EPCOT’s festivals have basically taken over the park, and honestly, we’re not mad about it.
Food booths, concerts, gardens, holiday decor: whatever you’re into, there’s probably a festival for it.
Here’s your 2025 EPCOT Festival calendar (plus a cheat sheet for telling them apart before they all start blending together).
EPCOT Festival Calendar
Want to know when each EPCOT festival happens? Let’s get straight to it:
2025 (Confirmed Dates)
We now know the dates for all of the 2025 festivals:
- January 1-16: No festival
- January 17-February 24: International Festival of the Arts
- February 25-March 4: No festival
- March 5-June 2: International Flower & Garden Festival
- June 3-August 27: No festival
- August 28-November 22: International Food & Wine Festival
- November 23-27: No festival
- November 28-December 30: International Festival of the Holidays
- December 31: No festival
2026 (Best Guesses)
All of these dates are still unofficial, but based on past years (and Disney’s love of routines), here’s what you can expect:
- January 1-15: No festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- January 16-February 23: International Festival of the Arts (ESTIMATED DATES)
- February 25-March 3: No festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- March 4-June 1: International Flower & Garden Festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- June 2-August 26: No festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- August 27-November 21: International Food & Wine Festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- November 22-26: No festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
- November 27-December 30: International Festival of the Holidays (ESTIMATED DATES)
- December 31: No festival (ESTIMATED DATES)
What takes place at an EPCOT Festival?
At this point, EPCOT basically operates on a festival calendar.
Several times a year, the park turns into a rotating showcase of food booths, entertainment, merch drops, and vaguely-themed decor, all tied to a different seasonal vibe
Here’s the lineup:
- International Festival of the Arts
- International Flower & Garden Festival
- International Food & Wine Festival
- International Festival of the Holidays
We’ll break down what makes each one special (and yes, why sometimes they start to feel suspiciously similar) a little further down.
Special Food and Beverage Booths
One thing all EPCOT festivals have in common? Food booths. Lots and lots of food booths.
Scattered mostly around the World Showcase (with a few extras up front these days), these kiosks roll out festival-specific menus with smaller portions, which sounds practical until you realize it just means you’re trying to justify eating twenty different things before 2:00 p.m.
(P.S. — If you’re planning an adults-only tour focused on beverages, check out our full Drinking Around the World at EPCOT guide for all the tips!)
The booths technically get different names depending on the festival, but they all work the same way. Here’s what they’re called if you want to sound fancy about it:
- International Festival of the Arts = Food Studios
- International Flower & Garden Festival = Outdoor Kitchens
- International Food & Wine Festival = Global Marketplaces
- International Festival of the Holidays = Holiday Kitchens
Don’t miss our complete EPCOT for Adults guide for insider tips and ideas on how to make the most of your adults-only day at the park.
Decorations
Every festival at EPCOT comes with a fresh coat of seasonal flair, because if there’s one thing Disney never does halfway, it’s a decorating budget.
During Flower & Garden, you’ll find dozens of jaw-dropping topiaries that somehow survive Florida’s questionable weather.
Festival of the Holidays? Full-on Christmas mode, complete with trees, lights, storytellers in all of the pavilions, and enough garland to wrap around World Showcase twice.
Whatever the theme, expect EPCOT to lean all the way in.
Live Entertainment
Every festival comes with its own lineup of live entertainment, because nothing says “EPCOT festival” like belting Broadway tunes in the Florida humidity or watching a ‘90s cover band crush it at 4 p.m.
The big shows usually happen at the American Gardens Theatre (in the American Adventure Pavilion), but you’ll sometimes catch smaller pop-up performances near CommuniCore Hall at the front of the park too.
Here’s the headliner lineup:
- International Festival of the Arts
- Disney on Broadway Concert Series: Disney on Broadway Concert Series (actual Broadway stars singing actual Disney hits, and it’s legitimately fantastic)
- International Flower & Garden Festival
- Garden Rocks Concert Series: Garden Rocks Concert Series (a rotating mix of throwback bands, nostalgia acts, and the occasional “oh wow, they’re still touring?” group)
- International Food & Wine Festival
- Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Eat to the Beat Concert Series (some surprisingly big names… and some who are definitely just happy to be here, but honestly, it’s always a good time)
- International Festival of the Holidays
- Candlelight Processional: Candlelight Processional (holiday tradition meets celebrity narrator meets full orchestra, it’s genuinely awesome even if you aren’t super religious
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth gets in on the action too, with nighttime themed light shows that somehow manage to be both slightly cheesy and absolutely perfect. Past hits include Rainbow Connection and Be Our Guest, and yes, sometimes it makes us cry but that isn’t our fault. It’s Disney and it’s expert ability to emotionally manipulate.
Exclusive Merchandise
Disney leans hard into festival merchandise every year, and honestly, they know exactly what they’re doing. From t-shirts and pins to themed gardening tools and kitchenware, there’s a little something for every festival fan (and every wallet).
Each festival usually has a few different themed collections, think t-shirts, pins, hats, spirit jerseys, and whatever other object they can stick a festival logo on and convince us we need.
Sometimes it’s obvious (like gardening gear during Flower & Garden). Sometimes it’s a little more random (like wine glasses you will absolutely overpay for during Food & Wine). Either way, resistance is mostly futile.
Festival Passports
Pro tip: never underestimate the power of free paper.
Every EPCOT festival hands out passports which are little booklets you can snag at the entrance, at cash registers, or basically anywhere someone’s willing to hand you one. They list all the food booths, entertainment, and activities, and somehow immediately become your most prized possession for the day.
Highly recommend grabbing one early so you can plan (or obsessively check off) everything you want to eat, drink, and see.
Special Activities for Kids
EPCOT might have a reputation as Disney’s “adult park,” but every festival makes a solid effort to keep younger travelers entertained (and out of meltdown mode).
Depending on the festival, you might find kid-friendly extras like playgrounds (Flower & Garden), giant sidewalk chalk zones (Festival of the Arts), or scavenger hunts that are technically for kids but, let’s be honest, also extremely fun for adults.
You’ll find the full list of activities inside the Festival Passport or on the My Disney Experience app.
Scavenger Hunts
Every EPCOT festival comes with its own scavenger hunt; officially for kids, but unofficially a full-on competitive sport for adults who take their festival days very seriously.
They’re a fun excuse to explore the World Showcase a little more closely (and sometimes spot hidden details you’d totally miss otherwise).
Here’s what you’ll be hunting for at each festival:
- Festival of the Arts: Figment’s Brush with the Masters
- Flower & Garden Festival: Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration
- Food & Wine Festival: Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak
- Festival of the Holidays: Olaf’s Tradition Expedition
You can pick up the maps and prizes at select gift shops around the park. And yes, finishing one feels way more satisfying than it probably should.
Special PhotoPass Photo Ops
EPCOT festivals mean new snacks, new drinks, and, of course, new opportunities to pay Disney for photos of you pretending to hold a cartoon Figment in your hand.
Each festival rolls out special Magic Shots and themed photo ops with PhotoPass photographers stationed around the park.
If you’ve got Memory Maker (or an Annual Pass with PhotoPass perks), go ahead and ham it up. If not, just know you’ll be very tempted to buy at least one picture.
EPCOT Festival Overviews
Ok, now let’s get down to the specifics. Here’s an overview of what you can find at each of the festivals:
International Festival of the Arts
- Dates: January 17–February 24, 2025
If you’ve ever looked at your food and thought, “this needs to be way more Instagrammable,” Festival of the Arts is your moment.
This festival celebrates visual, culinary, and performing arts, which in practice means beautiful food, Broadway-quality performances, giant sidewalk chalk murals, and a lot of people trying to hold still inside oversized picture frames for that perfect photo.
Top things to check out:
- Disney on Broadway Concert Series (legitimately amazing performances)
- Giant paint-by-number mural (yes, you get to help)
- Art booths with everything from stunning paintings to $800 sculptures you’ll pretend to consider
- Figment’s Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt (find Figment hiding in famous artworks around World Showcase)
Also: don’t skip the food booths. The dishes are so pretty you’ll feel guilty eating them — at least for a few seconds.
International Flower & Garden Festival
- Dates: March 5–June 2, 2025
Flower & Garden is what happens when EPCOT decides to become a botanical garden for three months straight, and honestly, they absolutely crush it.
This festival covers the park with towering Disney character topiaries, vibrant gardens, and enough floral displays to make your allergies wave a white flag. It’s also when you start to wonder if it’s socially acceptable to just live inside the Butterfly House.
Top things to check out:
- Dozens of ridiculously impressive topiaries
- Outdoor kitchens serving fresh, garden-inspired food and drinks
- Butterfly House (small but usually kind of peaceful)
- Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration scavenger hunt (follow Spike the Bee through the gardens)
- Garden Rocks Concert Series (retro bands and throwback jams)
Pro tip: it’s gorgeous, but it gets hot. Pace your outdoor kitchen stops like your life (and hydration) depends on it.
International Food & Wine Festival
- Dates: August 28–November 22, 2025
Welcome to the Olympics of EPCOT festivals, where the only events are eating, drinking, and wondering why you thought you had what it takes to hang in 95 degree temps.
Food & Wine is EPCOT’s longest-running and most famous festival, with 30+ global marketplaces, specialty cocktails, craft beers, and tons of things to snack on.
Top things to check out:
- Global marketplaces (pro tip: pace yourself; it’s a marathon, not a sprint)
- Eat to the Beat Concert Series (live music to go with your seventh snack of the afternoon)
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt (because everything is cuter when it involves a tiny French rat)
- Festival-themed merch (because apparently what your life was missing was a Food & Wine Festival wine glass you’ll only use once a year)
If you’re visiting during Food & Wine, plan for big weekend crowds, lots of incredible food and drinks, and some of the best people-watching you’ll find anywhere in Disney World.
International Festival of the Holidays
- Dates: November 28–December 30, 2025
Festival of the Holidays is EPCOT at its coziest.
This festival celebrates holiday traditions from around the world, complete with festive food booths, live music, storytellers in nearly every pavilion of the World Showcase, and so many heartwarming moments you’ll wonder when Disney started charging extra for feelings.
Top things to check out:
- Candlelight Processional (celebrity narrator, full orchestra, mass choir)
- Holiday Storytellers around the World Showcase (learn about other cultures’ traditions)
- Holiday Kitchens serving traditional treats from around the world
- Olaf’s Tradition Expedition scavenger hunt
- Holiday merch (ornaments, decor, and seasonal stuff you’ll swear you “needed”)
It’s festive, it’s chaotic, it’s probably the most wholesome thing EPCOT does all year, and honestly, it’s kind of perfect.
General Tips for All Epcot Festivals
- Arrive Early: Hit a few rides first thing, because once the food booths open at 11:00 a.m., you’re basically committing to a day of eating and wandering.
- Use the My Disney Experience App: It’s not perfect, but it’s still the easiest way to track booth menus, showtimes, and find out how far you are from your next snack.
- Plan Your Must-Eats: Skim the festival menus ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll wander aimlessly, panic-order something weird, and live with the regret.
- Stay Hydrated: Florida sun + festival hopping = the fastest way to accidentally recreate a dehydration PSA. Bring a water bottle and actually use it.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’re about to walk a half-marathon without realizing it. Choose your footwear wisely.
- Pace Yourself: Festivals are a marathon, not a sprint. No one wants to be the person passed out on a shady bench before sunset.
- Grab a Festival Passport: Get one early; it’s your best friend for tracking what you’ve eaten, where you’re headed next, and what activities you didn’t know you needed.
- Use a Disney Gift Card: Load a set amount onto a Disney Gift Card and spend guilt-free, or at least with less guilt when you realize you bought $86 worth of “small plates.”
- Check the Weather: Florida weather is the final boss. Ponchos and sunscreen are non-negotiable.
- Plan to Stay Late: Some of the best entertainment (and best booth lines) happen after dark. Don’t burn out by 3 p.m. unless you want to miss the good stuff.
- Bring a Portable Charger: Between photos, mobile ordering, and checking menus every five minutes, your phone’s going to need backup.
- Stay Onsite if You Can: EPCOT festival days hit different when you don’t have to figure out how to drive home afterward.
When is the best time to Drink Around the World at EPCOT?
If you’re planning to Drink Around the World at EPCOT, the festivals can make it even more fun – or just a lot busier.
Typically, the International Food & Wine Festival (late August through mid-November) is the most popular time for Drinking Around the World because there are extra booths (compared to the other festivals) and specialty cocktails everywhere.
But honestly, you can Drink Around the World any day of the year. The World Showcase’s permanent bars and drink kiosks are open year-round, no festival required.
If you want lower crowds and easier sipping, you might prefer visiting outside of major festival weekends (especially avoiding Saturdays during Food & Wine).
Planning a full Drink Around the World trip? Check out our Complete Guide to Drinking Around the World at EPCOT!
EPCOT Festival FAQs
Have questions about the festivals at EPCOT? We have answers!
What is the best time to visit EPCOT festivals to avoid crowds?
Weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, are typically less crowded. Arriving early in the day or staying later in the evening can also help you avoid the masses.
Do I need a separate ticket to attend EPCOT festivals?
No, Epcot festivals are included with your regular park admission. However, some dining packages may require additional tickets or reservations.
Are there any age restrictions for the festivals?
EPCOT festivals are family-friendly and offer activities for all ages. However, you must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Make sure you understand the ID rules, too (especially if you are an international guest).
Can I use Disney Dining Plan credits at the festival food booths?
Yes, nearly all of the food and non-alcoholic beverages will count as a Snack Credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Anything with alcohol will not, though.
What should I bring with me to an EPCOT Festival?
Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a portable charger for your devices. You might also want to bring a small backpack to carry festival passports, merchandise, and any other essentials.
Can I purchase festival merchandise online?
Some festival merchandise may be available on the Shop Disney website, but exclusive items are typically only available at the park.
Final Thoughts on EPCOT Festivals
EPCOT basically lives on a festival schedule now, and honestly, we’re not mad about it.
Whether you’re here for the food, the topiaries, the concerts, or just the general festival vibes, knowing what’s happening (and when) makes it way easier to plan a great trip.