EPCOT Festival of the Arts sets 2026 dates and new features

Published on Oct 23, 2025, 3:56 pm CDT

3 min read

Key points

Runs January 16 to February 23, 2026
Disney on Broadway concerts included with admission
Over 20 Food Studios across the park
Figment scavenger hunt and Animation Academy return
Disney Lorcana activities join the festival lineup

Impact

What Changed: Walt Disney World confirmed 2026 dates and initial offerings for EPCOT's Festival of the Arts.
Why It Matters: Travelers can lock in winter trips, dining plans, and concert strategies for a popular seasonal event.
Dates: January 16 through February 23, 2026, at EPCOT in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
What To Do: Book park tickets early, plan Food Studio routes, and check back for dining package details.

Walt Disney World set the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts for January 16 through February 23, confirming the return of its Disney on Broadway Concert Series, more than 20 Food Studios, and fan-favorite interactive art experiences. The festival highlights visual, performance, and culinary creativity across EPCOT. Seating for the Disney on Broadway shows is first-come, first-served with admission, and Disney indicated dining packages will be detailed later. This timing lets travelers plan winter visits around concerts, exclusive merchandise, and new art-focused activities.

Walt Disney World and EPCOT

Launched in 2017, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has grown into one of the resort's most attended seasonal events, blending walk-up culinary studios with hands-on art and daily stage performances. For 2026, Disney reiterated the core lineup, including Figment's Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt, Animation Academy drawing sessions, artist signings, and photo setups throughout the park. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series returns to the America Gardens Theatre with several performances daily, included with admission and offered on a first-come basis. Disney also teased dining packages that pair a table-service meal with guaranteed concert seating, with specifics to follow.

Latest developments

Disney confirmed that the Disney Lorcana trading card game will be featured with new, art-forward activities during the 2026 festival. While details are still limited, the company framed Lorcana's presence as family-friendly programming that showcases the artwork on the cards. Expect additional announcements as the event approaches, including the full list of Food Studios and menus via the Disney Eats Foodie Guide.

Analysis

Winter festival demand at EPCOT tends to rise on concert weekends and during long holiday breaks. If you want guaranteed seating for a specific Disney on Broadway duo, monitor the dining package on-sale date and book the earliest available time that fits your park plan. For Food Studios, start near World Showcase entrance points and circle counterclockwise to minimize midday congestion, then return to favorites after 700 p.m./1900 when lines ease.

Two context notes for planners: EPCOT is simultaneously deepening park-wide programming around America's 250th anniversary, which may influence seasonal entertainment later in 2026, as seen in Disney's broader Celebrating America initiative. Also, some EPCOT projects continue on rolling timelines; review current attraction refurbishments when picking dates. Our related coverage of Disney's semiquincentennial plans and recent EPCOT updates can help set expectations: see our reporting on Disney Celebrating America and the ongoing Spaceship Earth refurbishment for planning context.

Final thoughts

For travelers eyeing a creative winter getaway, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2026 offers a compact six-week window with concerts, culinary pop-ups, and hands-on art, now with Disney Lorcana in the mix. Lock in tickets and lodging early, then watch for the dining package release to round out your EPCOT Festival of the Arts strategy.