Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts is here! I love this time of year because the weather is usually beautiful and I love the art theme at Epcot! Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts takes place from January 13th to February 2oth, 2023 This festival always takes place in early January through February, but the dates could vary slightly in the coming years. The festival is included with regular Epcot admission, but some special events at the festival are an extra charge.

With nearly year-round festivals, you may be wondering what makes the Festival of the Arts special or worth checking out on your next visit to Epcot. There is so much to see and do at the Festival of the Arts, and I really love this festival. It is an immersive celebration of the visual, culinary, and performing arts.

There is so much to see and do as well as taste and experience. There is such a wide variety of offerings from entertainment to interactive art displays, which helps make this festival really unique.

Festival Passports

To help you keep track of everything you see and do, like with other festivals you can pick up one of the free “Passports” at nearly every booth/cash register. You can also find the Passports at the front of Epcot by the park maps. Inside these Passports, you’ll find checklists of every food and drink item available for purchase, plus lots of information on the different Food booths throughout the World Showcase, artists, and events exclusive to the festival. There are also circles included with your Festival of the Arts Passport that you can use to track which booths you’ve visited. These act like “stamps” so that you can get your “Passport” stamped from different countries, which is something fun and different to do.

Like with the other festivals, Disney offers cute gift cards that fit around your wrist. If you’re trying to stick within a budget and limit what you want to spend on food and drinks, this is a great way to do that. You can load the wristlet gift card with a predetermined amount and wear it right on your wrist, making it easy to purchase your favorite drinks and snacks. If you run out of money on your gift card (because let’s face it.. there is SO much to try and spend your money on at Epcot) you can reload the gift card with more money.

Creative Food and Drink Options

While Epcot festivals feature special food booths, the presentation of the food at the Festival of the Arts is awesome and very creative. There are also special festival offerings at restaurants, and there are several fun desserts that are available in multiple locations like the deconstructed french onion soup (shown above) and the tomato soup served in a soup “can.”

Photo Opportunities

Photo Opportunities are another fun highlight of the Festival of the Arts. In addition to the photo ops with Festival signs, you’ll find fun photo ops where you can actually go “inside” a famous painting. These include:

International Gateway: Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The American Adventure: Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Leutze

Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci

Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: The Scream – Edvard Munch

Mexico Pavilion: An homage to Frida Kahlo

Bridge to World Showcase: Peter Pan Storybook

Italy Pavilion Courtyard: Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli

Bridge to World Showcase: Café Terrace at Night and Sunflowers – Vincent van Gogh

You can also find artists creating masterpieces out of chalk in the area between Future World East and the World Showcase Lagoon. Both 2D and 3D pieces are available to see. 3D Pieces are really cool because you can actually immerse yourself into the chalk art and become part of the artwork bringing the art to life, which looks really cool in a photo!

Step into iconic artwork from around the world at these unique art installations around World Showcase.

Wall Murals

The Paint by the Numbers Wall Mural is my favorite! The Wall Mural is an interactive experience that lets you help create a work of art large enough for all to see. Last year, I painted part of a figment. You are given paint with a number on it and are asked to pick 5 squares to paint. Then, when you are finished, you get a bookmark that shows what the finished painting will look like. This mural changes pretty frequently, depending on how fast the mural is painted by guests. Fun Fact: It usually takes about 2 days to complete a full mural with guests filling in each number

Figment’s Brush With the Masters

This fun scavenger hunt takes guests on a tour of the World Showcase while teaching you all about art. The map costs $9.99 plus tax, but it is a fun way to get younger kids involved in the festival. You can pick up your map and stickers at the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler.

Artist Booths

Throughout the park, you’ll find booths of art on display. Not only can you find fun art to buy, but some booths offer painted Disney Toms and marbled scarves that you can design yourself.

Entertainment

Festival guests will be able to enjoy entertainment all around Future World and the World Showcase.

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Disney on Broadway Concert Series is back for 2023! These concerts run from January 13th through February 20th. Shows start at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM. There will be different pairs of Disney on Broadway stars to perform some of their greatest hits from broadway. This includes stars from Aladdin, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, and more! You can also purchase the concert series dining package, which allows you to eat at one of 4 restaurants that guarantee special reserved seating for the Disney on Broadway concert series.

Animation Academy

Learn how to draw a Disney Character during each session led by an animation artist. Stop by the America Garden Theatre daily from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM for an Animation Academy session with one of these artists:

Will Gay

Lon Smart

Hannah Loflin

Matthew Dewater

Brian Blackmore

Sarah Schmidt

Luke Consolo

Michael Montgomery

Alex Maher

Justin Dring

Art Defying Gravity

Watch amazing strength and acrobatics during these awesome performances. Performances take place in World Showcase Plaza, Saturday through Wednesday during the Festival.

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes if you want to see this performance.

Art in Performance

See talented artists create works of art as they bring them to life right in front of you! Daily signings and select live performances take place throughout the festival.

 These locations can be found at various locations and stages all across Epcot. Performance times and days can vary.

Merchandise

You’ll find Festival of the Arts MErchandse with the cute Figment chalk art-inspired print at the Creations Shop or Festival Markets. You’ll also be able to purchase spirit jerseys, mugs, trading pins, and other fun items.!

If you haven’t had the chance to visit during this festival, I highly recommend you give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Looking to visit the Festival of the Arts next year? I’m here to help! Remember, my services are always free to help plan your next Disney vacation!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly