🌈 The Complete Guide to EPCOT’s Four Festivals in 2026
A Travel Genie Favorite!
EPCOT is famous for its year‑round rotation of festivals—each with its own flavor, theme, and special experiences. Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, a gardener, or a holiday fanatic, there’s a festival perfect for your Walt Disney World vacation.
Let’s explore each festival, what to expect, pros and cons, and some Travel Genie Favorite Picks!
🎨 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Typical Season: Mid‑January – Late February
2026 Dates: January 16 – February 23
🌟 What to Expect
Festival of the Arts celebrates creativity in all forms—visual, performing, and culinary.
Expect:
Artistic, photogenic food booths (“food studios”)
Disney on Broadway concert series every night
Chalk art, mural walls, and hands‑on workshops
Figment’s Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt (a guest favorite!)
👍 Pros
Least crowded of all festivals
Easy to experience in half a day
Photo‑worthy food you truly won’t find any other season
Tons of interactive elements for adults and kids
👎 Cons
Shortest festival of the year
Weather can be chilly and unpredictable
Limited number of global food booths compared to Food & Wine
💜 Travel Genie Favorites
Paint-by-Number Mural — A fun, low‑effort way to join the art!
Festival Markets — We love browsing the Disney artist tents for unique prints.
Figment Merchandise — Always adorable and usually sells out fast!
🌸 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Typical Season: Early March – Early June
2026 Dates: March 4 – June 1
🌟 What to Expect
EPCOT blossoms into a vibrant spring showcase with:
60+ character topiaries and 31+ gardens and floral displays
Outdoor Kitchens serving seasonal fresh dishes
Garden Rocks Concert Series on weekends (included with admission)
Family‑friendly scavenger hunts like Spike’s Pollen‑Nation and Eggstravaganza
👍 Pros
The most visually stunning festival of the year
Great mix of food + attractions + entertainment
Ideal weather (usually!) for walking the park
👎 Cons
Can get crowded during spring break
Outdoor Kitchens may have long lines midday
Pollen can be rough for allergy‑prone visitors
💜 Travel Genie Favorites
Violet Lemonade — The ICONIC Flower & Garden drink!
Topiary Trail — We always recommend carving out an hour just to explore.
Butterfly Landing — Magical for families and great for photos.
🍽️ EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Typical Season: Late August – Late November
2025 Dates (for reference): August 28 – November 22
2026 dates not yet announced (as of latest updates).
🌟 What to Expect
Food & Wine celebrates international cuisine with:
Dozens of global marketplace booths
Wine tastings and culinary demonstrations
Longest food selection of any EPCOT festival
Eat to the Beat concert series (dates vary annually)
👍 Pros
The most robust menu variety of all festivals
Great for adult‑centric trips or date nights
Happy atmosphere and fun for grazing all day
👎 Cons
Very crowded on weekends
Hot Florida weather early in the festival (August–September)
Easy to overspend on small plates (just ask us how we know!)
💜 Travel Genie Favorites
The Canada Booth — Always on our must‑eat list for savory bites.
The Cheese Crawl (varies yearly) — Fun challenge for cheese lovers.
Wine Flights — Great for sampling without committing to a full pour.
🎄 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Typical Season: Late November – Late December
🌟 What to Expect
A winter celebration of holiday traditions from around the world. Expect:
Holiday Kitchens serving seasonal and international holiday dishes
Cultural storytellers representing each pavilion’s traditions
Santas from around the world in World Showcase
The fan‑favorite Candlelight Processional (dates vary, not yet posted for 2026)
👍 Pros
Cozy atmosphere and fantastic seasonal food
Unique cultural experiences perfect for families
Holiday entertainment throughout the park
👎 Cons
Can be very crowded during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks
Shorter operating window than other festivals
Some offerings only run select days/times
💜 Travel Genie Favorites
Holiday Cookie Stroll — Collect stamps, earn a specialty cookie at the end.
Storytellers in Norway, Mexico & Japan — Some of the best performances!
Warm holiday beverages — A lifesaver on cooler December evenings.
✨ Final Thoughts
EPCOT’s four festivals add magic, flavor, and variety to every season of the year. Whether you’re enjoying topiaries in spring, global eats in the fall, holiday traditions in winter, or creative cuisine in January, there’s always something new to explore.
If you need help planning a trip around these festivals, Travel Genie is always here to make the magic stress‑free.