Ultimate Guide To EPCOT Festivals: Calendar & Tips
Are you wondering about EPCOT festivals? You’re not alone. EPCOT hosts four major festivals each year, which can be overwhelming. We’ve simplified it for you. Our guide will help you plan your visit easily.
Are you ready to learn about EPCOT festivals?
Key Takeaways
- EPCOT hosts four major festivals each year: International Festival of the Arts (January-February), International Flower & Garden Festival (March-June), International Food & Wine Festival (August-November), and International Festival of the Holidays (November-December).
- Each festival offers unique experiences like special food booths, live shows, exclusive merchandise, and family activities. Prices for food items typically range from $4 to $10.
- The Disney Experience app and festival passports help visitors plan their trip, find shorter lines, and track activities during their visit.
- Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best days to visit EPCOT festivals to avoid crowds. Early mornings are also good for shorter wait times. But be aware that not all the booths will be open early in the morning.
- Finding the Magic Travel can help plan EPCOT festival trips at no extra cost, offering expert advice on the best times to visit and how to make the most of the experience.
Exploring EPCOT’s Festivals
EPCOT’s festivals bring magic to life all year round. We’ll take you through each fest, from art to food, flowers to holidays.
International Festival of the Arts
We love the International Festival of the Arts at EPCOT! It’s a fun event that runs from January 17 to February 24, 2025. This festival is full of cool things to see and do. You can watch Disney on Broadway shows, see art galleries, and join fun workshops.
There’s also yummy food to try at special booths.
At the festival, you’ll find over 100 Disney artists showing off their work. You can even buy some of their art to take home. If you’re hungry, you can get special meal deals. These range from $35 to $95 per person.
It’s a great way to enjoy good food and see amazing shows.
International Flower & Garden Festival
We love the International Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT! It’s a spring treat that runs from March 5 to June 2, 2025. The park turns into a bloom-filled wonder with over two dozen Disney-themed topiaries.
These plant sculptures bring our favorite characters to life in green!
The festival isn’t just about pretty flowers. It also teaches us about gardening. We can learn new tips and tricks to make our own gardens grow. Every day, we can enjoy live music at the Garden Rocks Concert Series.
It’s a great way to relax after walking around the park.
For families, there’s a fun scavenger hunt called Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration. It typically costs $9.99 plus tax. Kids love finding clues all over EPCOT. Don’t forget to try the yummy food and drinks at the festival booths.
Most items usually cost between $5 and $10. It’s a tasty way to sample flavors from around the world!
International Food & Wine Festival
We love the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! It’s a tasty trip around the world. You can try foods from 25 different places. The food costs $4 to $9, and drinks are $3 to $10.
Every night, there’s music at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Kids can join in too with Remy’s Hide & Squeak game. This year, look out for new food spots like Macatizers and Bramblewood Bites.
International Festival of the Holidays
We love the International Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT! It’s a jolly time from late November thru December. The Candlelight Processional is a big hit, with famous people telling the Christmas story.
You’ll see fun storytellers sharing holiday tales from around the world. The JOYFUL! shows that celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa are a must-see.
Food lovers will enjoy over 15 booths with yummy holiday treats and drinks. Kids will love seeing their favorite Disney pals in festive outfits. The gingerbread Spaceship Earth is a wonderful attraction.
It’s a sweet way to end your day at EPCOT!
EPCOT Festival Calendar for 2024-2025
We’ve got the scoop on EPCOT’s festival dates for 2024 and 2025. Want to know when to plan your trip? Keep reading!
Confirmed Dates for 2024
We’ve got exciting news for EPCOT festival fans! The dates for two big events in 2024 are set. Mark your calendars for the International Food & Wine Festival from August 29 to November 23, 2024.
This fest is a food lover’s dream with tasty bites from around the world.
Next up is the International Festival of the Holidays. It runs from November 29 to December 30, 2024. This event brings holiday cheer to EPCOT with festive foods, music, and fun for all ages.
Both festivals are part of your park ticket, so you don’t need to pay extra to join in.
These festivals offer unique ways to enjoy EPCOT. You’ll find special food booths, live shows, and cool stuff to buy. The Food & Wine Festival is great for trying new foods. The Festival of Holidays lets you see how different countries celebrate.
Plan your trip now to catch these fun events at Walt Disney World!
Predictions for 2025 Dates
We expect EPCOT’s festivals to follow a similar pattern in 2025. The International Festival of the Arts will likely kick off the year from January 16 to February 24. Spring will bloom with the Flower & Garden Festival, probably from March 5 to May 26.
Food lovers can look forward to the Food & Wine Festival, which we think will run from August 28 to November 22.
These dates are our best guess based on past years. They might change a bit, but they give you a good idea of when to plan your visit. Each festival offers unique experiences, from art shows to garden displays to food booths.
Keep an eye on Disney’s official announcements for exact dates as they get closer.
Highlights of EPCOT Festivals
EPCOT festivals offer unique food booths, live shows, special items to buy, and fun for families. Want to know more about these exciting events? Keep reading!
Unique Food & Beverage Booths
We love the special food and drink booths at EPCOT festivals. Each event has unique stands that offer tasty treats you can’t get any other time. The Food & Wine Festival is really enjoyable – it has over 30 booths! You’ll find delicious bites and sips from all over the world.
These festival booths are a great way to try new foods. Most items cost between $4 and $10, so you can sample many different things. We always look forward to seeing what new flavors each festival will bring.
It’s enjoyable to walk around the world showcase and find exciting dishes at every turn.
Live Performances
We love the live shows at EPCOT festivals! Each one brings something special. At the Festival of the Arts, we get to see Broadway stars sing Disney songs. It’s amazing to hear those big voices in the America Gardens Theatre.
The Flower and Garden Festival has the Garden Rocks concerts. Bands from the 60s to today play their hits. It’s fun to dance along while enjoying the pretty flowers. During Food and Wine, we groove to the Eat to the Beat shows.
They feature all kinds of music styles.
A favorite might be the Candlelight Processional at the Festival of the Holidays. A celebrity narrator tells the Christmas story with a huge choir and orchestra. It’s so moving! The music fills the air and gets us in the holiday spirit.
Exclusive Festival Merchandise
We love the unique offerings at EPCOT festivals! Every event features its own special merchandise. You can find shirts, pins, and other fun items that match the festival theme. These items are exclusively available during that festival, making them particularly special.
Many visitors enjoy collecting them.
The festival shops stock varying quantities of each item. Some products sell out quickly! If you spot something you really want, it’s wise to purchase it early. The most sought-after items are often the festival-exclusive ones.
They make wonderful gifts or mementos to remember your visit.
Festival Passports Explained
We love using Festival Passports at EPCOT. These handy guides pack all the info we need about each festival. They list every food booth and menu item. We can find them in the My Disney Experience app.
It’s easy to track what we’ve tried and what’s still on our list.
Festival Passports make our visits more fun. They include cool checklists for activities and scavenger hunts. We mark off each item as we go. It feels like a game, adding extra joy to our day at EPCOT.
With these passports, we never miss out on the best parts of the festivals.
Activities for Families
We’ve got fun for the whole family at EPCOT festivals! Kids love the scavenger hunts at each event. They can join Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration during the Flower & Garden Festival.
At the Food & Wine Festival, little ones hunt for Remy in his Hide & Squeak game. These hunts take families all around the park, making memories along the way.
Art lovers of all ages enjoy the Festival of the Arts. Here, we offer drawing classes where kids and adults can learn new skills. Families can work together on a big paint-by-number mural too.
It’s a great way to make art as a team! Food booths at all festivals have kid-friendly options. This means everyone can try new tastes from around the world.
Tips for Maximizing Your EPCOT Festival Experience
We’ve got great tips to help you make the most of EPCOT’s festivals. Learn how to beat the crowds, find the best food, and use the Disney app like a pro. Read on for more!
Optimal Times to Visit
We love visiting EPCOT festivals on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These days are less busy and more fun. Early Fridays work well too. We avoid nights and weekends because locals come then, making it crowded.
The first and last days of festivals get packed. Many bloggers and nearby folks show up those times.
We plan our trips for mid-week to beat the rush. This lets us enjoy more food booths and shows without long waits. Mornings are great for shorter lines at popular spots. We make sure to arrive when the park opens to get the most out of our day.
Strategies to Minimize Crowds
We have some excellent suggestions for managing crowds at EPCOT festivals. Consider visiting on Wednesdays or Thursdays, as these days typically see fewer visitors. If Friday is your only option, arrive early.
Weekends tend to be very busy, so it’s best to avoid them if possible. For the smallest crowds, visit when there’s no festival happening.
To maximize your time, use the Disney Experience app. It’s helpful for finding shorter queues and planning your route. Pick up a festival passport as well. It serves as a useful guide to all the booths and performances.
If you’re interested in a table-service meal, make reservations well in advance. Also, bring some snacks and water with you. This allows you to avoid long food lines when you need a quick snack.
Top Food and Drinks to Try
We love trying new foods at EPCOT festivals! Our top picks always include cheese dishes. The Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese is a must-try. It’s gooey, meaty, and so tasty. For dessert, we can’t resist the Belgian Waffles with Berry Compote.
The sweet berries and fluffy waffles make a perfect pair.
Don’t miss Emile’s Fromage Montage! It’s a fun food challenge with five yummy cheese dishes. We also adore the Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli. The pasta is soft, and the filling is creamy and full of fall flavors.
These treats are part of what makes EPCOT’s food and wine festival so special.
Navigating with the Disney Experience App
We love using the Disney Experience app at EPCOT festivals. It’s a must-have tool for our visits. The app shows us real-time updates on all the fun stuff happening in the park. We can see what’s going on right now and plan our day better.
The app also helps us book our meals early. We can grab spots at popular restaurants before they fill up. This is great for busy festival times. The app lets us look at festival passports and booth menus too.
We can plan what yummy foods and drinks to try before we even get there.
We find the app super helpful for getting around EPCOT during festivals. It’s like having a smart guide in our pocket. We can check wait times, find restrooms, and see where characters are meeting fans.
The app makes our EPCOT festival trips smoother and more fun.
Comparing EPCOT Festivals for Unique Experiences
EPCOT festivals offer unique experiences year-round. Each festival has its own special charm and features.
Top Food & Beverages at the Food & Wine Festival
We love the tasty treats at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival! This event has 25 food stands from around the world. You can try yummy dishes like cheesy macaroni with steak bits. There’s also pumpkin-filled pasta and sweet Belgian waffles with berry sauce.
Don’t miss Emile’s Fromage Montage – it’s a fun way to taste different cheese dishes.
Our favorite part is trying new foods from different countries. The festival has so many choices, it’s hard to pick just one! We always make sure to save room for dessert. The sweet treats are just as good as the savory ones.
With so much to eat, we plan to visit more than once during the festival.
Creative Activities at the Festival of the Arts
We love the Festival of the Arts at EPCOT! It’s full of fun things to do. You can paint on a big mural with lots of other people. It’s like a giant coloring book! We get to add our own touch to the park’s art.
There are also drawing classes where we learn to sketch Disney characters. It’s neat to see our favorite friends come to life on paper. The best part? We get to keep our artwork as a special souvenir.
For kids, there’s a cool scavenger hunt with Figment. We search for art all around the park. It’s a great way to see everything and have fun at the same time. With over 100 artists showing their work, we always find new and amazing pieces to enjoy.
Best Ambiance at the Flower & Garden Festival
The Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT brings spring to life. We love how the park turns into a colorful garden. Topiaries and flowers bloom all around. It’s like walking through a living painting.
The air smells sweet with flowers. Bright colors catch our eyes at every turn. We see Disney characters made of plants and flowers. These topiaries are works of art. Guests can relax in outdoor gardens.
The whole park feels fresh and new.
Music plays softly in the background. Food booths offer tasty spring treats. We can sit by a lake and enjoy the view. The mix of nature and Disney magic creates a perfect mood. It’s a great time to slow down and enjoy the beauty around us.
Unmatched Entertainment at the Festival of the Holidays
We love the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT! It’s packed with fun shows and music. The Candlelight Processional is a must-see. It happens at America Gardens Theatre. A big 50-piece orchestra plays holiday songs.
Singers tell the Christmas story too. It’s really special!
JOYFUL! concerts are another hit. They celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa with upbeat tunes. The whole park gets decked out for the holidays. We always look for the cool gingerbread display.
Plus, you can meet festive characters all around. It’s a great time to visit EPCOT and feel the holiday spirit!
Using Finding the Magic Travel for your next vacation.
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From picking the best dates to visit to finding great dining spots, we’ve got you covered. Our experts can even help you get the most out of your park time with smart tips and tricks.
The best part? Our help won’t cost you a dime extra. We offer our services at no added cost to you. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on the fun. Ready to start planning your magical EPCOT festival trip? Contact Us today and let’s make your Disney dreams a reality!
Conclusion
EPCOT festivals offer a world of fun for all ages. From art to food, flowers to holidays, there’s always something new to enjoy. Plan ahead, try new foods, and soak in the sights and sounds.
Don’t forget to grab a festival passport and use the Disney app. With our tips, you’ll make the most of your EPCOT festival visit. Happy exploring!
(Some of this post was generated by AI)
FAQs
1. What are EPCOT festivals?
EPCOT festivals are fun events at Disney World. They happen all year. You’ll find food and drink from around the world. Each festival has its own theme and special things to do.
2. When do EPCOT festivals take place?
EPCOT has four main festivals. They run at different times of the year. The Flower and Garden Festival is from March to early summer. The Food and Wine Festival is in fall. The Festival of the Arts is in winter. The Festival of Holidays is near Christmas.
3. Do I need to pay extra for EPCOT festivals?
Good news! EPCOT festivals are included in your park ticket. But, you’ll need to buy food and drinks at the booths. It’s smart to bring Disney gift cards to pay for treats.
4. What can I do at EPCOT festivals?
Each festival has its own fun stuff. You can try foods from different countries. Watch shows like the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. See pretty flowers and art. Learn about holiday traditions from around the world. There’s so much to do!
5. How can I plan for an EPCOT festival visit?
Check the park hours before you go. Look at festival menus online. Make dining reservations if you want a sit-down meal. Bring comfy shoes – there’s lots of walking. Get to the park early to beat crowds.
6. Are there tips for enjoying EPCOT festivals?
Yes! Pace yourself with food and drinks. Try the dining plan if you want to save money. Use the paint by number mural for a fun break. Don’t miss the holiday storytellers. Most of all, have fun and try new things!
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