Each year Epcot holds four distinct festivals. While these were originally developed to increase attendance in the park, many people now plan their Walt Disney World vacations around them. Best of all most of the events in these festivals are included in your park admission!
Each year Epcot kicks off the year with the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. In 2020, the dates are January 17-February 24th. This festival features artists around the World Showcase, who display and sell visual art in many different forms. Also included are performing arts, including High School bands and jazz ensembles, living statues, Disney on Broadway Concert Series and so much more. This festival isn’t just for your eyes, though. Around the World Showcase, you can find booths selling beautiful looking snacks and beverages. I love art you can eat!
The next festival on the calendar is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This year it will be held from March 4th -June 1st. During this festival, the park comes alive with more flowers and topiaries than you can imagine. The whole park is transformed! You can find topiaries of all your favorite Disney characters and even explore a butterfly garden. Another highlight of this festival is the included Garden Rocks Concert Series, featuring artists like Daughtry, Air Supply and Rick Springfield. Of course, there are outdoor kitchens located around the world showcase where you can purchase delicious small bites and drinks.
Epcot takes a break during the summer but returns with the biggest and best-known festival in the fall, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This festival is what started in all. The Food and Wine Festival is the longest-running festival, typically running from late August until just before Thanksgiving. Dates have not been announced for 2020. Scattered throughout the park at booths with food offerings from around the world. Many countries are included that do not have a pavilion in Epcot. I like to try something I’ve never had before…and since they are small bites (most considered snack credits if you are using any of the dining plans) I will eat 2 or 3 for a meal. This is also the time of year that many like to “drink around the world”, tasting many of the wine and other alcoholic beverages that are available. No Epcot festival is complete without music, and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series takes care of that. Last year some of the artists included Sheila E, Boyz II Men, Zach Williams, and Mercy Me. This is definitely the most delicious time of the year at Epcot!
The last festival of the year is the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This event is usually held during December. Christmas and holiday traditions from the 11 pavilions in the World Showcase are highlighted, as well as food available for purchase from special festival kiosks. The biggest event of this festival is the Candlelight Processional, a tradition was started at Disneyland by Walt Disney himself. Each night features a celebrity narrator, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg or Gary Sinise along with a full orchestra and choir, including students from across the country. The narrator tells the Christmas story assisted by the choir and orchestra, including traditional songs like “Silent Night”, “Joy to the World” and ending with the Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”. This event is so popular that it is hard to get a seat. Be sure to ask your Wishes & Dreams travel consultant how to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package.
No trip to Walt Disney World is complete for me without a trip to Epcot, and I look forward to enjoying each festival when I can.
Krista Robertson
Disney Vacation Specialist
