EPCOT at Walt Disney World has got to be one of the best themed parks in the world. Not only is it home to some amazing rides like soarin and Test Track. It holds many special Festivals throughout the year.

Many people joke that EPCOT holds a Festival every day of the year. While that isn’t true, it almost is. Chances are if you booked a WDW vacation. EPCOT will probably be holding a Festival. In the beginning of the year you Start off with the Festival of the arts and at the end you have the Festival of the holidays. 

Below we go over the different festivals held at EPCOT. You will find out when they are typically held. What to expect and what makes them so special. 

Festival of the Arts

Festival of the Arts is typically held from mid January to mid February. The EPCOT Festival is all about art but we are not just talking about painting and drawing. It’s also about the colorful and Instagram worthy Food along with some amazing entertainment. 

One of the best things about this Festival is the one of a kind and unique merchandise you can purchase. Plus there are plenty of classes you can watch or join. Most are free but some will cost you.

Each day there is a half hour class held on how to draw different Disney Characters. You never know which character might be the subject that day. Could it be Mickey? Maybe it is Stitch! Guess you will have to go and find out. 

As you walk around EPCOT you may even encounter artists making art right in front of you. See painter’s painting. Or watch and see what you really could do with chalk on the ground. 

Now all art isn’t just paint and markers. Art can also come in the form of singing and dancing. Make sure you stop and catch a performance of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Here you will find some of the performers of Broadway classics like Newsies, Aladdin, Lion King and more singing some of your favorite Disney Songs.  

Now most people that come every year to experience the Festival of the arts don’t come for the Food like they do for the other EPCOT Festival. However, we are not saying the food is bad. It’s just more based on presentation than flavor. 

The food you will find here looks almost too good to eat. However, when you are spending on average $8 for a plate you better eat it and not just take pictures of it.

Flower and Garden Festival

EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival was the first festival that I ever got the chance to go to. Let me say that it did not disappoint. For years we would also miss out on Food and Wine by a couple of weeks. So one year I wanted to try and take advantage of the lower crowds in April and finally see what all the fuss was about with those EPCOT festivals.

Lately Flower and Garden has been held from early March to early July. 2023 is so far the longest it has ever been going from March 1 to July 5. You will find tons of amazing topiaries and garden display’s all around EPCOT. Plus some really amazing food booths. EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival is really starting to become a spring version of the Food and Wine Festival held in the fall. Hey, we are not complaining though.

Now all around EPCOT you will find topiaries of your favorite Disney characters. One of my favorite recently was the Seven Dwarfs. It just looked so cool and even makes you wonder how long that even took.

After a little research I have found out that it takes a full year to prepare for the festival. Around 400 Disney horticulturists to get everything together. This includes a butterfly tapestry of flowers, floating flower planters, over 500 gardens, almost 100 Disney character topiaries, and millions of blooming flowers.

EPCOT is the perfect place for pictures during the Flower and Garden Festival. You will find some amazing back drops for all your personal and Instagram photos.

Now the food at Flower and Garden is well worth it. The food is amazing and unique and packed full of flavor and interesting options. It would be hard to find something that you DON’T want to try.

There are usually around 15 plus food booth located around EPCOT. You can find things like frushi, crawfish pie, chicken and waffles, Beef Tenderloin Tips, and so much more. Plus you will get the chance to taste some amazing beverages.

Just be prepared to spend a little bit of money. Most of the food and drinks come in between $5 and $10. I like to come to EPCOT every night during the festival to grab my dinner or just a quick snack. It is well worth it.

Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival is usually held every year from late August to mid November. The last couple of years it has started a little earlier in mid July. Hey we are not complaining about that one bit. We usually visit WDW in early August so it gives us a chance to try all those wonderful eats.

Now the food at Food and Wine is arguably the best out of any of the festivals held at EPCOT. You will find things here that you can’t find at any of the other festivals. Things like lamb chops, “Le Cellier” Beef Filet Mignon , and they have even had lobster tails.

The quality of the food is amazing. They really do go all out on the food and drinks you can find all around the festival. Now just remember each your is different from the year before. What they had last year they might not have this year.

Now the food and well, wine isn’t the only thing that you will find at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival. You can also experience different culinary demonstrations. They have free and paid ones. The paid ones start off around $15 to $20. Not a bad price to learn how to cook your new favorite dish. Plus at some of them you can even try samples.

 International Festival of the Holidays

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays is the last festival held at EPCOT every year. It typically runs from Thanksgiving till the end of the year. Two things usually draw people to this festival. The Candlelight Processional and the holiday cookies.

Now you will also find food booths or should we say holiday kitchens. You won’t find as many as you would at Flower and Garden and Food and Wine but there are still over 10. Each one has something unique to offer.

Now, if you are like many people, you just love sweets around the holidays. The holiday cookie stroll just might be what you are looking for. Try some amazingly wonderful cookie flavors. Or just go with a classic ginger breadman. If you get a festival passport and get a stamp from 5 of the different cookies you try you get a neat little surprise to take home with you.

The Candlelight Processional is another popular thing to do when visiting EPCOT for the International Festival of the Holidays. Come listen to a  celebrity narrator, narrate the story of Christmas.  There is also a  50-piece orchestra and choir that sing and play music throughout the show.

While you are walking around waiting for the next show be sure to stop off in each of the countries. Here you will find holiday storytellers that share how the holidays are celebrated in that country. Do you have any idea where you can find a Mischievous Magical Barn Santa? Take a walk around the world to find out.

As you can see EPCOT holds a festival almost everyday out of the year. They all have something unique to offer as well as some really good food. Let’s be honest with ourselves. We go to the festivals for the food. The food really is the star of the show.

Have you ever been to one of the EPCOT Festivals? Have you been to all of them? Do you go every year? Let us know in the comments below.