Epcot Festival of the Arts: Is It Worth a Trip?


This popular festival will be returning to Epcot from January 16–February 23, 2026 and Disney fans are already abuzz about all of the cool offerings and events this year will bring. But you may be wondering, aside from the delectable food, what else is there for me to do? Should I bother attending? Well, I'm happy to share that the festival includes so much more than just food booths! Read on to see what else you have to look forward to!


Visual Arts

This festival is chock full of delights for the eyes! There are topiaries, art displays, galleries, art merchandise booths and more! All around Epcot you will find gorgeous splashes of color and cool things to look at. One guest favorite is the murals.  There are PhotoPass photographers on hand to capture your fun, too! There are also fun photo ops with the "living statues" in Future World, and you and your family can help create a giant mosaic mural by painting some squares! 


There is art to enjoy and/or purchase all around the park.

Really put yourself into the art!

See how a little bit of work, by a lot of people, makes something beautiful!

Guests used to be able to enjoy the living statues in Italy and France
pavilions and now they are back for the festival!

See the works of well known Disney artists!

And watch local artists at work!



There are even local artists set up all over World Showcase, creating chalk, paint, and pencil masterpieces right before Guests' eyes! This festival will have you strolling around and finding new beauty all around Epcot!

Performing Arts

Festival of the Arts welcomes amazing Broadway performers to the American Gardens Theater, where they do three nightly shows of some of the biggest and best Broadway hits. 

2026 DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series Schedule 

Isabelle McCalla (“Aladdin”) – NEW! and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)  
January 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27 
Sierra Boggess (“The Little Mermaid”) – NEW! and Jelani Remy (“The Lion King”)
January 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29 
Anastacia McCleskey (“Tarzan”) – NEW! and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) 
January 30 
February 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10 
Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) 
January 31 
February 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12 
Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”) – NEW! Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”)  
February 13, 15, 16, 19 
Susan Egan (“Beauty and The Beast”) – NEW! and James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”) – NEW! 
February 14, 17, 18, 20, 21 
Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”), Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”), Susan Egan (Beauty and The Beast”), James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”) 
February 22, 23 



While you’re at the festival, get ready to step behind the curtain at CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT with Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway, an all-new exhibit showcasing the artistry behind beloved stage productions like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. From authentic props and costumes to intricate photo-ops and behind-the-scenes insights, this immersive experience will have you ready to give a standing ovation!

Culinary Arts

As I mentioned to you at the beginning of this post, there are also food booths all around World Showcase (a la Food and Wine Festival) that show off the culinary arts. Each food item is carefully plated and created with a rainbow palate in mind. They are just as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the belly! Be sure and use the link at the top of this post to check out this year's menus!




Interactive Experiences and Demonstrations

 One guest favorite is the Scanvenger Hunt. You can purchase a map for one of several merchandise locations, and in each country, locate where the character is hiding. Lucky little artists who find all of them get a special prize!Figment is back and hiding inside famous works of art around World Showcase! With its mix of imagination and discovery, this scavenger hunt is a wonderful way for kids to learn about art in a hands-on way while adults have just as much fun searching the pavilions and unlocking a keepsake at the end.

Purchase your map and stickers at Creations Shop, Disney Traders, or World Traveler, then set off on your artistic journey around World Showcase. Keep an eye out for Figment-themed picture frames tucked into each pavilion’s artwork and add the matching sticker to your map when you spot him. Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, head back to Disney Traders, Creations Shop or World Traveler to pick up a special keepsake!


Animation Academy
Learn how to draw a Disney Character during this session led by an animator!

Featured artists include:

Luke Consolo
Matthew Dewater
Justin Dring
Will Gay
Hannah Loflin
Alex Maher
Michael Montgomery
Fidel Santiago 
Sarah Schmidt
Lon Smart

Animation Academy takes place in America Gardens Theatre at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM daily.

Ready to make a visit to Walt Disney World Festival of the Arts? Contact us today by filling out a Free Quote Form to start planning your Disney World adventure to Epcot Festival of the Arts— we’ll help you pick the perfect resort, plan your itinerary, and send all of our tips and advice so you have a stress free vacation!

Summer Squires is a Mom of 4 who loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family vacations! You can email Summer at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.

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