistent from year to year. Once you understand how the festival is set up — where to find topiaries, how the food booths operate, and what experiences are included with admission — planning your visit becomes much easier.
Visiting during the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival doesn’t require a separate ticket — the festival takes place during regular park hours and most experiences are included with EPCOT admission. Think of Flower & Garden as a seasonal overlay to EPCOT rather than a separate ticketed event. Everything takes place during normal park hours, and most offerings — the gardens, topiaries, exhibits, and live entertainment — are included with regular EPCOT admission. The only extras you’ll pay for are food, merchandise, and optional activities like scavenger hunts or dining packages.
Below we’ll walk through the core parts of the festival so you know exactly what to expect when you visit.
If you’re planning a full park day, our complete EPCOT attractions guide can help you decide which rides to prioritize before slowing down to explore the festival.
Flower & Garden Festival Topiary Displays
Over 60 topiaries, depicting beloved Disney characters, populate the park during the Flower and Garden Festival. From classics like Mickey and Friends to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, park favorites like Figment to more modern characters like Mirabel or Tiana, these topiaries are truly a perfect blend of the beauty of the outdoors and the magic of Disney.
New for 2026:
Woody, Bo Peep & sheep
Lotso
Pixar Ball
Stitch
Mike & Sulley
Lightning McQueen & Mater
Topiary lineup changes slightly every year, with both returning favorites and rotating characters.
If character photos are a priority for your trip, our EPCOT character meet-and-greet guide shows where to find regular character locations year-round.
Flower & Garden Festival Gardens and Exhibits
What would a Flower and Garden Festival be without some actual gardens. Throughout the park you can find dedicated areas that feature unique garden displays. From a Bonsai Garden in Japan to a Desert Geden in Mexico, an English Tea Garden in the UK to a Gnome Garden in Germany and many many more. Must-See Gardens & Exhibits at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Throughout EPCOT you’ll find dedicated garden spaces designed to be explored — not just walked past. Some focus on horticulture, others are interactive for kids, and a few are surprisingly educational (in that very Disney way where you don’t even realize you’re learning).
Festival Blooms (World Celebration near the World Showcase bridge): As you head toward World Showcase, look to the right and you’ll find thousands of flowers arranged into sweeping, colorful panoramas. It’s one of the first big “wow” moments of the festival and a favorite photo spot early in the morning.
Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth (World Nature near the Imagination! Pavilion): One of the most popular experiences of the festival, this walk-through butterfly garden lets you observe dozens of butterfly species up close. Take your time — if you pause for a minute, you’ll often see them land on nearby flowers (and occasionally on guests!).
The Honey Bee-stro Garden hosted by the National Honey Board (World Nature along the Rose Walk): This exhibit highlights the importance of honeybees in our ecosystem and the role they play in the food we eat. It’s also located right near one of the festival food booths, which makes the theme even more fun to notice.
Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden: This playful garden explores plants that are safe for pets and backyard landscaping ideas for animal lovers. It’s a surprisingly useful exhibit — and a cute one — especially if you’ve ever wondered what you can safely plant at home with dogs around.
Wildlife Crossing Garden: This nature-focused garden highlights how wildlife interacts with plant environments and how natural habitats can be supported even in developed areas. Expect a more relaxed, shaded area that’s a nice break from walking the park.
Trendy Tropicals Garden: Bright colors, bold foliage, and warm-climate plants make this one of the most visually striking gardens at the festival. It’s a great reminder that not all “gardening” has to look traditional — and it photographs beautifully.
Camp Get Out ’N’ Play Garden presented by OFF! Repellents: This is one of the most family-friendly areas of the festival. Kids can climb, explore, and burn off energy while parents get a chance to sit for a minute. If you’re visiting with younger children, plan a stop here — it functions almost like a mini playground inside EPCOT.
Rain or Shine Fruit Stand presented by Outshine: This garden explains the water cycle and how weather affects growing crops. Disney somehow makes this educational without feeling like a lesson, and kids often enjoy it more than you’d expect.
English Tea Garden Tours presented by Twinings (UK Pavilion): A quieter but genuinely interesting exhibit, this garden walks you through the plants used in real tea blends and explains how tea is grown and prepared. It’s also one of the calmest areas in World Showcase if you need a breather.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The gardens are at their absolute best in the morning. Not only are temperatures cooler, but the plants are freshly watered and the lighting is perfect for photos — especially near World Showcase bridge and the butterfly garden.
Flower & Garden Festival Garden Activities
You can get in on the gardening excitement by joining in and taking advantage of these fun filled activities throughout the park!
Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration: - confirmed return (purchase map at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler): Search for Spike, the bumble bee, found in different flower beds (cause where else would a bumble bee be handing out) all around the World Showcase. When you finish you get a little prize.
Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt: confirmed return (purchase map at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler): Beginning March 5th hunt for giant eggs, featuring Disney characters, all around the World Showcase. If you find them all you can return your completed map for a special prize.
Flower & Garden Festival Outdoor Kitchens
Who doesn’t love food! A hallmark of all the Epcot festivals are the food booths, each festival has a range of booths offering food and drinks themed to the ongoing festival. At the Flower and Garden Festival, these Outdoor Kitchens take on a fresh flare, offering flavors straight out of the garden. Menus rotate annually but feature fresh, seasonal, garden-inspired dishes. Disney releases the full festival menu shortly before opening day each year, and we update this guide as soon as it is announced. You can get a preview of many perennial treats in out Food Booth Guide for 2025.
You can find all the different booths and their locations on our 2026 Festival Map. Most of the food booths and fun extras stay in the same locations, but we will be updating everything new as details are released.
Since most of the Outdoor Kitchens circle World Showcase Lagoon, it helps to understand the layout — our World Showcase pavilion guide breaks down what’s in each country and where to rest along the way.
Flower & Garden Festival Garden Graze Food Stroll
For this springtime foodie scavenger hunt, you’ll start by picking up a Festival Passport (available at park entrances and most merchandise locations). Inside, you’ll find the Garden Graze pages highlighting select menu items from several Outdoor Kitchens around EPCOT.
To participate, purchase any five featured Garden Graze dishes and have your passport stamped at each location. We’ve marked the participating booths on our festival map with a flower icon to make them easier to find as you explore World Showcase.
After collecting five stamps, head to Pineapple Promenade near World Showcase Plaza to redeem your completed passport for a specialty treat — a fun little reward (and honestly a nice snack break).
The Garden Graze is optional, but it’s one of the easiest ways to turn snacking around EPCOT into a game, especially for kids and first-time festival visitors.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: You don’t have to complete the Garden Graze in one day. As long as you keep your passport, you can collect stamps across multiple EPCOT visits during the festival.
The Garden Graze typically returns each year with a refreshed lineup. We’ll update the featured items list here once Disney releases the 2026 Foodie Guide.
Flower & Garden Festival Entertainment
Entertainment schedules may vary year to year — check My Disney Experience for daily times.
Jammin’ Gardeners (World Discovery)
Do you know about the JAMMitors? The group of "janitors" that make some incredible syncopated sounds drumming on their trashcans. For the Flower & Garden festival they turn into the Jammin' Gardener. You can find them in World Discovery beating out their dynamic music at various times throughout the day, check your MDE app for showtimes.
“Beacon of Magic” (Evenings in World Celebration)
As night falls at Epcot, make your way to Spaceship Earth for a special treat during the Flower & Garden Festival! In recent festivals, Spaceship Earth has featured "Beacon of Magic" transforming Spaceship Earth with vibrant floral patterns and shapes, all set to the tune of "What Else Can I Do?" from Disney’s Encanto. This performance cycles through the evening, so no need to worry about timing. Just head over after sunset and enjoy the shimmering spectacle until the park closes!
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Another staple at each of the Epcot festivals is the evening concert series held at the American Garden Theater in the American Pavilion. The Garden Rocks Concert Series features popular, more well known, artists on the weekends and local artists on weekdays. Who is performing changes frequently, but you are sure to have a blast at this concert, offered daily at 5:00pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm.
Garden Rocks Concert Series Line Up
Disney has officially released the 2026 Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup, featuring a mix of returning favorites and first-time performers at the America Gardens Theatre.
Confirmed Artists & Dates
March 5–7: The Music of ABBA [NEW for 2026]
March 8–9: Simple Plan
March 13–14: Blue October
March 15–16: Billy Ocean
March 20–23: THE ORCHESTRA starring former members of ELO & ELO Part II
March 27–28: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
March 29–30: 38 Special
April 3–4: Chubby Checker
April 5–6: Sugar Ray
April 10–11: Information Society [NEW for 2026]
April 12–13: Rick Springfield
April 17–18: Berlin
April 19–20: The Commodores
April 24–25: FireHouse [NEW for 2026]
April 26–27: Air Supply
May 1–2: A Flock of Seagulls
May 3–4: Plain White T’s
May 8–9: Katrina, formerly of Katrina & The Waves (NEW)
May 10–11: 98 Degrees
May 15–16: The Spinners
May 17–18: Josiah Queen [NEW for 2026]
May 22–23: Iam Tongi [NEW for 2026]
May 24–25: A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce
May 29–30: Queensrÿche
May 31–June 1: Maverick City Music
🍽️ Garden Rocks Dining Packages
If you plan to watch one of the popular Garden Rocks concerts, the Garden Rocks Dining Package can be one of the most useful upgrades at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.
Instead of waiting in a standby line (which can easily run 45–90 minutes for well-known bands), the dining package guarantees a seat in a reserved concert section later that same day.
Here’s how it works:
Book a participating EPCOT restaurant
Enjoy a full meal (entrée and dessert or buffet, plus a beverage)
Receive a reserved seating pass for a Garden Rocks concert performance that evening
You’ll still enter the theater with the reserved-seating group, but your wait is dramatically shorter — and you won’t have to give up half your afternoon holding a spot.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you already plan to eat a table-service meal in EPCOT, the dining package is often only slightly more expensive than the meal alone — but it saves you from waiting in a very long concert line.
🌼 2026 Garden Rocks Dining Package Details
Reservations opened February 5, 2026 in My Disney Experience and on the Walt Disney World website.
Prices vary by restaurant and time of day. Most locations fall roughly in the $55–$90 adult range, with signature restaurants costing more.
Participating Restaurants (2026)
World Showcase Restaurants
Biergarten Restaurant (Germany)
Chefs de France (France)
La Crêperie de Paris (France)
La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico)
Nine Dragons Restaurant (China)
Rose & Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom)
Spice Road Table (Morocco)
Tutto Italia Ristorante (Italy)
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy)
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (Japan)
Teppan Edo (Japan)
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada — premium dining credit)
World Nature / World Discovery
Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
American Adventure Pavilion
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day packages only)
Participating restaurants can change slightly from year to year, and we update this list as Disney confirms adjustments.
Same-Day Dining Package Option
If you didn’t make reservations in advance, EPCOT usually offers a limited same-day dining package at Regal Eagle Smokehouse.
This allows you to:
Order a meal without a reservation
Receive a reserved seating pass for a concert later that evening
Availability varies by day and popular performers may sell out, but it’s a very useful backup plan if you decide last-minute that you want guaranteed seating.
Is the Dining Package Worth It?
For less popular bands, standby seating is usually manageable.
For recognizable acts (98 Degrees, Sugar Ray, Air Supply, etc.), the package can easily save an hour or more of waiting— especially on weekends and spring break weeks.
Families, guests who don’t want to stand in line, and anyone planning a relaxing EPCOT day typically benefit the most.
Flower & Garden Festival Living with the Land Ride Overlay
Flower & Garden has historically included a seasonal Living with the Land overlay, though Disney does not confirm it every year. As you glide through the ride, keep your eyes peeled for Moana’s boat, adorned with an array of plants and fruits—and an oar signed by none other than Maui himself! Next be on the lookout for Belle’s cherished storybook, feather duster, enchanted mirror, scrumptious pastries, and, yes, that iconic candelabra! Rapunzel has left traces of her artistic flair within the ride as well. Keep an eye out for her vibrant paintings—and see if you can spot not just one, but four Pascals. let your imagination flourish as you discover each hidden gem throughout your journey.
Flower & Garden Festival Photo Ops & Photopass Magic Shots:
Stop by and get your photo taken with one of the many photopass photographers around the park, ready to take your photo with some of the topiaries or there to add some vibrant garden flare to your photos. Magic Shot offerings vary by year.
Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise
Each festival has unique merchandise on sale each year to look out for. The Flower and Garden Festival this year has a few different collections. Each year features collections themed to Orange Bird and Spike the Bee, with rotating seasonal designs and Annual Passholder exclusives.
EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Festival Map and Cheat Sheet
🌸 Current Festival Map (2026 Season)
When planning out our own Festival Experience we spent some time looking for the perfect map to tell us where the different booths were for our libations and snacking, and also where we could sit and beat the heat or the rain. We couldn't find exactly what we wanted, so we put one together ourselves! Here it is for you both online and as a downloadable pdf.
You can also find the Flower & Garden map in our full EPCOT festival maps hub along with our Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, and Festival of the Holidays if you’re comparing different times of year to visit.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Flower & Garden uses a very consistent layout each year, so most booth and activity locations stay the same. We’ll keep this 2026 festival map updated as Disney confirms new offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
When is the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival in 2026?
The 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 4 through June 1, 2026 at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.
Is the Flower & Garden Festival included with park admission?
Yes. The festival takes place during regular EPCOT park hours and most offerings — including topiaries, gardens, exhibits, and live entertainment — are included with standard park admission. Food, merchandise, and optional activities like scavenger hunts or dining packages cost extra.
What is the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival?
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a spring seasonal event featuring Disney character topiaries, themed gardens, outdoor food kitchens, live concerts, and family activities throughout the park. Think of it as EPCOT decorated for spring with extra experiences layered on top of the normal attractions.
Is the Flower & Garden Festival worth visiting?
For many guests, yes — especially first-time visitors. The festival adds entertainment, photo opportunities, and food options without requiring a separate ticket, and spring typically brings milder weather and longer daylight hours.
What are the Outdoor Kitchens?
Outdoor Kitchens are temporary festival food booths located around World Showcase and other EPCOT neighborhoods. They serve small plates, desserts, and drinks inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients and garden flavors.
What is the Garden Graze?
The Garden Graze is a food stroll activity. Guests purchase select featured dishes from participating booths and collect stamps in a festival passport. After earning enough stamps, you can redeem the passport for a specialty treat.
Do you need reservations for the Garden Rocks concerts?
No reservations are required to watch the concerts — they’re included with park admission and have standby seating. However, a Garden Rocks Dining Package guarantees a seat in a reserved section and can save significant wait time for popular performers.
How much time should you plan for the Flower & Garden Festival?
Most visitors experience the festival alongside a normal EPCOT day. You can see highlights in a few hours, but many guests prefer a full day to explore the gardens, try food booths, and watch a concert.
🌼 Wrapping Up Your EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Planning
Flower & Garden really is one of the prettiest (and most relaxing!) times to experience EPCOT — whether you’re coming specifically for the topiaries and outdoor kitchens or just happen to be visiting during peak bloom season. Between the gorgeous gardens, seasonal snacks, live music, and lighter spring crowd vibes, this festival adds an extra layer of magic to an already incredible park.
As Disney releases details each year, we’ll be updating this guide with confirmed menus, the Garden Rocks concert lineup, topiary locations, special exhibits, and—of course—our latest Pixie Dust Pro Tips to help you maximize your festival days.
While you’re planning, don’t forget to check out our other EPCOT guides to round out your trip prep:
🌍 Explore the World Showcase Pavilions👉 Our complete country-by-country guide to shopping, dining, entertainment, and hidden gems around the lagoon
🎢 EPCOT Attractions Guide 👉 Everything you’ll want to ride — from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to Living with the Land and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
📸 EPCOT Character Meet & Greets 👉 Where to find Mickey, princesses, rare characters, and surprise encounters throughout the park — plus best times to visit
🗺️ EPCOT Festival Maps & Planning Hub 👉 Updated festival maps for Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, and Festival of the Holidays
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Festival days are perfect for a “ride early / snack late” strategy — knock out headliners in the morning, then slow down and snack your way around World Showcase as the topiaries hit their golden-hour glow.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim🧚♀️
P.S. - Planning a spring Disney trip?
Flower & Garden is one of the easiest times of year to visit — but it also overlaps with spring break crowds, changing prices, and a lot of planning decisions (tickets, park days, dining, and Lightning Lanes).
If you’d like help figuring out when to go, where to stay, or how to build your park days around the festival, I’m happy to help. When you book your trip through me, I’ll walk you through resort options, tickets, park days, and how to tour the festival — at no additional cost to you.
✨ You can start here: Book with Bren — Free Vacation Planning Help
And if you’re still in the early research stage:
