The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a festival that made its Disney debut in 2017. This festival is centered around making you a part of the creative process. You can get involved by watching demonstrations, participating in hands-on activities, and attending live performances. There are many unique elements to discover throughout the festival that make it a one-of-a-kind experience.
With this guide, you'll be able to make the most of your visit to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. So let's get started!
When is The International Festival of the Arts and is There a Fee?
For 2025 the festival is being held January 17 through February 24. The festival doesn't cost anything to attend. It is a part of your regular Epcot park ticket admission.
When the festival began in 2017 it was only open during the weekends. Now this popular festival runs 7 days a week.
Festival of the Arts Activities
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
The festival will feature The Disney on Broadway Series. You can find Disney musicals being performed at the American Garden Theater. These performances will run daily at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm.
The schedule for 2025 is as follows:
Patti Murin (Frozen) and John Riddle (Frozen)
- January 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, 27, and 28
Caissie Levy (Frozen) and Jelani Remy (The Lion King)
- January 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30
Adam Jacobs (Aladdin) and Josh Strictland (Tarzan)
- January 31
- February 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, and 11
Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King)
- February 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 13
Michael James Scott (Aladdin) and Kissy Simmons (The Lion King)
- February 14, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24
Rodney Ingram (Aladdin) and Kara Lindsay (Newsies)
- February 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24
If you have your heart set on a certain performance and want to make sure you get seating, you might want to take advantage of one of the dining packages available.
You can book a dining package online through the Disney website that will give you priority seating to a performance. The participating restaurants and prices are:
Biergarten Restaurant
- Lunch and Dinner $71 adults and $38 kids
Chefs de France
- Lunch and Dinner $68 adults and $34 kids
Coral Reef Restaurant
- Lunch and Dinner $78 adults and $31 kids
The Garden Grill Restaurant
- Breakfast $71 adults and $43 kids
- Lunch and Dinner $85 adults and $53 kids
La Creperie de Paris
- Lunch and Dinner $51 adults and $24 kids
La Hacienda de San Angel
- Lunch and Dinner $82 adults and $37 kids
Le Cellier
- Lunch and Dinner $106 adults and $42 kids
Nine Dragons
- Lunch and Dinner $58 adults and $23 kids
Regal Eagle Smokehouse (same day walk up only)
- Lunch and Dinner $39 adults and $23 kids
Rose and Crown Pub
- Lunch and Dinner $65 adults and $28 kids
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
- Lunch and Dinner $80 adults and $45 kids
Spice Road Table
- Lunch and Dinner $60 adults and $23 kids
Tepan Edo
- Lunch and Dinner $80 adults and $45 kids
Tutto Italia Ristorante
- Lunch and Dinner $75 adults and $28 kids
Via Napoli Ristorante di Pizzeria
- Lunch and Dinner $63 adults and $27 kids
Food Booths
One of the highlights of any festival at Epcot is the food booths. What is especially great about the food booths at this festival is how beautiful all of the food LOOKS. Presentation is key here.
Once food booth information is available this article will be updated.
Photo Opportunities
Throughout the festival you'll find tons of fun photo ops for the family.
First, look out for artistic backdrops all around the park. Here you can have fun stepping in to painting and making it your own!
While the Disney website says that photopass photographers will be on hand, we've found that often these stops are available but only if you can take your own photo. So be prepared with your phone or personal camera.
Photo locations include:
- 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
- Bridge to World Showcase: Mary Poppins
- Bridge to World Showcase: Sleeping Beauty
- Near Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana: Moana
In addition to these photo ops, you'll also find several fun Magic Shots available throughout the park during the festival.
If you aren't familiar with Magic Shots, these are photographs taken by Disney Photopass photographers that have some sort of special effect added to them.
At the festival there are several unique magic shots available. This article will be updated once I get the 2025 Magic Shots.
The following photos are Magic shots from previous years:
Magic shot featuring Figment can be found at the front of the park.
This circle view Magic shot can be found in the front of the park before Spaceship Earth.
This long exposure shot is only available across from the Creations Shop after dark.
See how this really cool shot is done here:
Artwork on Display
As you walk through the park you'll find art work on display all around. Disney themed art exhibits and displays will be found. These displays are available for your enjoyment at no extra cost.
If you are looking to purchase an amazing souvenir you can check out the art galleries throughout the pavilions.
Interactive Art Experiences
If you are looking for a more interactive experience, you can take advantage of various seminars and workshops that are being held around the park. They are all fun for everyone, plus they are entirely free!
Expression Section: A Paint By Numbers Mural
One of the most popular art experiences is the mural along Showcase Plaza that guests are invited to help paint.
This is a paint by number mural that is simple and fun. All you have to do is grab a small container of paint, find the number that matched it, and then fill in the corresponding squares. The best part is walking by the mural throughout the day. As guests work on it, more and more of the mural comes together, revealing adorable images of Figment. Seeing it come together before your eyes is simply amazing!
This experience is open from 11am - 5pm daily during the festival.
Animation Academy
Here you'll learn how to draw your favorite characters in an animation artist lead lesson. You'll find this experience in the American Gardens Theater at 12:30pm and 1:30pm daily.
The animators featured in 2025 include:
- Luke Consolo
- Matthew Dewater
- Justin Dring
- Will Gay
- Hannah Loflin
- Alex Maher
- Michael Montgomery
- Sarah Schmidt
- Lon Smart
Kids Chalk Art
Have your own little artist? Give them the chance to show off their artwork at the Kids Chalk Art area.
You'll find this area on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza.
Paid Extras
If you're looking for a fun little extra, you can purchase Figments Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt.
This costs $9.99 (plus tax) and will have you searching for famous works of art throughout the festival.
Once completed you can show your completed map to Cast Members at participating locations for a prize.
This year's prize is a paint your own figurine of either Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, or Figment. And don't worry. If you can't finish the scavenger hunt you can still collect your prize (you can even collect it when you purchase the map if you want).
You can find the maps at the following location for purchase (and redemption):
- Creations Shop
- Port of Entry
- World Traveler
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Still confused or need help?
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See you at the parks,
-Julie
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