If you’re like us, there are *some* Disney trips where we treat EPCOT like a drinking park that just happens to have some rides.
While the permanent bars of the World Showcase (we’re looking at you, La Cava) are open year-round, the rotating festivals are what really dictate the vibe of your trip. They completely take over the park with pop-up kiosks, changing the menu from “standard margaritas” to “violet lemonade moonshine” depending on the month.
If you are planning a Drinking Around the World trip in 2026, picking a time when you can incorpoprate drinks from the Festivals is the way to go.
Some festivals are better for craft beer lovers, while others are perfect for light day-drinking. “If your main EPCOT strategy involves a slow lap with a drink in hand, the 2026 calendar matters more than you think.
2026 EPCOT Festival Cheat Sheet
Need the dates fast? Here is the 2026 lineup at a glance.
Festival | 2026 Dates (Projected*) | The “Drinking Vibe” | Best For… |
Festival of the Arts | Jan 17 – Feb 24 | Creative & Colorful | Cocktails that look good on Instagram. |
Flower & Garden | Mar 4 – June 1 | Floral & Refreshing | Day drinking, ciders, and slushies. |
Food & Wine | Aug 27 – Nov 21* | Heavy & Extensive | Craft beer, wine flights, and culinary enthusiasts. |
Festival of the Holidays | Nov 27 – Dec 30* | Warm & Spiced | Hot cocoa (spiked), dark beers, and holiday cheer. |
*Note: Future dates are based on Disney’s historical patterns and subject to official confirmation.
Ranking the Festivals for “Drinking Around the World”
Some festivals are better for drinking than others.
1. International Food & Wine Festival
- The Heavyweight Champion
- When: Late August – Mid November
Food and Wine is the granddaddy of all the festivals at EPCOT and with over 30 “Global Marketplaces,” this festival offers the sheer highest volume of options. You’ll find dedicated booths just for craft beer, wine flights from specific regions (like the Alps or Australia), and cocktails that pack a punch.
- Drink to watch for: Anything from 3 Daughters Brewing and the beer flights in Germany
- Warning: This is also the hottest time of year in Florida, and yes, this is how people end up questioning their life choices the next morning. Hydrate aggressively.
2. International Flower & Garden Festival
- The Day-Drinking Favorite
- When: March – Early June
If Food & Wine is a heavy red wine, Flower & Garden is a crisp rosé. The weather is usually perfect, the park looks incredible with the topiaries, and the drinks are lighter. Things like fruity ciders, floral gins, and the legendary Violet Lemonade (which you can, and should, get with moonshine).
- Drink to watch for: The La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy (France) is a non-negotiable staple.
3. International Festival of the Arts
- The Aesthetic Choice
- When: Mid January – Late February
This is the shortest festival, but it’s becoming a fan favorite. The “Food Studios” focus on presentation. The drinks here are often interactive or visually stunning with things like cocktails with edible glitter, paintbrush garnishes, or color-changing elements.
- Drink to watch for: Anything at “The Deconstructed Dish”. They usually get weird and creative with the beverage textures.
4. International Festival of the Holidays
- The Cozy Crawl
- When: Late November – Late December
Drinking around the world feels completely differently when you are walking past Christmas trees. The “Holiday Kitchens” pivot to warm comfort. It’s the only time of year you can reliably find hot spiced wine (Glühwein) in Germany or spiked hot cocoa in America.
- Drink to watch for: The Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini in France.
2026 Calendar Breakdown & Entertainmen
International Festival of the Arts
- Dates: Jan 17 – Feb 24, 2026 (Confirmed)
- The Vibe: Broadway stars and edible art.
- Don’t Miss: The Disney on Broadway Concert Series. It’s actual Broadway performers singing Disney hits. Grab a drink and sit in the American Gardens Theatre; it’s the best “free” entertainment in the park.
International Flower & Garden Festival
- Dates: Mar 4 – June 1, 2026 (Confirmed)
- The Vibe: Fresh, green, and vibrant.
- Don’t Miss: The Garden Rocks Concert Series features throwbacks (think Simple Plan or Rick Springfield). The “Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration” scavenger hunt is technically for kids, but it’s a fun way to kill time between rounds.
International Food & Wine Festival
- Dates: Aug 27 – Nov 21, 2026 (Projected)
- The Vibe: A culinary marathon.
- Don’t Miss: The Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Also, the merchandise here is usually the best of the year if you need a souvenir wine glass that you’ll definitely use once and then lose in the back of your cabinet.
International Festival of the Holidays
- Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (Projected)
- The Vibe: Holiday cheer meets massive crowds
- Don’t Miss: The Candlelight Processional. It’s a massive choir with a celebrity narrator retelling the Christmas story. It draws huge crowds, so if that’s not your thing, use that time to hit the popular bars (like Mexico) while the lines are shorter.
Strategy for the “Drinker”
We have a full guide on How to Survive Drinking Around the World, but here are the festival-specific rules:
- Don’t ignore the food: Festival food is designed to soak up alcohol. The portions are small, so grab a snack at every other country.
- Passports are free: Grab the little paper booklet at the entrance. It lists every beer, wine, and cocktail at every booth. We used it to keep track of everything we tried and as a reminder for the things we WANT to try when we pass a booth.
- Use the Dining Plan for food: If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, almost all festival food items count as a “Snack Credit.” Use your credits for the food so you can save your actual cash for the drinks (which are never included).
- Weekdays are king: Locals flood the festivals on Friday nights and Saturdays. If you want to drink without waiting 20 minutes for a margarita, go on a Tuesday.
- Weather check: August through October is hurricane season. If you are doing Food & Wine, bring a poncho. The outdoor booths do not close for rain, but you will get soaked standing in line for your cheddar soup.
- Check the “Holiday Cookie Stroll”: During the winter festival, there is a cookie crawl. You can absolutely pair this with a “Holiday Cocktail Crawl.” A gingerbread cookie goes surprisingly well with the darker beers at the Germany pavilion.
FAQ
Can I drink around the world when there is no festival?
Yes. The permanent pavilions (Mexico, UK, Germany, etc.) have bars that operate 365 days a year. However, the “dead weeks” between festivals mean fewer options and no pop-up kiosks.
Which festival is cheapest?
Technically, they all cost the same (it’s just your park ticket), but Food & Wine is where budgets go to die.
Are the drinks full size?
At the festival booths? No. Aside from a couple exceptions (like at Refreshment Port and Refreshment Outpost) they are usually smaller sizes. If you want a full-sized drink, head to the permanent brick-and-mortar bars inside the pavilions.
Ready to plan the full route? Check out our Complete Guide to Drinking Around the World at EPCOT for the best stops in every country.