As someone who’s spent the last decade exploring EPCOT festivals, here’s why Festival of the Arts is one of my favorites…
The four festivals held annually at EPCOT each have something special to offer, but there’s one I’ve come to enjoy most. Sure, Food and Wine is a foodie’s dream, Flower and Garden blooms with floral displays, and Festival of the Holidays packs in the festive feels, but the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is where you’ll find this Disney enthusiast making the most trips around the World Showcase this year.
Though it’s only a few weeks long—from Jan. 17 through Feb. 24, 2025—Festival of the Arts is a vibrant event that transforms EPCOT into a Figment-fueled fever dream of color, rainbows, and culture. There’s lots to do at the festival, from trying your own hand at Disney animation to shopping the works of beloved Disney artists like Dom Corona. And yes, there’s plenty of festival-exclusive food and drinks to try as you roam the event.
Here’s what to know about the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, including must-do activities you’ll want to cross off your checklist before the event ends on Feb. 24.
Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway
A new walkthrough exhibit in Communicore Hall celebrates three decades of Disney on Broadway.
The exhibit includes costumes and props from favorite Disney stage musicals (for those of you who attended D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim, these are many of the same items that were on display on the show floor).
Disney on Broadway fans can also get a more in-depth look “behind the scenes” to see how the classic animated films “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” were reimagined for the Broadway stage.
NOTE: You need to enter Communicore Hall on the Mickey and Friends side (the exit is by the Encanto show area).
Artistic Fun at Festival of the Arts
Unique to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, the park comes alive during the festival with artistic things to do.
Stop by the giant mural on the walkway between the World Showcase and the Imagination Pavilion to make your mark and paint part of a larger-than-life work of art, or visit Animation Academy: a twice-daily art class at America Gardens Theater where you can learn to draw a Disney character. Be on the lookout for chalk art drawings and artistic photo opportunities throughout the park as well.
There’s also Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt, a personal favorite of mine as it’s always been a fun way to keep our kids busy as we experience the festival. Simply stop into a participating shop throughout the park to purchase a scavenger hunt map for $10 and return the completed map to Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler for a prize. The 2025 prize for Figment’s Brush with the Master’s Scavenger Hunt is a choice between stencil sets featuring Mickey, Minnie, or Figment.
Entertainment at Festival of the Arts
The main draw for entertainment at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts each year is its line-up of Broadway performers who take the stage at the America Gardens Theater. On performance nights, you’ll see cast members from Broadway shows like “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” and “Aladdin” on stage at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. If you want to guarantee a stress-free seating situation at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, I recommend reserving a Disney on Broadway Dining Package, available at a collection of 15 unique dining experiences that vary in price and come with exclusive reserved seating for that night’s concert.
2025 Disney on Broadway Concert Schedule:
- Patti Murin (“Frozen”) and John Riddle (“Frozen”) – January 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, 28
- Caissie Levy (“Frozen”) and Jelani Remy (“The Lion King”) – January 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30
- Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) – January 31 and February 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11
- Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”) – February 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13
- Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”) and Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) – February 14, 16, 17, 20, 23
- Rodney Ingram (“Aladdin”) – and Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) – February 15, 18, 19, 21, 22
- Special Final Performance: Rodney Ingram, Kara Lindsay, Michael James Scott & Kissy Simmons – February 24
If you’re not planning to be at the festival after dark, there’s still plenty of entertainment to be experienced as part of the event. Around the World Showcase, live musicians, acrobats, and artists perform throughout the day, so be sure to check your Festival Passport guidebook for times and locations.
Eating and Drinking Your Way Around Festival of the Arts
No visit to an EPCOT festival is complete without trying the festival-exclusive food and drink offerings. EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is no exception, and in 2025, the festival will bring back old favorites and introduce lots of exciting new treats. New to EPCOT festivals? The best way to enjoy the culinary offerings of any festival at the park is to grab a Festival Passport at the entrance and comb through the list of food kiosks, choosing what you’d most like to try.
This year’s EPCOT Festival of the Arts brings the return of hits like empanadas at Vibrante and Vivido: Encanto Cocina and a darn delicious grilled cheese and tomato soup combo at Pop Eats. One of the best treats I tried last year is also back: a pink cream soda float at Swirled Showcase, made with vanilla soft-serve.
There are also plenty of alcoholic and alcohol-free sips to be tried around the festival, from Florida craft beers to a butterscotch milkshake with chocolate garnish, available at Fictional Victuals.
A great way to get a sampling of lots of festival dishes is to participate in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. On the last pages of your Festival Passport, you’ll find a list of seven menu items. When you try at least five (and have your festival passport validated with a stamp by the Disney cast members who serve it), and you’ll get a special, exclusive treat as a prize. This festive walk around the festival includes dishes like a Figment-purple raspberry pastry tart and citrus-braised beef tartare, and costs nothing (beyond the cost of each dish) to complete.
Festival of the Arts Merchandise
A trip to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts wouldn’t be complete without grabbing some of the fun, festival-themed merchandise as a keepsake. This year, the Festival of the Arts merchandise leans heavily on everyone’s favorite purple dragon, Figment, from a Figgy-emblazoned Loungefly mini backpack to t-shirts and pins featuring the character.
There are also plenty of stands set up throughout the park where artists sell Disney and non-Disney art, from canvas paintings to jewelry. In fact, one could spend an entire day at the festival just viewing the creative works on display everywhere from World Celebration to the World Showcase.
Memorable Photos at the Festival of the Arts
If, like me, you love commemorating your visit to Walt Disney World with photos, there are plenty of festival-specific photo opportunities at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. In addition to art-themed photo stops throughout the park, there’s a uniquely artistic touch to most of the character meet-and-greets during the festival. Each character out for photo ops around the World Showcase appears with special artwork during the festival—we saw Alice and Wonderland out with a painting of the White Rabbit, and Snow White posing with a beautiful artwork of herself, for example.
Disney PhotoPass photographers also have magic shots available during the festival—special images that feature characters like Figment—or Festival of the Arts photo props, so be sure to ask your photographer what extra magic they can make happen when you stop for photos in the park. Getting these special, festival-exclusive photos can be a fun keepsake of your time strolling around EPCOT.
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you visited EPCOT’s vibrant Festival of the Arts? Share your favorite moments, tips, and whether this festival tops your list of EPCOT events. Your insights not only enrich our community but also help guide fellow Disney enthusiasts in planning their visits. Join the conversation and let us know your Festival of the Arts highlights and tips!
My thanks to Laura Gonzalez and Samantha Davis-Friedman for their help with this article!