Epcot is known for its festivals – whether it’s the flagship International Food & Wine Festival, the Flower and Garden Festival or Festival of the Holidays, there is a festival for nearly every interest. The one that has captured our hearts is Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. We think this festival is by far the best that Epcot puts on. Find out why we think so.

Updated for 2021

The Art

It’s no surprise that the best part about this festival is obviously the art! Many Disney fans have pieces of Disney art in their homes to show off their fandom and the Festival of the Arts is the epicenter for Disney art. For as much as we all love the big five, sometimes there are characters people love just as much. The Festival of the Arts is the perfect place to find that unique piece of art centered around Pua or Flounder.

We’ve discovered so many artists we’ve never known about through the festival and happily collected their pieces for our own home. It’s hard finding art. The best part is that many of the artists visit the festival in person so you can talk to them about their history and process.

One of our favorite artists we discovered from the Festival of the Arts is Greg Visintainer. You may have seen some of Greg’s pieces at Disney Springs, but it wasn’t until we met him and heard him talk about his process did we really fall in love with his pieces. We now look forward to seeing him each year and picking up his latest piece.

The Experiences

No other Epcot festival truly lets you feel like you are part of the experience like the Festival of the Arts. Even the least artistic of the bunch can still walk away from the festival with their own piece of art.

Disney fans may remember the Animation Academy from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We were so bummed out when the academy was closed down, but the Festival of the Arts brings back the academy for select times at the Odyssey Festival Showplace. A Disney animator walks you through the steps to draw your very own Disney cartoon character. You get to walk away with a keepsake of your own!

For 2021, this experience was moved outdoors to the America Gardens Theatre. When we visited, they were only doing the experience twice a day.

Note: The following is not offered for the 2021 Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

Another experience at the Odyssey Festival Showplace is the workshops. There is an additional fee of $39 per person, plus tax, but you are able to participate in an interactive workshop led by one of the festival’s artists to create your own unique one-of-a-kind art piece. We did this with our favorite artist Greg Visintainer where we learned how to doodle as he does. It was so fun and definitely worth it.

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The paint-by-numbers mural has to be one of the most unique aspects of the festival. In 2021, this experience was moved over by the Land Pavilion/Seas Pavilion. Guests are given a small cup of paint with a brush and can paint a set number of squares. The painting was set up to be physically distanced from other parties. At the end, you get a small print of what the mural will turn out to be. Try and hit this experience early in the day, because it does close down at 5:30 p.m.

You’ll also find art on the ground by way of chalk art. Some really talented artists create photos that seem to almost pop from the ground. Keep an eye out because you may even be able to help out an artist finish their chalk art.

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It wouldn’t be an Epcot festival without a scavenger hunt. Figment leads you around the festival to discover some famous art pieces. There are plenty of places where you can purchase the map throughout World Showcase.

So you’ve made art, now it’s time to step inside a piece of art. There are several photo stops around World Showcase where you and your friends can literally be inside of a famous painting. These make for some pretty awesome photo-ops, so we recommend stopping for a few of these. One of our favorites is “Washington Crossing the Delaware” in the American Pavilion.

The Festival Marketplace is a large pavilion that has popped up during the COVID-era festivals and it’s a great spot. It’s big, air conditioned and has food booths, art, merchandise, and live performances.

Prior to 2021, the evenings were a great time to check out the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Broadway stars reprised their Disney roles and sang a medley of songs. There were three shows each evening with a dining package available for guaranteed seating, however, this experience was suspended for the 2021 festival.  

The Food

The food during the Festival of the Arts isn’t as prevalent as Food and Wine. It’s a bit more on the adventurous side and beautifully plated with the desserts really stealing the show. Some of our favorites include the Lemon Blood Orange Tart from Decadent Desserts and the Almond Frangipane Cake from Pop Eats! and the sipping chocolate flight.

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Our tip? Like as with any Epcot festival, we recommend getting a festival-specific gift card. It not only helps for budgeting, but it’s a lot easier to reach for the gift card around your wrist rather than have to rustle through your backpack or purse for your wallet.

Our Verdict?

The Festival of the Arts is an absolute must-do! It’s a bit more low-key of a festival (helped in part because it’s the newest one) but the art and activities combine for a unique experience you can only get during this event. This is also one of the few festivals where you can come away from it with some really unique stuff.  If you’re looking to have a classic festival experience in a fun new way, you can’t go wrong with the Festival of the Arts.