2026 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Guide

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts returns in 2026. If you’re feeling a little artsy, this particular festival invites you to explore your creative side, or if you’re anything like me, admire the work of those who are far more talented. This year’s festival takes place from January 16th to February 23rd.

During the festival, guests visiting Epcot will have the opportunity to enjoy incredible artwork, witness live demonstrations, experience performances by acclaimed Broadway performers, and savor tasty and visually appealing cuisine. Who knows? You might even take home a new piece of art personally signed by your favorite artist. While this festival is a little shorter than some of the others, it truly offers so much more than meets the eye. Below, we’ve shared a preview of everything announced to date for the 2026 festival. We update this guide as new items are released. So, check back often for more details!

Last Updated: December 16, 2025

2026 Dates: January 16th Through February 23rd

New at the 2026 Festival

The following items are new to this year’s festival:

• Once Upon a Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway Exhibit: This exhibit, located at Epcot’s CommuniCore Hall, features some of the artistry behind award-winning productions, including Aladdin, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.
• New Figment-Inspired Festival Merchandise: We’ve shared a preview of the items released by Disney a little further down.
• Six New Performers at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, with a special performance offered on February 22nd and 23rd as the festival comes to an end.

Artist Appearances

One of the highlights of the Epcot Festival of the Arts is getting to meet select artists, browse their work, and, in some cases, have artwork signed. We’ve put together a list of artists scheduled to appear at the 2026 Festival. It includes Disney Gallery artists showcased by Disney, along with additional artists listed by date and location. As always, appearances are subject to change.

Food Studios

Food Studios are another core part of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Called “Studios” for this festival, these food booths feature menus inspired by art and culinary creativity. As of this update, Food Studio menus for the 2026 festival have not been released. Once announced, this section will be updated with a list of Food Studios, sample menu items, returning favorites, and new offerings!

Wonderful Walk of Cuisine

The Wonderful Walk of Cuisine is a fun activity that requires guests to purchase at least five items from a selection of featured dishes. Once you’ve tried the items and collected a stamp for each one in your Festival Passport, you can exchange the stamped passport for a complimentary treat. We’ll have more details on this activity when the food menus are released.

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

The Disney on Broadway Concert Series offers guests the opportunity to see incredible actors perform show-stopping hits from plays like Aladdin, Frozen, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, Newsies, and more! Each Disney on Broadway Concert is held nightly throughout the festival in the America Gardens Theater at the American Adventure Pavilion. We have a list of performers with dates for the 2026 Disney on Broadway Concert Series if you would like to see who’s available during your visit.

While the concert series is included in the price of admission, it’s worth noting that some shows fill up. Seating is first-come, first-served. The only way to obtain guaranteed seating is by purchasing a dining package. If you’re interested in the specifics, we have an overview of this year’s dining packages with participating restaurants and prices.

Animation Academy

The Animation Academy is one of our favorite activities at the festival. An animator teaches guests how to draw a Disney character. The class takes place daily throughout the festival at the America Gardens Theatre. The class is offered twice daily at 12:30 p.m. and at 1:30 p.m. This year’s featured artists include:

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

We have a walk-through of our experience at the Epcot Festival of the Arts Animation Academy if you would like to learn more.

Expression Section: Paint-by-Numbers Mural

Another fun way to join in on the fun is to participate in the Expression Section: Paint by Numbers Mural. This year’s mural will be located on the walkway between the World Showcase and Imagination Pavilion. You’ll first stop by the Expression Section booth to pick up a paintbrush and paint. The booth is open daily during the festival from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After you get your supplies, you’ll join the line and help create the mural by painting the squares that correspond with your paint colors. We have a complete walk-through of the Paint-by-Numbers Mural if you would like to learn more.

Scavenger’s Hunt: Figments Brush with the Masters

Every Epcot Festival offers a scavenger hunt. For the Festival of the Holidays, you can participate in the Figments Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt. You’ll look for Figment at various locations throughout the World Showcase.

To participate, you’ll need to purchase a map and sticker set. The cost is $11.99 plus tax and will be available at Disney Traders, Creations Shop, and World Traveler. When you find Figment, you’ll match the sticker to the corresponding location on the map. When you’re finished, you can return the map to one of the shops listed above for a special surprise. Disney notes that the maps must be exchanged by the end of the festival on February 23, 2026. Our best advice is to have the cast member stamp your map at the time of purchase to receive your prize then. That way, you don’t forget it later.

Chalk Full of Characters

During your time at the festival, you’ll find chalk drawings of Disney characters throughout the World Showcase. Here is an example of characters from Disney-Pixar’s Luca.

Artful Photo Ops

Throughout Epcot, you’ll find a variety of artful photo ops in the form of step-in photo frames. Here are the ones announced for the 2026 festival:

• International Gateway: Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
  
• The American Adventure Pavilion: Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
  
• Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
  
• Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: The Scream – Edvard Munch
  
• Bridge to World Showcase: Tea time with penguins scene from Mary Poppins
  
• Bridge to World Showcase: Forest Scene from Sleeping Beauty
  
• Bridge to World Showcase: A Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game photo op, featuring a scene from Fabled – one of the most recent Disney Lorcana sets

Chalk Art Galleries

During the Festival of the Arts, you’ll find Chalk Art Galleries along the bridge between World Celebration and the World Showcase Plaza. This is the long walkway with planters filled with Crepe Myrtles, where the monorail passes through the park’s center. Throughout the day, guests can watch as chalk artists work. You can expect anything from reproductions of famous oil paintings to favorite Disney characters. Here are a few drawings from previous festivals.

Kid’s Chalk Art

Children can enjoy participating in chalk art at the Kids’ Chalk Art area on the bridge to the World Showcase Plaza. This activity is offered daily between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. throughout the festival. It is adjacent to the chalk art galleries.

Visual Art in Performance

Guests will also have the opportunity to see live artists paint a Disney character in minutes. This opportunity will be listed in the My Disney Experience app. Make sure to check for showtimes on the day of your visit. It will be held at CommuniCore Plaza.

Once Upon a Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway

Located inside CommuniCore Hall, The Magic of Disney on Broadway offers guests the chance to see authentic props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes insights. The exhibit will feature pieces from award-winning productions, including Aladdin, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. You can read more about this new festival exhibit debuting in 2026 here if you like.

Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game

If you’re a fan of the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in two interactive experiences designed for all ages. Guests can participate in the Collection Quest, which involves opening booster packs and trading cards in the Illumineer’s Lounge, and the Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt, where oversized Lorcana cards are hidden throughout EPCOT. Both activities are included with park admission and offer the opportunity to earn limited-edition Magical Places promo cards, while supplies last.

Festival Merchandise

During the festival, you’ll find numerous galleries set up throughout the park showcasing the various artists’ work. Here is an example of a gallery from a previous festival.

Additionally, Disney releases fan-based merchandise for the Festival of the Arts each year. We’ve already had a preview of the new Figment-inspired collection released for 2026. The collage below represents a few items that will be released on the first day of the festival. You can see individual pieces in the original preview here.

Final Thoughts

We’ll have more to come as Disney makes announcements ahead of the festival! Check back with Resorts Gal soon for more updates.

In the Comments

Are you attending the 2026 Epcot International Festival of the Arts? Let us know in the comments below.