Are you planning a trip out to the Epcot Festival of the Arts this year?
If so, you may be wondering what in the heck is this Disney festival about and what should you do there?
The Epcot Festival of the Arts is Disney’s way of combining the creativity of arts and food in only a way Disney can do from January 17th to February 24th of 2025!
Although it began only a few years ago, the Festival of the Arts has become a huge part of the Disney Foodie Culture.
Now let’s go through some of my favorite things to do at the Epcot Festival of the Arts that I know you’ll love too!
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Visiting the 2025 Epcot International Festival of the Arts at a Glance:
- This Epcot Festival will take place daily from January 17 to February 24, 2025!
- Epcot opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.; however, the food booths (also known as the Food Studios) don’t open until 11 a.m.
- Witness the new fireworks show called Luminous the Symphony of Us
- Explore all of the magnificent Art Defying Gravity show
- Capture the most incredible photos with a group of your beloved Disney Hipster Friends with the Artful Photo-Ops!
- Listen to the wonderful artists as they bring you classic tunes from DISNEY ON BROADWAY.
- Eat your way through the festival with the colorful cuisine (my favorite thing to do)!
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer this Disney Festival event like a pro!
1. Learn How to Draw
While you’re at the Epcot Festival of the Arts, be sure to stop by the American Gardens Theatre to learn how to draw one of the most-beloved Disney characters from an actual animator.
The shows for this experience begin daily at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Listen to Podcast Episode 62 Below on What to Expect from the Festival of the Art
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2. Check Out the Sidewalk Art
One of my most favorite things to do at this Epcot Festival is watching an artist create a work of art only using chalk.
You can find them throughout Epcot as they bring some of the most famous Disney films to life.
You can check this out along the bridge to World Showcase Plaza.
Kid can create their own Chalk Art
Your whole family can now create a masterpiece made with chalk at the Epcot Festival of the Arts! Below are the details about this fun and exciting artist adventure:
- Where: At the bridge to World Showcase Plaza
- When: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3. Watch a Broadway Show at Disney
Did you know that you can watch a Broadway Show at Walt Disney World? Well, kind of…
At the Epcot Festival of the Arts, you can enjoy classic Disney tunes sung by Broadway’s most-famous actors right here in Central Florida.
What time does Disney on Broadway at the Epcot Festival start?
You can catch this show on select days from January 17 to February 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the American Gardens Theatre.
2025 Disney on Broadway Show Schedule:
Patti Murin (Frozen) and John Riddle (Frozen)
- January 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27 and 28
Gavin Lee (Beauty and the Beast) and Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid)
- January 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24 and 25
Caissie Levy (Frozen) and Jelani Remy (The Lion King)
- January 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 29 and 30
Adam Jacobs (Aladdin) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
- January 31
Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King)
- February 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13
Adam Jacobs (Aladdin) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
- February 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11
Michael James Scott (Aladdin) and Kissy Simmons (The Lion King)
- February 14, 16, 17, 20, 23 and 24
Rodney Ingram (Aladdin) and Kara Lindsay (Newsies)
- February 15, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 24
4. Pose in Your Favorite Painting
There are Artful Photo-Ops all over Epcot World Showcase where you can place yourself in some of the most famous paintings ever!
This is one of my favorite things to do at Epcot Festival of the Arts that I know you’ll love too.
Here are the Artful Photo-Op locations for this year’s Epcot Festival of the Arts:
- International Gateway: Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- The American Adventure Pavilion: Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
- Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
- Bridge to World Showcase: Mary Poppins
- Bridge to World Showcase: Sleeping Beauty
- Near Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana: Moana
5. Contribute to a Masterful Art Piece
The Paint by Numbers Mural is by far one of the most popular things to do at this Epcot Festival. It’s a fan-favorite and something EVERYONE can participate in.
How does the Epcot Paint by Numbers work?
All you have to do is head to the main booth, grab your mini portrait of the finished painting and you’ll be given a number and a certain paint color.
Once you make it to the mural, you’ll paint the numbers you were given until your paint runs out.
It’s such a fun thing to do at the Epcot Festival of the Arts. Below are the details about this experience:
- Where: Expression Section booth near World Nature
- When: Daily 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
6. Meet the Artist
While shopping your heart out on Epcot’s World Showcase, you’ll be able to meet the artists of the paintings and artwork that you’re looking to purchase.
This is what makes the Epcot Festival of the Art a fan-favorite. The artists are always so welcoming and ready to answer any of your questions that you may have about their pieces.
Art in Performance
This is a cool experience where you watch some of the most talented creators conjure up a magnificent piece of artwork right before your eyes in the World Showplace Plaza! You can get the full schedule on your Disney World app.
7. Have Fun Shopping
Don’t forget to pick up some of your favorite Festival of the Arts merchandise on your visit.
Each year, Epcot creates some of the most colorful merchandise that you can only find during this festival.
Figment, a classic Disney character, is prominent and the Disney merch is always a hit for this Disney event.
8. Check Out the Art Galleries
Of course it would be an art festival if you didn’t check out the ARTWORK…
Luckily for you, Disney offers many art galleries for you to gaze upon in hopes of purchasing or possibly inspiring you to create your own piece of work.
Here are some of the featured Artist Galleries for this year:
- Greg McCullough, who will do a live painting inspired by the festival logo
- Ann Shen and Ashley Taylor, who collaborated on vibrant companion pieces—an image of Anna and one of Elsa—for this year’s event
- Josey Tsao, an artist and illustrator presenting delightful Disney artwork, including a Moana-themed design
- Darren Wilson, a Disney Cast Member and artist whose collection includes a piece that celebrates Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Larissa Brown, an artist who creates magical moments with bold, expressive colors
- Rob Kaz, an oil painter whose work was chosen for this year’s festival poster
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
9. Go on a Scavenger Hunt with Figment
With Figment’s Brush with the Masters, you’ll go on an epic journey with this beloved Disney character to help you learn about art while cruising along the World Showcase.
How does Figment’s Brush with the Masters work?
- All you have to do is buy your map with it’s stickers from Port of Entry, Creations Shop or World Traveler.
- Next, you search for Figment who will be hidden in many of the most-known artistic works at each World Showcase pavilion.
- Whenever you find Figment, add the correct sticker to the pavilion.
- After you have found each Figment, you’ll go back to Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler for your prize!
- Just know that the cost is $9.99, plus tax.
10. Do the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
If you have done the Cookie Stroll during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays, then you’ll be familiar with this foodie challenge.
On this Festival of the Arts adventure, you can eat your way around the world trying different colorful dishes.
How does the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine work?
- First you will have to buy 5 delicious dishes from the designated locations
- Then you will put the matching stamps inside your Festival Passport to match up with the location
- Finally, you’ll bring your completed Festival Passport to Deco Delights for a “free” colorful culinary prize
Featured foods on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine:
- Enchanted Rose from Opening Bites in CommuniCore Plaza
- Deconstructed Key Lime Pie from The Deconstructed Dish in World Discovery
- Almond Frangipane Cake from Deco Delights near Port of Entry
- Avocado-Coconut Custard Tart from Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina in the Morocco Pavilion
- Chorizo and Potato Empanada from Vibrante & Vivido: Encanto Cocina between the Morocco and France Pavilions
- Citrus-Braised Beet Tartare from Gourmet Landscapes in the Canada Pavilion
- Raspberry Pastry Tart from Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey
Hipster Power Tip: You don’t have to do the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine in one day. You can split up the challenge throughout your visits to the Festival of Arts. Just be sure to use the same Festival Passport and don’t lose it.
11. Eat Your Way Around the World
Be sure to check out all of the most incredible Disney food at the Studio Booths throughout the Epcot Festival of the Arts.
They have some of the most spectacular creations that are not only visually pleasing, but taste incredible.
You can check out the full Epcot Festival of the Arts menu here.
What to Know Before You Go Epcot Festival of the Arts
Before we end this foodie guide, let’s go through a few things you should know before you make your way over to Disney’s Epcot.
Epcot Festival of the Arts Details
- Will take place throughout Epcot
- Is open daily from January 17, 2025 to February 24, 2025
- The Food Studios open from 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Epcot admission and reservation required
- Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older
How much does Epcot cost?
A one-day REGULAR season Epcot ticket starts at $109* (prices do fluctuate based on the season).
What are the Best Rides at Epcot for Adults?
- Soarin Around the World
- Living with the Land
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Read the full guide to doing Epcot the grown-up way!
How many countries does Epcot have?
There are 11 (eleven) countries in Epcot.
What are the countries in Epcot?
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- America (United States)
- Japan
- Morocco
- France
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Where are the best places to have a drink Epcot?
Like everywhere in the park and I mean that. Nothing else needs to follow…
I will say that Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion and La Cava Del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion are the absolute best places to chill and enjoy a drink. If it’s not too crowded.
Don’t Forget to Have Your Drinking Around the World at Epcot Passport Handy
Don’t get overwhelmed trying to plan your perfect route around World Showcase. You already have enough to worry about for your Disney vacation.
Get your Drinking Around the World Passport to help you keep track of your progress of the best drinks in Epcot.
What are the best drinks at Epcot?
Although it’s ALWAYS hard to narrow down my list, these are my top 5 must have alcoholic beverages for Epcot:
- Avocado Margarita from La Cava del Tequila in Mexico
- Leaping Leprechaun from Rose & Crown Pub in United Kingdom
- Apple Ice Wine from the Trading Post in Canada
- Sangria from La Cava del Tequila in Mexico
- Violet Sake from Japan Pavilion
Recommended: 21 Best Drinks at Epcot You MUST TRY
Wrapping Up…
As you can see, there’s so much to do at this Disney festival. Whether you’re a foodie lover or an artistic person, you’ll be surprised to see all that is offered just for you.
Remember that this event will run from January 17, 2025 through February 24, 2025 with the Food Studios being available from park opening to park closing.
A theme park reservation and valid EPCOT admission is also required to attend this event.
What’s your favorite Epcot festival? Let us know in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
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(Original Article Date: June 28, 2020/Updated On January 16, 2025)