The Ultimate 2026 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Guide. There is no better way to kick off the new year than a vibrant celebration of creativity! The Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2026 is set to transform the park into a dazzling, one-of-a-kind gallery, blending exceptional culinary, visual, and performing arts into one glorious experience. From January 16 through February 23, 2026, you, the park guest, don’t just admire the art—you become part of it.
But navigating this masterpiece of a festival can be overwhelming. Where do you find the famous Paint-by-Number mural? Which of the 20+ Artistic Food Studios has the must-try dish for your social feed? And is the Disney on Broadway Dining Package truly worth the price?
This comprehensive guide is your essential passport to Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts 2026. We’ll cover everything from the all-important dates and crowd strategies to an insider’s look at the new Disney Lorcana activities and a full breakdown of the must-see performances and best bites. Get ready to awaken your inner artist and plan your perfect, picture-worthy day!
Festival at a Glance: Dates, Logistics & New Offerings
Understanding the logistics is the first brushstroke in painting your perfect festival experience. The Festival of the Arts takes place across all of EPCOT, focusing heavily on the World Showcase promenade and stretching into the World Celebration area.
Essential 2026 Dates and Times
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2026 dates are confirmed for January 16 through February 23, 2026. This 39-day run is one of the shortest festival windows of the year, making it a highly anticipated event.
While many of the performing and visual arts offerings run throughout the day, the Food Studios generally operate from 11:00 AM until the park closes. We strongly recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, to enjoy the interactive elements before the crowds fill in and the sun is at its brightest. The best time to experience the low-line offerings, like the Animation Academy, is often first thing in the morning, before the World Showcase officially opens and the masses arrive to eat.
The New Must-Do: Disney Lorcana Quest
For 2026, Disney is bringing a brand-new interactive element that will delight art and card game enthusiasts alike: activities themed to the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game. This isn’t just a simple scavenger hunt; it’s a Collection Quest that merges the beautiful artwork of the cards with family-friendly experiences around the park.
Guests can pick up a Festival Questbook and embark on an adventure where they complete tasks, collect booster packs, and even trade cards with fellow “Illumineers” in the newly established Illumineers’ Lounge (rumored to be in the Morocco Pavilion). The biggest draw? Completing the quest earns you an exclusive, limited-edition Magical Places promo card. This is a fresh, new layer of interactive fun, ensuring the festival provides unique experiences beyond the returning classics. For Disney Lorcana fans, this single addition makes the 2026 festival a must-visit.
Tickets, Park Passes, and Navigating Crowds
Admission to the festival is included with your standard EPCOT theme park ticket. However, keep in mind that a Disney Park Pass reservation is still required for your park entry on the day of your visit. Always secure this reservation immediately after booking your ticket!
- Crowd Strategy: The festival’s popularity has grown significantly. If you’re looking for a low-key day, your best bet is to target a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday visit. Locals and weekend visitors flock to the Food Studios on Fridays and Saturdays, leading to longer lines and less available space at tables. Weekends consistently see higher attendance, making it more challenging to fully appreciate the slower-paced, visual art elements.
- Pro Tip: Consult an Epcot Festival of the Arts crowd calendar before finalizing your park days. This will help you maximize your time enjoying the experiences rather than waiting in lines. If you must go on a weekend, prioritize the most popular Food Studios (like The Deconstructed Dish) right at 11:00 AM.
The Culinary Arts: Over 20 Artistic Food Studios
The Artistic Food Studios Epcot hosts are the heart of the festival for many. These are not your typical theme park snacks; these are edible masterpieces where chefs use color, texture, and presentation to make food a work of art. With over 20 Food Studios confirmed for the 2026 event, you’ll find a global gallery of gastronomy throughout World Showcase.
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine: Your Passport Checklist
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine 2026 menu items are a curated list of five bright, photogenic dishes designed to guide your tasting tour. By purchasing all five dishes and collecting the stamps in your Festival Passport, you earn a free Completer Prize—typically a Figment-themed dessert or a special smoothie.
This is a fantastic, budget-friendly goal that encourages you to try a diverse selection of the festival’s best offerings. The dishes in the walk are often chosen for their aesthetic appeal as much as their flavor.
Must-Try Dishes for the Perfect Instagram Photo
While official menus are released closer to the festival, past fan-favorites are all but guaranteed to return and should be top of your list for both taste and visual artistry.
- The Deconstructed Dish: This booth is famous for its playful presentation, such as the Deconstructed BLT (pork belly, soft poached egg, and onion bread pudding) or the Deconstructed Key Lime Pie. It’s a culinary mind-game that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Figment’s Inspiration Station: Head to The Odyssey to try the ever-popular Rainbow Cake, a dessert that truly lives up to its colorful name.
- Gourmet Landscapes: Look for dishes like the Wild Mushroom Risotto. These often feature an elevated presentation and rich, complex flavors that defy the idea of “theme park food.” This is where you find the hidden gems that food critics rave about.
Best-of-the-Fest: Savory Selections & Hidden Gems
To find the true best-of-the-fest savory items, you have to look beyond the main promotional dishes. The culinary artistry at this festival extends far beyond Instagram fodder.
- The Artist’s Table (American Adventure): Year after year, this booth delivers high-quality, signature-restaurant-worthy dishes. Look for their Duck and Dumplings—a sophisticated dish with rich, savory duck jus that is an absolute standout.
- The Craftsman’s Courtyard: Located near Disney Traders, this spot is known for hearty, flavorful options like the Cast Iron-Roasted P.E.I. Mussels or the Grilled Pork Belly. These are dishes with simple yet impactful presentation and incredible depth of flavor.
Artistic Desserts and Creative Cocktails
The Festival of the Arts excels in the sweet category. Forget plain funnel cakes—these desserts are miniature sculptures.
- Deco Delights: Look for their layered mousse and cake creations, like the Almond Frangipane Cake, which are almost too beautiful to eat. These are often the best Epcot Festival desserts if you value intricate detail.
- L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France): Don’t skip the treats in the France Pavilion. They always present beautifully-crafted sweets and are famous for their warm, melty Crème de Brie en Petit Pain (Brie in a small bread bowl), a delicious savory-sweet masterpiece.
- Beverages: The drink menus are just as creative. Look for the colorful hard ciders and unique frozen cocktails. Budget-conscious guests should explore the non-alcoholic Figment Imagination Lemonade—it’s a vibrant, photo-ready refreshment that is just as much fun as its boozy counterparts.
The Performing Arts: DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
The DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series is the premier entertainment offering and a major draw for the festival. Held at the America Gardens Theatre in the World Showcase, this series features Broadway stars performing iconic songs from Disney’s theatrical history.
Full 2026 Concert Lineup and Schedule
The 2026 lineup features an impressive rotation of performers, often pairing two stars from different shows for a dynamic setlist. Confirmed stars include:
- Isabelle McCalla (Aladdin)
- Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast)
- James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin)
- Kissy Simmons (The Lion King)
- Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid)
Performances run three times nightly (usually 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM), and are included with your park admission. Seating is first-come, first-served, and the lines can form hours in advance, especially for popular pairings.
Maximize Your Night: Disney on Broadway Dining Packages
For guests who want guaranteed, stress-free seating, the Disney on Broadway Dining Package is a highly recommended splurge.
- How It Works: You pre-pay for a dining experience (lunch or dinner) at a participating EPCOT restaurant (like Spice Road Table or Rose & Crown) and receive a voucher for guaranteed seating at a show that evening.
- Price and Value: While it adds to your cost, the value is in the time saved. Instead of waiting in line for two hours, you can spend that time enjoying other festival activities, and then arrive shortly before showtime for your reserved seat. Disney on Broadway Dining Package prices vary by restaurant, typically ranging from $40 to $90 per adult. The peace of mind and time saved make it an excellent choice for a dedicated fan or a visitor with limited time.
Beyond Broadway: Live Entertainment Across the Park
The performing arts extend far beyond the main stage. As you stroll the World Showcase, keep an eye out for these street performances:
- Art Defying Gravity: This spectacular show features acrobats and gymnasts who literally create art in the air through their stunning, gravity-defying choreography. The times for this show vary daily, so check the My Disney Experience app.
- Visual Art in Performance: Watch in awe as an artist creates a stunning piece of Disney-themed art live on a canvas in mere minutes. It’s a high-energy performance that is both exciting and mesmerizing to witness.
- JAMMitors: These EPCOT favorites, part custodians and part performers, create rhythms using everyday objects—a truly creative expression of music.
- Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of DISNEY ON BROADWAY: Go behind the curtain at a fascinating exhibit that celebrates DISNEY ON BROADWAY.
The Visual Arts: Interactive Fun & Figment Magic
The visual component of the festival is what truly sets it apart. It’s an immersive, hands-on experience designed to engage your creative side.
Expression Section: Contribute to the Paint-by-Number Mural
The Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural is one of the festival’s most popular interactive offerings. Located near the World Showcase Plaza, this giant, community-created piece of art invites guests to become temporary collaborators.
You are given a small cup of paint and a paintbrush corresponding to a specific numbered section on the mural. You fill in your small part, and over a couple of days, hundreds of guests transform a blank canvas into a massive, colorful masterpiece—often featuring Figment or Spaceship Earth. This is a wonderfully unique activity, and you even get a bookmark showing the completed artwork as a souvenir! It’s one of the best ways to say you’ve genuinely contributed to the festival.
Artful Photo Ops: Step Inside a Masterpiece
Throughout World Showcase, you’ll find large, three-dimensional recreations of famous paintings where you can step inside and become part of the scene. These Artful Photo Ops are incredibly popular and provide hilarious, memorable photos.
- Classics: Look for popular returns like Washington Crossing the Delaware (at The American Adventure) and the chance to pose with Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile (near the Italy Pavilion).
- New for 2026: Be sure to find the newest photo op featuring the art from the Disney Lorcana game, allowing you to pose with characters like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a whimsical carousel (Source 2.4).
- Insider Tip: The line for these photo ops can get long. We highly recommend hitting the most popular ones first thing in the morning when the World Showcase opens. The PhotoPass photographers are excellent and will coach you into the perfect pose for a laugh.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
Figment, the purple dragon of imagination, is the mascot of the festival, and he’s hiding! The Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt takes you on a fun journey around World Showcase, where you purchase a map and stickers (usually around $10) and hunt for Figment hidden inside various famous paintings displayed in each pavilion.
Once you find all the Figments and place the corresponding sticker on the map, you return it to a designated shop for a prize—typically a small, exclusive collector’s pin or a puzzle. It’s a great way to engage children and adds a fun, focused goal to your day of strolling the World Showcase. When redeemed, the Figment’s Brush with the Masters prize is a great, affordable souvenir, like last year’s stencils.
Practical Tips & Tricks for the Best Festival Day
Meeting the Artists and Finding Exclusive Merchandise
One of the most unique aspects of this festival is the sheer volume of artists displaying and creating work.
- Artist Galleries: Throughout the park, especially in the World Showcase, you’ll find Festival Marketplaces where Disney artists, Imagineers, and visiting talents showcase and sell their work. You can often watch them paint live or even get a signature on a print you purchase. Check the My Disney Experience app for an up-to-date schedule of featured artists and their signing times.
- Exclusive Merchandise: The festival features an exclusive merchandise collection, nearly always starring Figment. Look for everything from Spirit Jerseys and limited-edition MagicBands to mugs and pins. The items are truly art-inspired, full of vibrant color and creativity. These items sell out fast, so if you see something you love, don’t wait to buy it.
Budgeting and Using the Wristlet Gift Card
It’s easy to spend more than you planned once you see the delicious food and beautiful art. The simplest solution to stay on budget? Use the wristlet gift card.
- How to Use Epcot Wristlet Gift Card: You can purchase a small, festival-themed gift card that hangs on a wristlet, and load it with a set amount of money (say, $100). This card is easy to access at the Food Studios, eliminating the need to constantly pull out your wallet or phone. Once the money is gone, you’re done for the day! It’s a simple but effective technique for managing your Food Studio spending.
Quick Takeaways
- Dates: The Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2026 runs from January 16 to February 23, 2026.
- Crowds: Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the lowest crowds, and target popular Food Studios right at 11:00 AM.
- Must-Eats: Complete the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine for an exclusive prize and focus on the visually stunning dishes at The Deconstructed Dish and Gourmet Landscapes.
- New for 2026: Participate in the new Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game activities to earn a limited-edition Magical Places promo card.
- Entertainment: Book a Disney on Broadway Dining Package to guarantee a seat at the popular concert series and save precious park time.
- Interactive Fun: Don’t miss contributing your square to the massive Paint-by-Numbers Mural or posing in one of the hilarious Artful Photo Ops.
- Budget Hack: Load a set amount onto a wristlet gift card to control spending at the 20+ Artistic Food Studios.
Conclusion
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2026 is not merely an event; it’s a dynamic, fully immersive tribute to creativity that encourages you to be more than just an observer. By blending the visual feast of visiting artists with the melodic thrill of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and the sheer gastronomic delight of the Artistic Food Studios, this festival solidifies its place as one of EPCOT’s most unique and beloved celebrations. From the simple act of painting a single square on the Expression Section mural to the exhilarating taste of a perfect Wild Mushroom Risotto, your day will be filled with moments that ignite your own inner artist.
This is your canvas. Armed with the dates (January 16 to February 23, 2026), the logistics of the Dining Packages, and the tips for navigating the crowds, you are ready to craft a perfect day. Remember to pick up your Festival Passport, secure your Park Pass, and be prepared to let your imagination soar alongside Figment. Don’t wait to book your trip and restaurant reservations, especially if you want a Disney on Broadway Dining Package!
The art is waiting for you. What is the one creative activity—culinary, visual, or performing—you are most excited to try first at the Festival of the Arts? Share your plans in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the dates for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2026?
A: The festival officially runs from January 16 through February 23, 2026. This 39-day window offers a great opportunity to visit, often coinciding with some of the cooler and less crowded weather periods of the year at Walt Disney World.
Q: Is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series included with my park ticket?
A: Yes, all three daily performances of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre are included with your standard EPCOT admission. However, if you want guaranteed, premium seating, you will need to book one of the separate Disney on Broadway Dining Packages.
Q: How much does the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine cost, and what is the prize?
A: The Wonderful Walk itself doesn’t have a single price—you pay for each of the five required dishes individually at the Artistic Food Studios Epcot. The total cost is generally around $35–$45, exclusive completer dessert (often a colorful cookie and a non-alcoholic drink) received after collecting all five stamps. The Figment’s Brush with the Masters prize is complimentary.
Q: What is the Expression Section: Paint-by-Number Mural?
A: It is a large, interactive mural where guests are given a brush and a small pot of numbered paint, corresponding to five squares on the canvas. Guests collaborate to complete the massive artwork one section at a time. It’s a completely free and fun activity that allows you to contribute to a shared masterpiece.
Q: Are there special activities for children at the festival?
A: Absolutely! The festival is very family-friendly. Key activities for kids include the Animation Academy (where a Disney artist teaches you to draw a character), the interactive Chalk Art area, and the highly popular Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt.
