Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use

More Info →

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Crowd Calendars
        • January Crowd Calendar
        • February Crowd Calendar
        • March Crowd Calendar
        • April Crowd Calendar
        • May Crowd Calendar
        • June Crowd Calendar
        • July Crowd Calendar
        • August Crowd Calendar
        • September Crowd Calendar
        • October Crowd Calendar
        • November Crowd Calendar
        • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
        • Magic Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Disney World Tickets
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Slinky Dog Dash
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Typhoon Lagoon
        • Blizzard Beach
        • Disney Springs
        • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • Resorts
        • On-Site
        • Off-Site
        • Disney World Value Resorts
        • Disney World Moderate Resorts
        • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
        • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
        • Dining Basics
        • Disney World Dining Plan Satuli Canteen
        • Disney Dining Plan
        • Animal Kingdom Disney World Dining Plan
        • Our top Table Service restaurants
        • Our top Quick Service restaurants
        • Guide to all Disney World character meals
        • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
        • 6 Step Planning Process
        • Disney binder planning workskeet
        • Planning Basics
        • Big Thunder Mountain exterior
        • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
        • Disney Movie Magic
        • Trip Planning for Families
        • Special Needs
        • Money and Shopping
        • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
        • Mask tips for Disney World trips
        • Cast Member with a mask
        • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
        • Disney Park Pass choose day
        • Where to find characters right now
        • Joy
        • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
        • How to tour Disney World right now
        • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
        • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
        • Choosing when to visit in 2021
        • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
        • How transportation works now
  • Mobile
      • Podcast
      • Become a WDW Prep Patron
      • About
      • Get a Quote
      • Things We Recommend
      • Contact
      • Search

Epcot Festivals & Special Events

WDW Prep School → All About the Disney World Parks (tips, resources, attractions, dining, and touring guides) → Complete Guide to Epcot at Disney World → Epcot Festivals & Special Events
  • Shannon Albert
Share on pinterest
PIN
Share on facebook
FB
Kermit from Flower and Garden Festival
  • Complete Guide to the Disney World Resorts
    • Values
    • Moderates
    • Deluxes
    • Villas
    • Offsite
  • Everything You Need to Know about Disney World Dining
    • Dining Plan
    • Our Top Picks
    • Dining Tips
  • Planning and Tips
    • Basics
    • Families
    • News
    • Money/Shopping
    • Special Needs
    • Projects/Downloadables
  • Epcot
    • Attractions
    • Touring
    • Dining
    • Special Events
  • Animal Kingdom
    • Attractions
    • Touring
    • Special Events
  • Hollywood Studios
    • Attractions
    • Touring
    • Dining
    • Special Events
  • Magic Kingdom
    • Attractions
    • Touring
    • FastPass
    • Dining
    • Special Events
  • 2021 Disney World Vacation Planner
    • Relaxation Stations
    • 13 ways planning has changed
    • Mask tips
    • Budgeting for food
    • Park Pass System
    • When to go in 2021
    • Where to find characters
    • Outdoor dining options
    • How transportation works now
    • Touring

Epcot is pretty much year-round festivals now, and that isn’t a bad thing.

With different themes and entertainment options, there’s sure to be a Epcot festival or special event for nearly every guest.

Here’s what you need to know:

Seasonal festivals

Epcot seems to always have a festival going on (except for the middle of summer, there literally is a festival always taking place).

The nice thing about these festivals is that anybody can attend with their park ticket and it adds more fun and food options to the park.

Get all of the details about the festivals in the guides below.

Festival of the Arts (mid-January through late February)

Epcot Festival of the Arts

The Festival of the Arts is probably the festival with the best weather, and second to only the Flower and Garden Festival for beautiful things to look at.

It has the vibe of an upscale farm and art market paired with cool and fun foodie offerings.

And, while all festivals offer merchandise, this festival has a lot more things to purchase since the World Showcase Lagoon is literally dotted with tents and kiosks of various artists sharing their wares.

Flower and Garden Festival (early March through late May)

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival entrance

Epcot never looks more lovely than it does for The International Flower and Garden Festival.

Dozens of topiaries, expansive plantings, and butterflies galore paint this park into a rainbow of color.

And don’t forget the food!

If you want to attend, the earlier in the season you can go you’ll find better weather (it can get pretty warm by the end).

Food and Wine Festival (late August through mid-November)

Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is the one that started them all.

This is THE festival if food and wine are your thing.

And, as you can imagine, it is also the most popular.

Avoid the weekends for slightly less crowds and be prepared for waits at the food kiosks.

But go hungry … very hungry.

Festival of the Holidays (mid-November through late December)

Candlelight processional

The International Festival of the Holidays is the shortest festival of them all.

Typically running from Thanksgiving through December 31st, this festival showcases a celebration of the holidays across the entire World Showcase.

You’ll find all sorts of ways to explore international holiday customs as well as taste culinary selections from around the world.

This festival is also home to the extremely popular Candlelight Processional.

What to expect if attending a festival at Epcot

Tickets

All Epcot festivals are included with the price of your admission, however, there are select events within each festival that may require an extra ticket. The guides above will walk you through all of those.

Eating on a trashcan

Many people that attend the festivals find themselves checking out at least 1 of the dozens of food kiosks scattered throughout the park.

What they may not expect is that there aren’t a lot of places to actually sit and eat what you buy.

Festival food

There is a pretty common “joke” about people eating off the tops of trashcans…which people will do.

No, it isn’t pretty, but it can be tricky to hold that fantastic flight of beers AND eat the plate of goodies all at once.

We don’t say this to scare you, but rather to prepare you. Don’t order more than you can hold and eat at once. Keep a good attitude and if you can, share your table with a stranger.

Disney Dining Plan

Lots of people want to know about how the Disney Dining Plan works with the festival kiosks.

The good news is that some items will be eligible for Snack Credits.

But, what is eligible varies from year-to-year so be sure you double check the menu before you order so you don’t wind up sad at the cash register.

Avoid the weekends

The festivals at Epcot are especially popular with locals, so for the lowest crowds whenever possible avoid the weekends and weekday holidays.

Last minute reservations can be easy to snag

If eating on a trashcan isn’t your thing, it is often fairly easy to snag last minute Advanced Dining Reservations at Epcot during the busy festival days.

So many people opt to eat at the kiosks that there is often availability at the restaurants.

You may not be able to snag Akershus or Garden Grill, but you’ll likely find openings at many of the World Showcase restaurants (especially if you are flexible with your reservation time).

Dessert party

Want fun desserts, reserved viewing for the nighttime show and a private ride on Frozen Ever After? Check out this dessert party guide for all the details.

  • Frozen Ever After Dessert Party

Read this next

Popular Related Articles

Related Posts:

  • 2020 Disney Dining Plan (cost, best credits, and is it worth it?)
  • 100+ tips for your Disney World trip
  • How to get the Disney World resort room you want
  • Things that don't exist at Disney World anymore
  • 2020 Guide to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
  • Disney Fantasy Staterooms Overview
  • Disney Dream Staterooms Overview
  • Complete guide to flights for your Disney World trip

In this category

More Tips and Tricks

  • All About the Disney World Parks (tips, resources, attractions, dining, and touring guides)
    • Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom at Disney World
    • Guide to Early Theme Park Entry at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Epcot at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Hollywood Studios at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Animal Kingdom at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Blizzard Beach at Disney World
    • Complete Guide to Disney Springs at Disney World

Ready to book a trip for 2021?

The team at Small World Vacations is ready to help get you started.

Get a quote now

Start here

  • Crowd Calendars
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
    • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Resorts
    • On-Site
    • Off-Site
    • Disney World Value Resorts
    • Disney World Moderate Resorts
    • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
    • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
    • Dining Basics
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • Our top Table Service restaurants
    • Our top Quick Service restaurants
    • Guide to all Disney World character meals
    • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
    • 6 Step Planning Process
    • Planning Basics
    • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
    • Trip Planning for Families
    • Special Needs
    • Money and Shopping
    • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
    • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
    • Mask tips for Disney World trips
    • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
    • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
    • Choosing when to visit in 2021
    • How to tour Disney World right now
    • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
    • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
    • Where to find characters right now
    • How transportation works now
  • Mobile

More Goodies

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search

I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

Meet us there


IG

FB

PI

TW

YT

EM

WDWprepschool.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, the Walt Disney Company.

PRIVACY POLICY

© 2021 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

WDW PREP SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM​

It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King retur It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King returns this summer!

It’ll be in a modified form for safety purposes. No specific reopening date given, but so happy the list of things to look forward to keeps growing. 🙌
Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening date available yet).

Now can we work on getting women included in the sequel?
Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studi Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studios decor and want to have these vintage Christmas ceramics at home? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Here’s how.

For original vintage pieces, search “Lefton Christmas ceramics” or “Napco Christmas ceramics.” These often run you $100+ and can usually be found on Etsy, eBay, and other resale stores.

For less expensive replicas, check out VermontCountryStore.com which has a small - but more affordable - collection, including the trio of candy cane girls.
It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out at Epcot, and random popups of Anna and Elsa in Norway are in.

They haven’t been appearing as reliably as Alice, Mary Poppins, Joy, and Winnie the Pooh, but be sure to be on the lookout when passing the Royal Sommerhus in Norway where they might just show up.
Load More... Follow on Instagram