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Epcot Festivals 101


I finally achieved a lifelong goal of mine, to attend each and every one of Epcot's festivals in the same year (there are four, and I'm not local!) And now that I've successfully done each one, I wanted to give a run down of the basics of each festival to help you plan your next trip to the one that suits you best!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Season: Winter
Focus: Art in all forms
Food: Food Studios that display food as art
Foodie stroll: Color Walk
Entertainment: Disney on Broadway
For Kids: Paint the mural and other hands-on art activities

This festival is the first of the calendar year, running from mid-January to late February but wrapping up before spring (and Spring Break crowds) really hit Florida.  The focus for this festival is art, artists and color! It is also the newest festival, so it seems like they are still really solidifying it which is exciting to see how it changes year after year.  This festival brings some of the most beautiful food, but doesn't have quite as many food booths as some of the others.  There are artist booths set up so it's great for shopping and finding a unique souvenir, and there are also places you can make or be a part of the art as well!

Selection of items from the Pop Eats booth
Read about my experience here and this year's festival here.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Season: Spring into Summer
Focus: Gardens, Flowers and Seasonal Delights
Food: Outdoor Kitchens with seasonal and fresh offerings
Great for: Gardeners and photographers
Foodie stroll: Garden Graze
Entertainment: Garden Rocks Concert Series
For Kids: Interactive gardens and playgrounds

Epcot never looks as beautiful as it does during the Flower and Garden Festival. There are colorful flowers planted everywhere and gorgeous topiaries and gardens to explore throughout the park. This festival has really grown over the years through adding the "Outdoor Kitchens" (food booths) and just the length of it in general, it has clearly shown its popularity and staying power. If hard pressed, I think I'd have to choose this as my favorite one, but they are all amazing!

Topiary in Norway
Flatbread from the Honey Bee-stro
Vegan Street Corn
Read about my experience here.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Season: Summer into Fall
Focus: Food, Wine and International Inspiration
Food: Global Marketplaces featuring international inspired cuisine
Great for: Foodies
Foodie stroll: Emile's Fromage Montage
Entertainment: Eat to the Beat Concert Series
For Kids: Remy's Hide and Squeak and new for 2022, Pluto's Pumpkin Hunt (October)

The festival that started it all.  The "Food and Wine Festival" as it is affectionately known, is the biggest one and lasts several months.  There is even a RunDisney event during the festival.  There are tons of Global Marketplaces around World Showcase to explore and it also spills into World Discovery, World Celebration and World Nature (formerly known as Future World).  You can try all sorts of delights from escargot from the France marketplace to fried SPAM from the Hawaii marketplace. In years past, the festival also included culinary seminars, special events, and more to indulge in that we are hopeful will return in coming years!

Wine Flight from Spain
Flavors from Fire is always a hit

Read about my experience here.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Season: Late November to December
Focus: Holiday Cheer
Food:  Holiday Kitchens featuring holiday favorites
Great for: Getting into the holiday spirit
Foodie stroll: Cookie Stroll
Entertainment: Candlelight Processional and Holiday Storytellers
For Kids: Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

There's something just extra magical about Walt Disney World during the Holiday season, and Epcot has really amped up their holiday cheer in recent years.  If you have a sweet tooth, I'd say this might just be the best festival for you as so many holiday foods are sweet in nature.  Not only is the Foodie Stroll all desserts, there are many other cookies, cakes and delights to take in.  As you stroll around the World Showcase you will catch holiday storytellers and new and familiar Christmas carols.  It will put you right in the festive spirit!

Yule Log
Holiday Storyteller
Read about my experience here.

Which of the Epcot festivals is your favorite?  Let us know in the comments below!


Maci is an avid foodie and loves trying out new restaurants and seasonal food offerings in the parks.  You can email Maci at maci@kingdomkonsultant.com.
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