Live music and good food go hand-in-hand, and when you’re visiting Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival, you’ll have lots of chances to take in both.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival.
What is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series?
What would an Epcot festival be without some live entertainment?!
Taking place nightly throughout the entire length of the Food and Wine Festival, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series brings live music to the World Showcase.
These aren’t long concerts that require you to set aside precious vacation time to see.
Nope.
They are short (usually 20-30 minutes) sets where scheduled performers sing some of their greatest hits.
But, that’s kind of the perfect length, in our opinion. It gives you time to sit down, relax, and tap your toes without taking away a large chunk of your Epcot touring time.
When are the Eat to the Beat Concerts?
The Eat to the Beat Concert Series takes place the entire length of the Food and Wine Festival.
In 2023 that means you can catch either a world-renowned band or local favorite nightly from July 27 to November 18.
There are 3 sets per night:
- 5:30 PM
- 6:45 PM
- 8:00 PM
Where are the Eat to the Beat Concerts?
The Eat to the Beat Concerts all take place at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot.
That’s an outdoor theater located at the back of the World Showcase in the American Adventure pavilion.
Bench seating (the benches do have backs) is provided.
How much does it cost?
The Eat to the Beat concerts are included with your admission to Epcot.
Who performs at the Eat to the Beat concerts?
Although there are performances every night, only the famous acts perform on the weekends.
Famous acts
Big-name bands perform Fridays-Monday nights. Here’s the complete 2023 lineup:
- July 28-29
Orianthi (NEW) - July 30-31
For King & Country (NEW) - Aug. 4-5
Southern Avenue - Aug. 6-7
Tiffany - Aug. 11-12
Ruben Studdard with Haley Reinhart - Aug. 13-14
The Fray - Aug. 18-21
Joey Fatone & Friends - Aug. 25-26
Ayron Jones (NEW) - Aug. 27-28
Phillip Phillips (NEW) - Sept. 1-2
Baha Men - Sept. 3-4
MercyMe - Sept. 8-9
Ray Parker Jr. - Sept. 10-11
Tobymac - Sept. 15-17
Raul Acosta and Oro Solido (NEW) - Sept. 18
Bacilos (NEW) - Sept. 22-24
Los Amigos Invisibles (NEW) - Sept. 25-26
98 ° - Sept. 29 – Oct. 2
Boyz II Men - Oct. 6-7
Mark Wills - Oct. 8-9
Sugar Ray - Oct. 13-14
Hoobastank - Oct. 15-16
Air Supply - Oct. 20-21
Taylor Dayne - Oct. 22-23
Billy Ocean - Oct. 27-30
Hanson - Nov. 3-4
We The Kings (NEW) - Nov. 5-6
Sheila E. - Nov. 10-11
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Nov. 12-13
38 Special
Local bands
On Tuesdays-Thursdays, you can catch local bands performing. We’ve seen several of these acts in the years past, and although they may not be “world-renowned”, they are still really good!
Eat to the Beat Dining Package
Disney does offer Dining Packages and while they aren’t typically needed, they can save you a bit of time because having one means that you won’t have to line up early (or even at all, really) to catch a show.
Unlike the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages are not typically necessary.
We only recommend purchasing one of these if:
- There is a group/band you really want to see, and having the closest seat possible is important to you.
- You don’t want to bother with lining up early (more important during busy holiday weekends).
- You were already planning to eat at one of the spots included anyway.
Dining Packages are available Fridays through Mondays and typically includes a meal at select Table Service locations in Epcot and reserved seating in the America Gardens Theatre for one of the Eat to the Beat performances happening the same evening as your dining package reservation.
- Spice Road Table: Includes 2 small plates, a shared dessert platter, and a nonalcoholic beverage
- All Other Participating Restaurants: Includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert or one (1) full buffet/family-style meal (where applicable), as well as a nonalcoholic beverage
The following Eat to the Beat Dining Packages are available for 2023. These dining packages are ONLY offered Friday to Monday. They are not available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
| RESTAURANT | ADULT (AGES 10 & UP) | CHILD (Ages 3 TO 9) |
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Norway Pavilion | B – $64.00 L/D – $74.00 | B – $41.00 L/D – $48.00 |
| Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion | L/D – $60.00 | L/D – $34.00 |
| Coral Reef Restaurant The Living Seas | L/D – $69.00 | L/D – $27.00 |
| Garden Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion | B – $53.00 L/D – $66.00 | B – $34.00 L/D – $43.00 |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion | L/D – $95.00 | L/D – $36.00 |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse America Pavilion *Available as same-day dining package | L/D – $35.00 | |
| Rose & Crown Dining Room United Kingdom Pavilion | L/D – $59.00 | L/D – $25.00 |
| Spice Road Table Morocco Pavilion | L/D – $47.00 | L/D – $20.00 |
Same-day dining packages information:
There are also a limited number of same-day dining packages available, too.
There is only 1 restaurant participating in 2023:
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse (Quick Service)
To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Regal Eagle Smokehouse during the Food and Wine Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Are the Eat to the Beat concerts worth making time for?
The great thing about any of the concerts at Epcot is that, in general, it is very easy to enjoy them without actually giving up your time in the park.
The theater is outdoors, and you can see and hear what is going on from quite a ways away.
Oftentimes the shows aren’t full, meaning you can walk up and grab a seat right before it starts – and food and drink are allowed in, so you don’t even have to chug your beer before you sit down.
So, while you typically won’t find us lining up early to catch a show, you will often find us grabbing a seat right as the show starts with our festival favorite food and drink in hand.