2024 Epcot Festivals: Full Guide to The Best Events at Disney World

You may be wondering, what is there to do at Epcot in 2024? I have ONE answer for you and it’s the annual Epcot festivals!

Epcot at Walt Disney World is a park undergoing a complete transformation, yet in the midst of change there are four things that remain the same- the yearly festivals that are put on by Disney.

If you’ve ever visited Epcot during one of the four festival seasons, you’ll know that this is when Epcot truly comes alive with great food, fantastic drinks, unique entertainment, and a fun atmosphere.

If you’re still wondering what each of the festivals is all about and trying to choose which one to attend, then you’re going to want to keep reading!

Santa Claus and Dog at Disney Christmas at Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Keep reading for the full guide to 2024 Epcot Festivals.
Santa Claus at Disney’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

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1. Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts

Each year in January and February, Epcot puts on the International Festival of the Arts. This festival celebrates a variety of arts from painting to culinary arts.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts Large Royal Purple Pigment Paint on Grass. One of the best 2024 Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

When are the dates for the Epcot Festival of the Arts?

This year’s Epcot International Festival of the Arts goes from January 12th to February 19th of 2024.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts New Artwork. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

Inside Epcot, you’ll find Festival of the Arts experiences throughout the park.

Epcot Festival of the Arts POP Eats Chicken Art. One of the best 2024 Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

All activities are subject to change, so be sure to grab a times guide on the way into the park to be sure you know when various opportunities are.

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While World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery activities will open with the park opening, World Showcase will not open until 11 a.m.

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What makes Epcot Festival of the Arts unique?

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is one of the most unique opportunities at Walt Disney World.

Epcot Festival of the Arts 3D Art Chalk of Frozen Characters. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

There are multiple interactive exhibits throughout the park, including a massive paint-by-numbers wall, animations classes, and photo opportunities.

This makes it one of the BEST Epcot festivals to experience.

Epcot Festival of the Arts POP Eats Cake. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

For someone interested in great food, Festival of the Arts is really the pinnacle of Disney festival dining.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts Chalk Sidewalk art. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

The culinary arts are represented in almost 20 different outdoor kitchens and a new food stroll!

To see all of the food options be sure to pick up a festival passport when you enter the park.

Festival of the Arts is also a great time for unique entertainment. Throughout World Showcase you’ll find various musical and variety acts, but the real stars come out at night.

Festival of the Arts Japan Chirasi Sushi and Haupia Pearl. One of the best Epcot Festivals 2024 at Disney World!
Festival of the Arts Japan Chirasi Sushi and Haupia Pearl

Inside the theater at the American Adventure Pavilion you’ll be treated to a performance by Broadway stars who have been in a multitude of Disney on Broadway shows including:

  • Mary Poppins
  • The Lion King
  • Newsies
  • The Little Mermaid

Why should I go to the Epcot Festival of the Arts?

Because Festival of the Arts runs in the cooler months in Orlando, this makes for a great time to explore Epcot and all that the festival has to offer.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts Merchandise Figment Spirit Jersey and Tumbler. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

This also means the park is less crowded making it easier to get around and do everything.

Recommended: The Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World

2. Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Spring comes alive at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Here flowers are all in bloom and fresh foods are at the forefront.

Snow White and Seven Dwarfs topiary at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. One of the best Epcot Festivals 2024 at Disney World!

When is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?

The 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs from February 28th to May 27th!

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival colorful topiary with monorail in the background. One of the best 2024 Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

The festival takes over all of the park with blooming flowers, beautifully crafted topiaries, and dozens of outdoor kitchens.

What makes the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival unique?

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is unique because of the types of entertainment offered, the food created, and the masterpieces of flower beds and topiaries created around the park.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2023 Princess Tiana Topiary in the American Pavilion. One of the best Epcot Festivals 2024 at Disney World!

Even though this festival runs through some of the warmer months in Orlando, if you go earlier in the festival, you’re sure to see the flowers at their prime and enjoy a beautiful Florida day.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Japan Frushi. One of the best 2024 Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Japan Frushi

As of writing this, the menus and food kitchen locations have not been announced, but there are typically dozens of outdoor kitchens each with a unique spin on classic dishes.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2023 Mexican Food Booth with Spaceship Earth in the Background and Margarita. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

We also love the Flower and Garden Festival merchandise which is typically bright and colorful, and can be found throughout Epcot.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Merchandise. One of the best Epcot Festivals 2024 at Disney World!
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Merchandise

Each night there are performances from famous bands and artists inside the theater at the American Adventure Pavilion.

Why should I go to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival?

If you’re a fan of flowers and bright Florida days this is the festival for you!

Epcot filled to the brim with millions of blooms, and delights around World Showcase are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Canada Victoria Gardens at Epcot in Walt Disney World. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Canada Victoria Gardens at Epcot in Walt Disney World

Even though the park will be more crowded during this festival, if you go during the week it’s a little easier to manage.

Recommended: What’s New for Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

3. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Epcot’s biggest and most popular festival is definitely the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

2024 Epcot Food and Wine Festival at Disney Spaceship Earth

When is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

Dates for the 2024 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival have not been officially announced as of writing, but the festival usually spans mid-July to late November.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival loaded mac and cheese. One of the best Epcot Festivals 2024 at Disney World!

Outdoor kitchens can be found all over the park!

What makes it the Epcot Food and Wine Festival unique?

This is one of Epcot’s oldest festival, meaning that people know about it well and flock to it while it’s around.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Burger. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Throughout World Showcase and Future World, you’ll find over 25 outdoor kitchens, each with a unique theme and serving up some pretty delicious options.

The Food and Wine Festival is also a great spot to learn a little more about the kitchen and learn from celebrity chefs on a panel or a cooking demonstration.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival with Cast Member Chefs preparing food. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Each night in the American Adventure theater you’ll be able to enjoy live music from some of today’s and yesterday’s hottest bands.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Haiti booth with pastries. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

Some of the artists are more popular than others so be sure to plan accordingly if you’re wanting to get a seat inside the theater.

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Why should I go to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

This festival seems more like a tradition than anything else. It’s truly part of the Epcot experience, and it’s something every Disney fan should experience at least once.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Hawaiian Hot Dog. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

It’s great for foodie families, or people who really love trying new things.

Recommended: 15 First-timer Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips

4. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Epcot’s most festive festival debuts just in time for the holidays each year!

NikkyJ on Living with the Land Ride during Disney Christmas at Epcot Festival of the Holidays

When is the Epcot Festival of the Holidays?

The dates for the 2024 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays festival runs from November 29 through December 30, 2024 (final details pending).

Winnie the Pooh Character at Disney Christmas at Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2023

What makes Epcot Festival of the Holiday unique?

The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays highlights different holiday traditions from around the world, and showcases them in the form of food, entertainment and decorations.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays 14 Park Entrance with Topiary Goofy Holiday Decor. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

Throughout World Showcase you’ll find quite a few holiday kitchens featuring unique dishes from around the world that go with each countries’ holiday traditions.

Holiday Tree with Lights at Disney Christmas at Epcot Festival of the Holidays

In each country you’ll be able to watch their version of Santa talk about his or her routine on Christmas Eve, along with being able to get photos with each of them.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Santa Claus Story Teller in UK Pavilion
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Father Christmas Story Teller in UK Pavilion

In some countries they will talk about other winter holidays including Kwanza, Hanukkah, and Three Kings Day.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!

A big draw for this time of year is the Candlelight Processional, which tells the story of Jesus along with a full band, choir, and celebrity narrator.

This makes it one of the BEST Epcot festivals to visit!

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Why should I go to Epcot Festival of the Holidays?

The big reason to go to this festival is for the Candlelight Processional. This is an event many people wait all year for, then wait for hours at Epcot in a line to get a seat inside the theater.

Epcot Candlelight Processional 1 Chandra Wilson of Greys Anatomy. One of the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
Epcot Candlelight Processional (2015) Chandra Wilson of Grey’s Anatomy

This is also a great time to see Epcot all dressed up for the holidays, and explore the park when it’s cooler outside.

My Finals Thoughts on the Epcot Festivals at Disney World

As you can see, there’s so much for you to do at Walt Disney World besides the rides and attraction.

Before we wrap up on the yearly Epcot events, let’s recap the dates of each festival below.

When are the Festivals at Epcot. Full Guide to the best Epcot Festivals at Disney World!
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When are the 2024 Epcot Festivals at Disney World?

  • Festival of the Arts: January 12th to February 19th of 2024
  • Flower and Garden Festival: February 28 to May 27, 2024
  • Food and Wine Festival: Mid-July to Late November (final dates pending…)
  • Festival of the Holidays: November 29th through December 30, 204 (final dates pending…)

What is one of your favorite Epcot festivals? Let us know in the comments section below.

Megan DuBois Theme Park Writer

About the Author

Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.

She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.

UP NEXT: 5 BEST Things to Do at Epcot for Adults (YOU CAN’T MISS)

(Original Article Date: January 19, 2020/Updated by Editor on February 29, 2024)

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