2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Guide

Share:

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns in 2026 for 39 colorful days of food, music, and creativity. If you love Disney art, Broadway, pretty plates, or just hunting for Figment, this is your festival.

Here’s everything in one place so you can plan it like a pro.

Festival Dates & Basics

  • Dates: January 16 – February 23, 2026
  • Location: EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort
  • What it is: A mash-up of visual, performing, and culinary arts with:
  • Food Studios (festival food booths)
  • Disney artist signings and galleries
  • Live performance art
  • DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
  • Interactive activities like paint-by-number murals and scavenger hunts

Festival offerings are included with EPCOT admission, with some extras (such as dining packages or scavenger hunts) available at an additional cost.

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

The America Gardens Theatre turns into a mini Broadway venue during the festival.

Where: America Gardens Theatre (American Adventure pavilion)

What to expect:

  • Broadway performers singing songs they made famous on stage plus other Disney hits
  • Rotating pairs of performers every couple of weeks
  • Multiple shows daily

Seating:

  • First-come, first-served with regular EPCOT admission
  • Dining Packages (on sale starting Dec. 17) offer guaranteed seating plus a meal at select EPCOT restaurants

If DISNEY ON BROADWAY is a priority, book a dining package or aim for earlier shows and line up a bit ahead of time.

Food Studios: Art You Can Eat

Throughout EPCOT, nearly 20 themed booths serve beautifully crafted dishes inspired by art, culture, and imagination — from Figment-inspired sweets to globally creative bites across World Showcase. With the Festival Passport you can take part in the “Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine” — collect stamps by trying select dishes for a fun prize at Deco Delights!
Disney Parks Blog

🍽️ What’s New & Noteworthy

🎨 Artistic Eats Across the Park

World Celebration & Studios – New sliders, deconstructed BLTs, and fan-favorite creative bites set the tone for the festival’s delicious start.

Figment’s Inspiration Station – Whimsical treats, such as rainbow popcorn waffles and colorful cakes, bring imagination to life.

Global Flavors in World Showcase – Explore unique offerings from Mexico to Japan:

Mexico: Chile Relleno Tacos & Tropical Paleta

Italy: Mozzarella Fritta, Polenta Pasticciata

China: Char Siu Pork Buns & General Tso’s Shumai

Japan: Sushi Doughnut & Wagyu Bun

Festival Favorites & Classics – Don’t miss the Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie, funnel cakes, and Pastoral Palate’s beef short rib.

🍹 Drink Highlights

From hard seltzers and craft brews to frosé and imaginative non-alcoholic beverages, each booth pairs drinks to elevate the tasting experience.

👩‍🎨 Fun & Convenience Notes

Festival-themed Disney Gift Cards make easy, cash-free snacking.

The Festival Passport encourages guests to explore new flavors and earn collectible rewards.

⭐ Top Picks to Try This Year

🍔 Deconstructed BLT – A gourmet reinterpretation of a classic.

🥟 Sushi Doughnut – Fun, Instagram-worthy fusion bite.

🍫 Figment Fantasy Cake – Colorful and sweet, perfect for dessert.

🌮 Chile Relleno Taco (Mexico) – Spicy and savory festival standout.

🧀 Mozzarella Fritta (Italy) – Classic comfort food with artistic flair.

Festival Favorites to Photograph

🎈 Rainbow popcorn treats and colorful layered cakes.

🍪 Artist Palette Chocolate Chip Cookie — always a crowd-pleaser.

🎨 Whether you’re chasing vibrant photo ops or delicious bites from around the world, this year’s Festival of the Arts food guide offers something for every taste and every artist at heart.

Click HERE to view the entire 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Foodie Guide.

Featured Artists & Where to Find Them

The festival is packed with Disney artists whose work you normally see in galleries, on merch, or in publishing—and now they’re in the park.

Some of the 2026 Artist Lineup

Rosana Iarusso (New in 2026)

  • Senior Character Artist for Disney Consumer Products
  • Known for: Disney Princesses, Tinker Bell, Minnie, classic characters
  • Disney Art Focus: Ducks, Mickey, Princesses

Darren Wilson

  • Senior Manager of Graphic Design for Disney Parks, Products & Experiences
  • Has created art for Disney & Pixar’s Coco, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, The Lion King, Aladdin, and more
  • Disney Art Focus: Princesses, Up, The Lion King

Yesenia Moises

  • Afro-Latina author, illustrator, and toy designer
  • Known for Afro Fantasy art, bold colors, and whimsical characters
  • Disney Art Focus: Attractions, Kingdom Hearts

Dave Perillo

  • Illustrator with a retro, mid-century modern style
  • Started in medical publishing, moved into pop-culture and convention art
  • Disney Art Focus: Attractions

Jerrod Maruyama

  • Freelance illustrator specializing in “cute” character designs
  • Works with major entertainment and toy brands
  • Disney Art Focus: Parks, Mixed properties

Dylan Bonner

  • Returning for his 6th year
  • Works heavily on Disney Princess projects across comics, toys, consumer products, and fine art
  • Disney Art Focus: Princesses

Josey Tsao

  • LA-based illustrator with a background in theme park concept design and animation backgrounds
  • Has collaborated with Imagineering, Disney Publishing, Yellow Shoes, and WonderGround Gallery
  • Disney Art Focus: Ratatouille, Stitch, Rapunzel, Castles

Artist Signings & Meet-and-Greets

  • Artist signings: Select artists will be signing artwork throughout the festival.
  • Where & when: Appearances take place in various locations around EPCOT—details and schedules are listed in the Artist Portal and the My Disney Experience app.

If you’re hoping to meet a specific artist or get a piece signed, check the Artist Portal and plan that into your day.

Live Art & Interactive Experiences

This festival is very “hands-on”—you’re not just looking at art, you’re part of it.

Live Painting & Visual Art in Performance

  • Location: CommuniCore Hall Plaza and other festival hubs
  • Watch artists paint Disney characters live, turning blank canvases into finished works right in front of guests.
  • Performance times are listed in the My Disney Experience app under Visual Art in Performance.

Animation Academy

Where: America Gardens Theatre

What you do:

  • Sit with a Disney animator who walks you step-by-step through drawing a Disney character.
  • You leave with your own sketch as a free souvenir.

Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural

  • You’re assigned a color and a few numbered squares on a giant mural.
  • After you paint your section, step back later in the day to see the full artwork completed by hundreds of guests.
  • Great photo op and super family-friendly.

Chalk Art Galleries

  • EPCOT’s walkways become 2D illusions as chalk artists create massive pieces directly on the pavement.
  • Some feature Disney characters; others are original concepts or perspective tricks.
  • You might catch artists actively working if you visit earlier in the day.

Figment Fun: Brush with the Masters

Figment is still the unofficial mascot of the festival, and he gets his own activity.

Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt

How it works:

  • Buy a map + sticker set at Creations Shop, Disney Traders, or World Traveler.
  • Wander World Showcase to find famous works of art with Figment cleverly inserted.
  • Match the correct sticker to each pavilion as you find them.
  • Return your completed map to claim a special keepsake.

It’s a great way to keep kids engaged while adults browse food booths, galleries, and shops.

Disney Lorcana Takes Over EPCOT

For 2026, the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game becomes a full-on festival experience.

Collection Quest

  • Open Disney Lorcana booster packs and trade with other guests in the Illumineer’s Lounge (Morocco pavilion).
  • Complete the quest to earn a limited-edition “Magical Places” promo card (while supplies last).

“Ink & Find” Quest

  • Look for giant Lorcana cards placed around EPCOT.
  • Match them to special ink stickers in your complimentary Festival Questbook.
  • When you complete the hunt, claim an additional “Magical Places” promo card.

Where to start:

  • Pick up your Festival Questbook on the bridge between World Celebration and World Showcase.
  • Redeem promo cards at Illumineer’s Lounge (Morocco) or Figment’s Inspiration Station at The Odyssey.

Artful Lorcana Photo Op

  • Don’t miss the Artful Photo Op featuring card art from the Lorcana set Fabled.
  • Pose between glimmers of Mickey Mouse as the Brave Little Prince and Princess Minnie on a whimsical carousel.

2026 Festival Merchandise: Figment Front and Center

 

You know Figment wasn’t sitting this one out.

Highlighted items include:

Spirit Jersey

  • Bright teal, purple, pink, and blue palette
  • Figment drawing World Showcase front and center
  • “EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2026” splashed across the back

Loungefly Ear Headband

  • Figment-inspired art print on the band
  • Purple bow with fireworks detailing
  • Spaceship Earth medallion in the middle

Baseball Hat

  • Vibrant blue with Figment painting around Spaceship Earth

Ornament

  • Figment brings a burst of imagination to your holiday tree

Figment Plush

  • Paint-splattered artist apron, beret, and paintbrush in hand

Loungefly Novelty Bag

  • Figment painting the sky, surrounded by trees, fireworks, and Spaceship Earth
  • Wearable as a purse or backpack

Corkcicle Water Bottle

  • Festival icons: music notes, paintbrushes, World Showcase elements
  • Designed to keep drinks cold as you explore

Festival Mug

  • Cozy, winter-friendly mug perfect for hot cocoa, cider, or coffee

Merch is scattered across festival booths and shops—Figment’s Inspiration Station and Creations Shop are usually great places to start.


Who This Festival Is Perfect For

  • Art lovers: Original artwork, live painting, chalk art, galleries, and artist meet-and-greets.
  • Foodies: Picture-perfect dishes, unique plating, and creative flavors across 20+ Food Studios.
  • Broadway and music fans: DISNEY ON BROADWAY concerts almost every night.
  • Families: Scavenger hunts, Animation Academy, paint-by-number mural, Lorcana quests.
  • Figment fans: This is basically his Super Bowl.

Whether you’re stopping in for a single day or planning a full long weekend around it, the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Jan. 16–Feb 23) packs a ton of experiences into that early-year sweet spot.