Updated September 11, 2026
EPCOT will begin 2027 with a celebration of imagination when the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Presented by Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game returns from January 15 through March 1, 2027. The event will transform the park into a living gallery filled with visual art, inventive food, live performances and hands-on experiences.
Disney has now shared the first details for the 2027 festival, including the return of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, new and returning Disney Lorcana experiences, 19 Food Studios and creative activities for guests of all ages.
Festival details at a glance
- Dates: January 15–March 1, 2027
- Location: EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort
- Featured sponsor: Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game
- Food: 19 Food Studios throughout EPCOT
- Entertainment: DISNEY ON BROADWAY concerts several times each evening
- Creative favorites: Animation Academy, paint-by-number mural, Artful Photo Ops, chalk art and visiting artists
A festival where every kind of art takes center stage
Festival of the Arts debuted in 2017 and has quickly become one of EPCOT’s most distinctive seasonal events. Visual, culinary and performing arts share the spotlight, allowing guests to move from galleries and artist demonstrations to Broadway music and beautifully plated tasting dishes.
Interactive elements are a major part of the experience. Disney has confirmed the return of Animation Academy, where guests can practice drawing a Disney character, and Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural, where thousands of individual squares gradually become one large work of art. Artful Photo Ops let families step into oversized interpretations of famous artwork for memorable pictures.
Disney Lorcana expands its festival presence
Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game returns with festival-exclusive offerings, including promotional items and gifts with purchase available at the event. Disney also announced the return of three experiences for Lorcana fans:
- Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt
- Collection Quest
- Illumineer’s Lounge
Specific participation details, availability and purchase requirements have not yet been released. Families interested in these limited offerings should watch for official updates and plan to visit merchandise locations early in the day when possible.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
Broadway performers will once again take the stage at America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion. The concert series features Disney songs performed by artists who helped bring them to life on Broadway, alongside other showstopping favorites.
Disney says a new pair of performers will take the spotlight every two weeks. Concerts are scheduled several times each evening, and admission is included with valid EPCOT park entry. Standard seating is first-come, first-served.
Dining packages will be available later for guests who want guaranteed concert seating combined with a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant. The complete performer lineup and package on-sale date will be announced closer to the festival.
Explore 19 Food Studios
The 2027 festival will feature 19 Food Studios located throughout EPCOT. These temporary kitchens treat food as an art form, pairing creative flavors with colorful, picture-ready presentation.
Menus have not yet been announced. Once Disney releases its Foodie Guide, guests can identify must-try dishes, check allergy-friendly options and plan a tasting route. Sharing small plates is a helpful way for families to sample more of the festival while managing their dining budget.
Meet artists and watch creativity happen
Guests will be able to see artists at work in several forms. Disney has confirmed Chalk Art Galleries, quick-painting demonstrations featuring Disney characters and live music around the park. Artwork from visiting Disney artists will also be available to browse and purchase.
Artist names, appearance dates and locations will vary. If meeting a particular artist or purchasing signed artwork is important, check Disney’s official schedule shortly before your visit.
Planning tips for families
Give the festival time to unfold
Festival of the Arts rewards exploration. Rather than treating every booth and activity as a checklist, combine creative experiences with nearby attractions. Younger guests may especially enjoy Animation Academy, the paint-by-number mural, chalk art and playful photo locations.
Choose your concert strategy
If the Broadway concert is a priority, consider joining the standby line early or reserving a dining package once they become available. Performance pairings change during the festival, so travel dates may influence which artists you can see.
Budget for food and art
Most displays and entertainment are included with EPCOT admission, but Food Studio items, merchandise, scavenger hunts, artwork and dining packages cost extra. Decide in advance which experiences are worth adding to your vacation budget.
Prepare for winter weather
January and February in Central Florida can range from warm afternoons to surprisingly cool evenings. Layers are helpful, especially if you plan to stay for nighttime concerts.
Who will love Festival of the Arts?
This festival is an excellent choice for art lovers, foodies, Broadway fans, Disney Lorcana players and families seeking hands-on activities. It also offers a relaxed way to experience EPCOT between attractions, with something creative waiting around nearly every corner.
Create your own unforgettable Disney story
The Travel Heroes can help choose travel dates, compare Walt Disney World resorts and plan an EPCOT visit around the festival experiences your family will enjoy most—all with no added planning fee.
Source: Disney Parks Blog, “2027 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: Dates and Offerings Revealed,” published September 10, 2026. Dates and offerings are subject to change.
