Epcot International Festival of the Arts
What is it?
Well the name gives some of it away but there is so much more to the festival of arts then just art!
During this festival Epcot has 3 categories they highlight during these festivities which include culinary arts, performing arts and visual arts!
This is one the shortest festivals Epcot holds (January 13th-February 20th 2023) but don’t let the timeframe make you think it’s not as great as the longer running festivals such as food and wine or flower and garden.
Know before you go-
This festival is not a special ticketed event with the price of admission to Epcot You can participate in many of these activities for free. If you want to enjoy the special food, merchandise, demonstrations, etc., those come at an extra cost.
When is it?
January 13-February 20th
I recommend if you can to avoid attending the festival opening weekend and the last weekend those times typically are the most busy.
Festival of the arts is so unique in the fact that it is full of activities for everyone to participate in. Just a few to mention are (the ones listed below are free)
- -Paint-by-Number Mural. One of the highlights of the festival is the daily paint-by-number mural. Every guest has the opportunity to paint a few squares of the mural, which comes together throughout the day. The mural is typically scheduled to be completed by 5:00PM.
- -Artful Photo Ops. Fun photo ops where you insert yourself into an artistic work.
- -Kids’ Chalk Art. Opportunity for kids to engage in some chalk artistry of their very own.
- -Chalk Full of Character. Chalk drawings of Disney characters can be found throughout the park.
- -Galleries, Art, And Meet The Artists
Around the park. you’ll find new galleries, art for sale, and the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.
Performing arts:
This is the entertainment category which will include but not limited to an acrobatic show, performance artist paints a Disney character as the crowd cheers them on and living statues.
Every day of the festival features a performance at the America Gardens Theatre as part of the “Disney on Broadway” Concert series. This series features live performances from stars of Disney on Broadway shows. The 2023 lineup includes Kara Lindsay (Newsies) and Kevin Massey (Tarzan), Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin) and Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Patti Murin (Frozen) and Robert Creighton (Frozen), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida) and L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Michael James Scott (Aladdin), Kissy Simmons (The Lion King) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
You can take your entertainment up a level and purchase a DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series Dining Package. This guarantees you a seat for the live show and up to 8 unique eateries the price ranges $74-35$ if you would like more specific information on this package click here.
You also don’t have to purchase this package to enjoy the entertainment, however note that seating for these events will be first come first serve and if you decide last minute to buy a package you CAN the same day! Just use the my Disney experience mobile app to check availability!
Culinary arts:
Take a stroll around the world and delight your taste buds in mouth watering art! This year there are 16 specialty booths with only 15 last year. This year they have added a special booth for everyone’s favorite purple dragon Figment!
If you’re interested in the full details of the food booths click here.
The Festival of the Arts is adding more and more every year. To help you Disney provides a Festival Passport, along with information in the My Disney Experience app. These passports have information on special food, beverages & merchandise which is exclusive to the festival.
Are you a foodie and love trying new stuff? Then here’s a tip for you to do with your festival passport: look for specially notated menu items, then collect a stamp after each eaten item. Once you’ve enjoyed at least 5 of the 7 artistic dishes—and collected the corresponding stamps you can take your passport to the Deco Delights Food Studio to receive a surprise gift! More details on this click here
Conclusion:
This is a fun colorful festival that can really bring the whole family together in Epcot. Epcot is reflected often as the adult park with it being more food, drink and culture orientated but during Epcot’s international festival of the arts there truly is something for even the smallest ones in the group.