Check out our 2023 Festival of the Arts OPENING DAY Coverage HERE!
CULINARY ARTS
Food Studios
The Festival of the Arts features Food Studios located around EPCOT! Two new Studios arrived in 2023 — Moderne, located near Test Track presented by Chevrolet, featuring new avant-garde menu items, and Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic.
In 2023, 16 Food Studios and additional locations delivered enhanced food offerings to Festival guests (much like the Marketplace Booths for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival).
Click HERE to Check Out the Complete List of Food Studios for the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts
The Festival features art-inspired dishes and drinks. Unique to the Festival of the Arts is a focus on presentation of the dishes. Many food items are their own works of art!
NEW Food Studios to the Festival of the Arts in 2023 included Moderne and Figment’s Inspirations Station.
Check out our Best of the Fest — the Must-Eats and Must-Drinks — for 2023 Festival of the Arts!
FREE Food Studios Printables
Of course, before you try all the artful eats, you have to FIND them! That’s why we provide our FREE map of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts Food Booths. Stay tuned for our 2024 map!
Just click on the image to download the map, then either save it to your phone or print it out to use while you’re at the festival!
Additionally, our FREE EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Printable List is a full list of the food and beverages being offered in EPCOT for the festival, so you can keep track of everything you want to try. Stay tuned for our 2024 checklist!
We color-code certain parts of the printable to make it easier to read. Red means the item is part of the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, green means it’s plant-based or allergy-friendly, and blue means it’s non-alcoholic.
Again, click on the image to download the 2-PAGE pdf, then either save it to your phone or print it out to use while you’re at the festival.
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine gives guests the chance to sample several items at the Food Studios during the Festival!
The 2023 items were:
- Gourmet Landscapes – Red Stamp: Blood Orange-Braised Beet Tartare with Mustard Vinaigrette, Pickled Clamshell Mushrooms and Golden Beets
- Moderne (NEW) – Orange Stamp: Pan-Seared Scallops with Vanilla-Butternut Squash Purée, Brown Butter Cauliflower Purée and Lime Foam
- Vibrante & Vivido: Encanto Cocina – Yellow Stamp: Chorizo and Potato Empanada with Turmeric Aïoli and Annatto Aïoli
- The Deconstructed Dish – Green Stamp: Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: Flexible Key Lime Curd, “Key Lime” Mousse, Graham Cracker Cake and Meringues
- Deco Delights – Blue Stamp: Orange Mousse with Lemon Cake and Raspberry Meringues
- Pop Eats – Indigo Stamp: Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Belgian Chocolate
- Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic (NEW) – Violet Stamp: Pop’t Art: Sugar Cookie with Blueberry Filling
Guests purchase five to seven designated items at various food booths, receiving a stamp in their Festival Passport for each item, with the stamp colors representing the colors of the rainbow.
Upon completion, you’ll receive an ADDITIONAL — and complimentary — treat (with a possible bonus treat!) for your artful efforts.
Simply visit the Deco Delights Food Booth and show your fully stamped Passport.
*Note: The Disney World website identifies 5 FEATURED foods that are part of the Wonderful Walk of Cuisine. But the Festival Passport notes that you can buy “any five (5) menu items from the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine locations.”
Click HERE to join us on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine!
PERFORMING ARTS
EPCOT is bursting with live performances and acts to celebrate the Performing Arts!
Be sure to refer to the Event Guide at EPCOT or the My Disney Experience app during your specific visit, as the Festival will continually offer new experiences.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
The Disney on Broadway Concert Series features performances by some of Broadway’s most accomplished actors and actresses singing some of Disney’s most beloved songs at the America Gardens Theatre in The American Adventure pavilion.
The performances typically take place at 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8PM on each night throughout the Festival. You can find the full lineup of artists for 2023 here as we await the 2024 lineup!
Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages are also available, offering guests the chance to pair lunch or dinner (either a three-course meal or full buffet, based on location) at a participating EPCOT Table Service restaurant with guaranteed priority seating for an evening show on the same date. In 2023, Packages started at $47.00 for adults, and at $20.00 per child.
Additionally, a same-day, walk-up Disney on Broadway Dining Package is typically available at an EPCOT Counter service location, offering guaranteed seating with a meal at a lower price point.
You can find all of the details here.
For the full list of restaurants (with prices) and Broadway Artists, visit our Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package Page!
Musical Performances in World Showcase Plaza
Live music is performed DAILY in World Showcase Plaza! Check the My Disney Experience app for performance times for the following (below is a list of performers from 2023 as we await 2024 information):
- Nicholas Marks, playing guitar
- Victor Espinola, playing harp
- Don Black, playing saxophone
- Dominic Gaudious, playing the didgeridoo
Visual Art in Performance
Visual Art in Performance gives guests the chance to enjoy viewing a high-energy artist painting Disney characters LIVE onstage “in a matter of minutes!”
Performances take place in World Showcase Plaza on Thursdays through Sundays and on select Mondays, with the 2023 schedule as follows for Featured Artists (below is the list of performers from 2023 as we await 2024 information):
Trevor Carlton
- January 14 to January 17
- February 3 to February 6
- February 10 to February 13
- February 17 to February 21
Stephen Fishwick
- January 27 to January 30
Trevor Carlton & Stephen Fishwick in a Dueling Artist Format
- January 20 to January 23
Check the My Disney Experience app for performance times
Chalk Art Galleries
Enjoy seeing the creative process live through Art in Performance, including Chalk Artists along the bridge to World Showcase Plaza.
Performance days and times will vary, so be sure to check the Festival Passport and My Disney Experience during your visit. However, know that — even if you miss the artists working themselves — you can ALWAYS enjoy the art along the bridge throughout the Festival!
Art Defying Gravity
Art Defying Gravity performs “thrilling acts” throughout the Festival!
In 2023, performances took place at World Showcase Plaza on Saturdays through Wednesdays.
VISUAL ARTS
The Visual Arts are celebrated throughout EPCOT in a myriad of Exhibits and hands-on experiences, along with a few more artistic touches along the way! Be sure to pick up and refer to the Festival of the Arts Passport at EPCOT during your specific visit.
The Featured Exhibits put the spotlight on Disney Iconic Artists and Disney-Inspired Original Art.
Check out the Walking Chalk Gallery — where artists create gorgeous art pieces in chalk — seen along the walkway from World Celebration towards World Showcase.
You’ll likely even happen upon some VERY unique and impressive 3D Chalk Art. A spot will be designated showing you where you stand so you can become part of the artwork and pop out of these detailed scenes!
And families can visit the Kids’ Chalk Art area on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza, where kids can create chalk art with the whole family!
Artist Appearances in 2023
More than 100 Disney and visiting artists appeared at the Festival of the Arts in 2023. The following artists are just a glimpse of the full lineup from 2023 as we await 2024 information:
- Guest favorite artists Dylan Bonner, Fenway Fan, Will Gay, and Ashley Taylor;
- Larissa Marantz — illustrator, cartoonist and educator;
- Yesenia Moises — an Afro-Latina children’s book illustrator and toy designer;
- Ryan Riller — an animator and illustrator (featured in Disney Junior’s “Whisker Haven Tales”);
- Joe Ledbetter — known for his distinctive style in painting and vinyl toy design;
- Kahran and Regis Bethencourt of CreativeSoul Photography;
- Jerrod Maruyama — February 10th-14th in the Odyssey Building;
- Jeff Granito — January 27th through February 2nd at the Odyssey Building;
- Michael Reyes — Artist for Gideon’s Bakehouse at the Pop Gallery booth (January 13th – January 16th; February 16th – February 19th)
- Eric Tan — January 21st through 25th at the Odyssey Building;
- Dave Perillo — January 13th through 17th and February 16th through 20th at the Wonderground Gallery in the Odyssey
- Larry Dotson, Rob Kaz, artists from Thomas Kinkade Studios, Paola Gracey, David E. Doss, and more!
Disney provided an artist appearance schedule by week (the information below is from 2023 as we await 2024 information):
WEEK 1: January 13 – January 21
WEEK 2: January 22 – January 28
WEEK 3: January 29 – February 4
WEEK 4: February 5 – February 11
WEEK 5: February 12 – February 20
Animation Academy
Experience the magic of Disney animation at this fun and informative drawing class taught by actual Disney artists. (Paper and pencil are provided for this complimentary art session.)
These classes take place at the American Gardens Theatre. This activity is typically offered from 12:30PM to 1M daily. Instructing artists in 2023 included the following:
- Will Gay
- Lon Smart
- Ron Cohee
- Matthew Dewater
- Brian Blackmore
- Sarah Schmidt
- David Holbrook
- Michael Montgomery
- Alex Maher
- Andy Quiles
Photo Ops in Works of Art
“Picture yourself” in famous works of art at special Photo Op locations throughout EPCOT!
Photo Ops include:
- Homage to Frida Kahlo in the Mexico pavilion
- Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci between the Italy and Germany pavilions
- The Scream – Edvard Munch between the Italy and Germany pavilions
- Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze in The American Adventure pavilion
- Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir at the International Gateway
- Peter Pan Storybook on the Bridge to World Showcase
- Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli in the Italy pavilion
- Café Terrace at Night and Sunflowers – Vincent van Gogh on the Bridge to World Showcase
Disney PhotoPass photographers are present to capture you in a masterpiece moment!
Interactive Wall Mural
Leave your own artistic mark on EPCOT at the Expression Section, located in World Nature!
The Interactive Wall Mural gives guests the chance to paint their own small section of what will become a HUGE piece of artwork during the Festival!
Note that the mural is available to paint from 11AM until 5PM daily.
Just enter the line and some friendly Cast Members will point (or maybe I should say “PAINT”) you on your way!
Chalk Full of Character
Keep your eyes peeled for extra little bits of art featuring beloved Disney characters in unexpected corners throughout the World Showcase pavilions!
Luca Artwork in the Italy pavilion
They’re “Chalk Full of Character!” This activity is free… and FUN! All you need are your walking shoes and a keen eye for your favorite Disney pals…
Click HERE to check out ALL of the Disney characters we spotted in “Chalk Full of Character!”
Drawing on Inspiration: Celebrating 50 Years of Magic
In 2022 and 2023, guests could visit World Celebration (near the Creations Shop) to see “dazzling depictions of Walt Disney World attractions illustrated by Disney Imagineers from around the world” with the Drawing on Inspiration exhibit!
Drawing on Inspiration
This showcase was presented in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World!
Festival-inspired Nighttime Lights on Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth celebrates the Festival in its own magical way — it lights up the night in a special way throughout the Festival!
Spaceship Earth at Night during the 2023 Festival of the Arts
Disney shares that “This technicolor tribute features music that is bound to spark your imagination, along with a spectacle of dazzling light.”
Click HERE to see photos and videos of this beautiful addition to the Festival!
Festival Markets and Artist Galleries
Inspired to take a piece of art home with you? Or perhaps you’d like to see an artist at work or meet one of your favorites?
Festival of the Arts Marketplace — Art on Display
Various Festival Markets and locations such as Promenade Fine Arts (previously known as Wyland Galleries)showcase artwork available for purchase throughout the Festival.
More Festival Fun
Additional Festival fun is in full force all over EPCOT for the Festival of the Arts!
Festival of the Arts
Are you bringing a little budding artist to the Festival of the Arts? Children (and adults!) can search for Figment by following clues provided through famous works of art strategically located around World Showcase with Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt!
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Map
Interested guests can visit Port of Entry, Creations Shop, or World Traveler to purchase a map (in 2023, the price was $9.99) and begin their search.
Every time you find Figment, add the corresponding sticker to the pavilion on your map.
Hi, there, Figment!
Upon completing the scavenger hunt, guests can head to Disney Traders or World Traveler with their completed map and receive an “artful” surprise!
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Prize
In 2023, you could choose one of four different paint-your-own Disney figurines as your prize: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, or Figment!
Take a peek to prepare for YOUR Brush with the Masters… courtesy of Figment!
Kidcot Fun Stops
Kidcot Fun Stops in the World Showcase pavilions often offer an experience specific to the Festival of the Arts.
Kidcot Fun Stops Activity
Get ready to grab a palette and paintbrush!
Character Greeting Artful Enhancements
Plan on saying “HELLO!” to some of your favorite Disney friends in EPCOT? Almost every aspect of the park joins in on the Festival’s artistic festivities, and that includes the character meet and greets! Several characters (especially Disney Princesses) have their own piece or artwork, each with their own unique art style that suits the character perfectly.
Mulan loves her portrait!
As an example, you can see Aurora meeting guests here:
Princess Aurora meeting guests
This painting shows her during the final scene where her dress kept changing from pink to blue!
Even Pluto gets in on the fun with some paint splatter on his color.
Pluto’s special look for Festival of the Arts
So keep those eyes peeled EVERYWHERE you go throughout EPCOT for whimsical — and, most of all, artful — touches!
Spin Art
Spin Art lets guests to create their own masterpiece and maybe get a bit of a workout in during the process. Guests hop on a stationary bike and pedal away!
Spin Art Cycle
The pedaling motion helps create a one-of-a-kind piece of art of your very own! Just pick four colors, and you’ll be amazed at the painting you create.
Spin Art in progress!
Your art is dry and ready to take home with you just 15 minutes after you finish! In 2023, one experience was $19.00, two experiences were $30.00, and you could get an 8×10 frame for your spin masterpiece for $10.00 more.
Festival Merchandise and Novelty Items
The LEGENDARY Figment Popcorn Bucket — which made its BIG debut at the 2022 Festival of the Arts — returned again for 2023!
2023!
Figment Popcorn Bucket
Guests could find it at and Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic. (Limit 2 per person; PLEASE NOTE: You could not purchase the Figment Popcorn Bucket by lining up at the Food Studio — it wasONLY available as “EPCOT Souvenir Release” through Mobile Order via the My Disney Experience app to purchase. Find all the info HERE!)
Be on the lookout for Festival of the Arts merchandise both in major shopping spots (like Creations Shop and Art of Disney) as well as pop-up event merchandise kiosks.
Festival of the Arts Spirit Jersey
Plenty of commemorative Festival of the Arts merchandise is available throughout the park… and more than a few pieces this year feature — can you guess?? — Figment, the mascot of the Festival of the Arts!
Festival of the Arts Mugs
From pins to plates and MagicBands to Spirit Jerseys, there are always plenty of artful items to pick up to remember your trip to the Festival!
Festival!
2023 Festival of the Arts MagicBand
Click HERE to see more 2023 Festival of the Arts merchandise — with prices!
Previous Festival Offerings
As Disney World continues in its phased reopening from the closures of 2020, select offerings that have been part of previous Festivals did not return in 2021, 2022 or for the 2023 Festival. These included Free Seminars focused on the various artistic disciplines, Interactive Workshops, and the Paint With a Disney Artist class.
Trailblazing Ladies of Disney Animation Complimentary Seminar
Feel free to click any of the links above to learn more in case any of these offerings return in the future.
“Color does brighten things up, doesn’t it?” — Walt Disney
We are happy to be bringing you coverage of everything at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts!