Key Takeaways
- The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is an annual winter event at Walt Disney World that celebrates visual, culinary and performing arts across the park.
- It typically runs from around mid-January to late February, though exact dates change each year, so always check before you book your travel.
- Entry is included with normal EPCOT admission — you only pay extra for the food, drinks and any artwork you choose to buy.
- Highlights include the "Food Studios" booths serving artistic small plates, the Disney on Broadway concert series, gallery displays and street performers.
- For UK families it's a wonderful lower-crowd time to visit, but pack for cooler-than-expected weather and budget a little extra for food and drink.
- Booking your EPCOT tickets in advance and understanding the festival layout will help you relax and enjoy the day without feeling rushed.
If you're planning an Orlando holiday in the new year and love the idea of good food, live music and a splash of creativity, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts could be the highlight of your trip. It's one of the calmest, most charming events on the Walt Disney World calendar — and because it's included with your normal park ticket, it's also brilliant value. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect, when it runs and how to make the most of it as a UK visitor.
What Is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is an annual celebration that transforms the park into a living gallery. Across EPCOT's World Showcase and Future World areas, you'll find visual art on display and for sale, culinary creativity at themed food booths, and live performances that range from street entertainers to full Broadway concerts. It's Disney's way of bringing together the three great creative disciplines — visual, culinary and performing arts — into one relaxed, family-friendly festival.
What makes it so appealing is the gentle pace. Unlike the busier summer and holiday seasons, the festival period tends to be quieter, giving you space to wander, nibble and admire without the crowds. You can spend a morning riding attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy, then ease into an afternoon of art, music and small plates. It's the sort of day where you don't need to rush from ride to ride — the atmosphere itself is the attraction.
Because everything is woven into the existing park, there's no separate ticket to worry about. You simply arrive with your EPCOT admission and the festival is there waiting for you, dotted around the walkways and pavilions.
When Does the Festival of the Arts Run?
The Festival of the Arts is a winter event, and it typically runs from around mid-January to late February each year. Disney usually confirms the precise dates a few months ahead, so it's worth checking the official Disney calendar before you lock in flights and accommodation. Because the dates can shift slightly from one year to the next, we'd always recommend confirming rather than assuming.
This timing makes it a natural fit for UK families looking for a January or February getaway, perhaps tying in with the school half-term break. The festival spans several weeks, so you have plenty of flexibility. Weekends are generally the liveliest, with the fullest line-up of performers and the busiest food booths, while weekdays tend to feel more peaceful.
Before you travel, it's sensible to review the current UK Gov Foreign Travel Advice - USA and to check the seasonal conditions on Orlando Weather (Weather.com). Florida winters are mild by British standards, but January and February mornings can be surprisingly cool, so a light jacket is a wise addition to your suitcase.
The Food Studios: Artistic Small Plates
For many visitors, the Food Studios are the star of the show. These are outdoor booths positioned around World Showcase, each serving small plates and drinks designed to look as good as they taste. Think delicate desserts finished like miniature paintings, savoury bites arranged on the plate like a palette, and colourful cocktails and mocktails that are almost too pretty to sip.
The idea is to graze rather than sit down to a full meal. You buy items individually, so you can hop from booth to booth, sharing a bite here and a sweet treat there. Prices vary, but small plates generally start from a few pounds each when converted to GBP, and it's easy to build a satisfying lunch from three or four choices. Do keep an eye on your spending, though — the little plates add up quickly, and our guide on how to save money at Disney World has plenty of ideas for keeping food costs sensible.
One of the most photographed offerings is the "paint-by-number" style dessert, where you're handed a plated treat and edible colours to decorate it yourself — a lovely bit of fun for children and grown-ups alike. If you're travelling with fussy eaters, there's usually enough variety that everyone finds something they enjoy.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
The performing arts side of the festival is anchored by the Disney on Broadway concert series. Held at the America Gardens Theatre, these concerts bring Broadway performers to the stage to sing beloved songs from Disney's theatrical productions. Hearing showstoppers from classics like The Lion King, Aladdin and Frozen performed live, often by the very artists who originated the roles, is a genuine goosebumps moment.
Concerts usually run on set days throughout the festival, with several performances each evening. Standard seating is included with your park admission on a first-come basis, so arriving early for a spot is worthwhile. Disney also typically offers a dining package that guarantees reserved seating alongside a meal, which can be a treat for a special occasion if you'd rather not queue.
Even if musicals aren't usually your thing, the sheer talent on display tends to win people over. It's a wonderful way to round off a day, settling into your seat as the Florida evening cools and letting the music carry you. If you're staying on-site, check the Disney Resort Hotels options, as many are an easy stroll or short transport hop from EPCOT for those late finishes.
Art to See and Buy
The visual arts are everywhere during the festival. Pop-up galleries showcase work from Disney artists and independent creators, with paintings, sculptures, prints and collectibles available to admire and, if you fall in love with a piece, to purchase. Prices range enormously, from affordable prints starting from a modest sum to signed limited-edition works for serious collectors.
Beyond the galleries, the whole park becomes a canvas. You'll find large-scale murals, chalk artists creating remarkable 3D pavement illusions, and playful photo opportunities where you can pose as though you've stepped inside a famous painting. There are usually interactive elements too, such as communal paint-by-number murals where every guest adds a brushstroke, so the finished piece is a collaborative effort by the end of the day.
Street performers add to the magic, with living statues, musicians and theatrical characters appearing throughout World Showcase. It all combines to make simply walking around the park a pleasure. If your family enjoys this creative energy, you might also love the imaginative worlds of attractions such as Na'vi River Journey and the classic charm of Peter Pan's Flight on other days of your trip.
Tips for UK Visitors
A little preparation goes a long way. Before anything else, make sure your travel documents are in order — most UK holidaymakers will need an approved ESTA Application (US CBP) to enter the United States, and it's best to sort this well ahead of departure. Most visitors arrive through Orlando International Airport, which is around a 30-minute drive from the Disney parks.
If you're hiring a car and driving to EPCOT, familiarise yourself with the parking at Walt Disney World arrangements so you know what to expect on arrival. Budget for food and drink separately from your tickets, as the festival's pay-per-item model means costs depend entirely on how much you sample.
Because the festival is a quieter time of year, it's a great opportunity to also tackle the big-ticket rides at the other parks with shorter waits — think Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the thrilling drop of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the wildlife of Kilimanjaro Safaris. If you're extending your trip beyond Disney, there's plenty more to fill the days, from The Simpsons Ride at Universal to a family day out at the LEGOLAND Florida Official Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a separate ticket for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?
No. The Festival of the Arts is included with standard EPCOT admission. You only pay extra for the food and drink you buy at the Food Studios and for any artwork you choose to purchase. A valid EPCOT ticket for the day of your visit is all you need to enjoy the galleries, performances and general festival atmosphere.
When does the EPCOT Festival of the Arts take place?
The festival is a winter event that typically runs from around mid-January to late February each year. The exact dates change annually, so it's important to check Disney's official calendar before booking your holiday. The event spans several weeks, giving UK families flexibility to plan a visit around flights or the February half-term break.
What food can you try at the Festival of the Arts?
The Food Studios booths serve artistic small plates, sweet treats and colourful drinks dotted around World Showcase. Dishes are designed to look like miniature works of art, from palette-shaped savoury bites to decorate-your-own desserts. You buy items individually, so you can graze across several booths and build a light lunch from a few small plates.
Is the Disney on Broadway concert series free?
Standard seating for the Disney on Broadway concerts is included with your EPCOT admission on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early helps secure a good spot. Disney also usually offers a paid dining package that includes a meal plus guaranteed reserved seating, which is worth considering for a special evening.
Is the Festival of the Arts suitable for children?
Yes, it's very family-friendly. Children usually love the decorate-your-own desserts, the interactive paint-by-number murals, the 3D chalk art and the photo opportunities. The relaxed pace also suits families, as there's no pressure to rush, and you can happily mix festival activities with EPCOT's regular attractions throughout the day.
How much should I budget for food at the festival?
Costs depend entirely on how much you sample, as everything is paid for per item. Small plates generally start from a few pounds each in GBP, and it's easy to build a satisfying lunch from three or four choices. Sharing plates across your group is a good way to try more variety while keeping spending under control.
Is January or February a good time to visit Walt Disney World?
Winter is one of the calmer times to visit, with generally lower crowds and milder temperatures than the summer months. This makes it ideal for enjoying the Festival of the Arts at a gentle pace and for tackling popular rides at the other parks with shorter waits. Just pack layers, as mornings and evenings can feel cool.
People Also Ask
Can you buy the artwork on display at the festival?
Yes. Pop-up galleries around the park sell paintings, prints, sculptures and collectibles from Disney and independent artists. Prices range from affordable prints starting from a modest sum to signed limited-edition pieces for collectors. Staff are on hand to arrange purchases and, where available, shipping.
How long should I spend at the Festival of the Arts?
Most families find a full day at EPCOT lets them enjoy the festival properly alongside the park's attractions. If you're focused mainly on the food, art and a concert, half a day can be enough, but the relaxed atmosphere often tempts people to linger longer than planned.
Does the festival get busy?
Weekends are the busiest, with the fullest performer line-ups and longer queues at popular food booths. Weekdays tend to be noticeably quieter and more relaxed. Visiting midweek is the easiest way to enjoy the galleries and Food Studios without much waiting.
What else is there to do near EPCOT during the festival?
The winter season is perfect for exploring the wider resort. You can ride headline attractions at Disney's other parks with shorter waits, visit Universal Orlando, or take a family day trip to LEGOLAND Florida. Staying at a Disney resort hotel also makes evening concerts and late finishes much easier to manage.
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