Complete Guide to Epcot’s Festival of the Arts

Complete Guide to Epcot’s Festival of the Arts

epcot-festival-of-the-arts-2021

Complete Guide to Epcot’s Festival of the Arts

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2024 is a fantastic experience that brings together art, food, and entertainment from all around the world. It’s our favorite EPCOT festival since it’s in the winter (no Florida heat, whew), colorful, and full of our friend Figment.

It is important to note that the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts lasts for six weeks, and includes various entertainment offerings, such as live artist performances and even a Broadway Series! We love this free festival included in your Epcot ticket and can’t wait to share more.

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EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2024: Complete Guide

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2024 is a vibrant celebration that combines art, culinary delights, and entertainment, making it a must-visit event for foodies, art enthusiasts, and families. Running from January 12 to February 19, 2024, this six-week festival is a highlight of the winter season at Walt Disney World, offering a cooler, less crowded alternative to explore EPCOT’s cultural and creative offerings.

The Festival of the Arts 2024 Dates are:

  • January 12th, 2024 – February 19th, 2024

Why You Can’t-Miss the Festival of the Arts 

  • Diverse Artistic Offerings: Experience live artist performances, breathtaking galleries, and hands-on workshops.
  • Culinary Masterpieces: Explore the Food Studios Marketplace for gourmet bites and sips inspired by various cultures.
  • Spectacular Entertainment: Enjoy the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, showcasing the talents of Broadway stars.
  • Interactive Fun: Engage in family-friendly activities, including art creation and scavenger hunts.
  • Included with Park Admission: All festival activities are included with your standard EPCOT ticket, making it an exceptional value.

Planning Your Visit

  • Festival Dates: January 12th to February 19th, 2024. The perfect time to enjoy Florida’s mild winter weather.
  • Best Times to Visit: Aim for weekdays in late January or early February for lower crowds and cooler temperatures.
  • Park Hours: The festival takes place during regular EPCOT operating hours, with the World Showcase opening at 11:00 AM.

What’s New for 2024

  • Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana: A new attraction that combines the magic of Moana with interactive water features.
  • Luminous: The Symphony of Us: End your day with this new nighttime spectacular, featuring fireworks, fountains, and a captivating musical score.

Related Page: How to Buy Discount Disney World Tickets

When is the Best Time to Visit the Disney Festival of the Arts 2024?   festival-of-the-arts-groot

So, you are in the process of planning your Walt Disney World trip and wondering when is the best time to visit the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?

Luckily January and February are two of the slowest months at Walt Disney World. And it’s arguably the best time to visit weather-wise! It’s most likely one of the main reasons they host the Disney Festival of the Arts. But hey, we’re not complaining!

The Best Times to Visit the Disney Festival of the Arts 2024:

  • Jan. 10-15, Jan 24-31
  • Feb. 1-14.

Related Page: Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Guide

EPCOT Festival of the Arts Foodie Must Tries:

  • Beef Wellington with Mushroom Bordelaise, Fennel Cream, and Roasted Baby Vegetables at The Artist’s Table. 
  • Cast Iron-seared Steelhead Trout with parsley salad, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, and lemon aïoli at the Craftman’s Courtyard. 
  • Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: Flexible Key lime curd, “Key lime” mousse, graham cracker cake, and meringues at the Deconstructed Dish
  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie  
  • Moelleux aux Noisettes et Chocolats Valrhona: Molten chocolate and hazelnut cake with pure origin Valrhona chocolates

Related Post: Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Guide

 What to Do at EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2024

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts is a cultural extravaganza that brings the worlds of art, food, and entertainment together in an interactive celebration perfect for families, foodies, and art lovers. Here’s a comprehensive list of activities and experiences to enjoy:

  • Art Galleries and Featured Artists: Explore galleries showcasing beautiful artworks and meet the artists behind them.
  • Live Performances: Witness artists creating masterpieces right before your eyes, including live painting and chalk art.
  • Dance and Acrobat Performances: Be mesmerized by dance routines and acrobatic feats around the World Showcase.
  • Interactive Art Activities: Participate in a giant paint-by-numbers mural or let kids unleash their creativity with chalk art.
  • Clever Photo Ops: Immerse yourself in life-sized versions of famous artworks and capture memorable photos.
  • Festival Merchandise: Shop for exclusive Festival of the Arts merchandise featuring Figment and more.
  • Seminars and Workshops: Learn from accomplished artists through seminars and hands-on workshops (some may require an additional fee).
  • Showcase Plaza Stage Performances: Enjoy a variety of live art performances and music from talented high school bands and jazz groups.
  • Culture Pavilion Galleries: Discover multicultural art in the World Showcase galleries, including works from Japan, Norway, Mexico, China, and the American Adventure.

This festival is a unique opportunity to explore the arts in a fun, interactive setting, all included with your EPCOT admission. Whether you’re admiring the talent of Broadway stars, exploring art galleries, or tasting your way around the world, the Festival of the Arts offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Best Hotels Near EPCOT Orlando

Disney Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Ah, the beloved EPCOT Festival of the Arts Concerts Series. Prepare to fall in love with some of Broadway’s finest performers singing Disney classics at the America Gardens Theater. Walt Disney World announced that the live performances will expand to seven days per week of the Festival.

Below is the schedule of performances in EPCOT!

Disney on Broadway Concert Series Schedule 2024

  • Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King)- February 1, 3, 5 and 6

  • Josh Strickland (Tarzan) and Kissy Simmons (The Lion King) – February 2, 4, 7 and 8

  • Mandy Gonzalez (Aida) and Michael James Scott (Aladdin) – February 9, 11, 12, 15, 18 and 19

  • Bradley Gibson (The Lion King) and Shoba Narayan (Aladdin) – February 10, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 19

So as you can see, the concert series typically features a handful of performers for a couple of weeks with two performing daily. Then at the end of those two weeks, those featured performers will all come together for a special performance. After this, a new group of performers does the same thing, and that repeats twice so about a dozen performers in total are featured throughout the series.

 Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages

Festival goers can sit back and enjoy dinner and a show with the EPCOT Festival of the Arts Dining Package. Guests can enjoy fabulous lunch or dinner options before attending a showcase of iconic DISNEY ON BROADWAY songs later that evening. Prices range from $35-$95 per person.

The following 8 restaurants are available for booking the Festival of the Arts dining package.

  • Akershus Royal Banquet (Norway)
  • Biergarten Restaurant (Germany)
  • Coral Reef Restaurant (The Living Seas)
  • Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land Pavilion)
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada)
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse (America)
  • Rose and Crown Dining Room
  • (United Kingdom) Spice Road Table (Morocco)

Related post: The Complete Guide to the Best EPCOT Restaurants

2024 EPCOT Festival of the Art Merchandise

figment-popcorn-bucket-epcot-festival-of-the-arts

One of our favorite things about all of the EPCOT festivals is the unique merchandise! This couldn’t be more true for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts merchandise, as they are one of a kind!

Guests can pick from their favorite Disney apparel including t-shirts, shorts, and of course Mickey ears. But one of the coolest things about the Festival of the Arts is guests can purchase pieces of work from the 100 Disney artists throughout the park. These fine art pieces include custom pieces, 3D sculptures, jewelry and so much more!

2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Merchandise Locations

Throughout the Park

Shop Disney artists throughout the World Showcase.

Disney Artist Gallery

Enjoy works featuring a variety of artists styles and media created by Disney cast members!

Wonder Ground Gallery

See your favorite Disney Characters and themes brought to life by these artists!

Related post: A Complete Guide to the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT

EPCOT Festival of the Arts FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?

A: Guests visiting in late winter can experience a completely free special event running at EPCOT called the Festival of the Arts. Here, you will find extras throughout the park, such as kid’s activities, free family painting activities, seminars, musical performances, and more! There are also opportunities to purchase sample-sized culinary creations from around the world. All EPCOT attractions will be operating as normal, there will just be exclusive merchandise, activities, and more!

Q: When does the EPCOT Festival of the Arts end?

A: The EPCOT Festival of the Arts begins on January 12, 2024, and ends on February 19, 2024, which makes it the shortest-running festival at Disney World!

Q: When did the EPCOT Festival of the Arts start?

A: The EPCOT Festival of the Arts is the newest, debuting in 2017 at EPCOT. This festival celebrates the three major disciplines of art: Culinary, Visual, and Performing Arts.

Q: What month does the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts typically start?

A: The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts typically starts in January and ends in February. It is one of the shortest-running festivals and is the late winter Disney festival.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!