It’s time for lovers of the performing, visual, and culinary arts to shake off the post-New Year’s blues and rejoice: The 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts has returned for a fourth year! Although Epcot’s arts event is the park’s newest and briefest—running only from Jan. 17 to Feb. 24—it has become one of our favorite seasonal events at Walt Disney World, and we’ve got all the official (and Unofficial) information you need to make the most of your visit.
For starters, check out this video featuring highlights from opening day the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Then continue reading for all the details of this year’s event:
2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Live Entertainment
Disney theme parks as we know them wouldn’t exist without the talents of live performers, and the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts pays tribute to the power of the theater with daily Disney on Broadway concerts at the American Gardens Theater. Each performance features two or more stars of Disney’s Broadway shows singing award-winning showtunes.
Show times are at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily; lineup is subject to change:
Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White
- January 17
- January 20 through 21
- January 24
Heidi Blickenstaff and Gavin Lee
- January 18 through 19
- January 22 through 23
Heidi Blickenstaff, Gavin Lee, Kissy Simmons, Alton Fitzgerald White
- January 25
Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey
- January 26
- January 28 through 29
- February 1 through 2
- February 5 through 6
Liana Hunt and Adam Jacobs
- January 27
- January 30 through 31
- February 3 through 4
- February 7 through 8
Liana Hunt, Adam Jacobs, Kara Lindsay, and Kevin Massey
- February 9
Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland
- February 10
- February 12 through 13
- February 18 through 19
- February 22 through 23
Michael James Scott and Syndee Winters
- February 11
- February 14 through 17
- February 20 through 21
Ashley Brown, Michael James Scott, Josh Strickland, and Syndee Winters
- February 24
Admission to the concerts is included with regular park admission, but standby capacity is limited. For a guaranteed seat, you can book a Disney on Broadway concert dining package, which includes a meal at a select restaurant and reserved concert viewing. Prices range from $52-$69 for adults, $22-$32 for kids.
In addition to the headliner concerts, you’ll find live entertainment popping up all around the park.
Keep an eye (and ear) out for daily performances by Living Statues, the “Art Defying Gravity” acrobatic troupe, and high school jazz bands.
On Fridays through Mondays, “Visual Art in Performance” lets you watch as guest visual artists paint Disney characters in minutes.
And all around World Showcase, you’ll find Disney characters, such as Donald Duck, Mulan, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, and the White Rabbit, posing near their artistic portraits.
2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Workshops and Artists
What sets Epcot’s Festival of the Arts apart from other seasonal events is the opportunity to interact with, and even work alongside, actual artists as they practice their craft. This year, the free workshops that were previously offered inside the Odyssey building (now home to Imagineering’s preview of Epcot’s overhaul) did not return, but paid workshop opportunities are available that allow guests to meet real artists and walk away with a hand-made piece of original artwork.
Festival of the Arts Workshop topics include Ink & Paint Animation, 3D paper crafting, gesture drawing basics, and flipbook animation. Workshops are held in the World Showplace event pavilion (between Canada and the U.K.) on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. They cost $45 per guest (plus tax and park admission) and space is limited, so you must call (407) WDW-FEST or (407) 939-3378 to make an advance reservation.
If you’re really serious, exclusive Paint with a Disney Artist classes are held on select dates. They cost $259 (plus tax and admission) and afford the rare opportunity to be mentored by an actual Disney artist. Advance reservations are required for the Saturday morning class, which is only held on January 18 and February 15 (8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Febuary 8 and 22 (11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to get up close with visual art even without an extra fee. You’ll find the popular chalk art gallery in Future World, along with booths with artists selling their creations all around the park.
In World Showcase, you’ll find art galleries inside several of the pavilions, including an Art of Disney store, which has been relocated to The American Adventure.
If you really want to get into the picture, seek out the Artful Photo Ops positioned around World Showcase that allow guests to insert themselves into a familiar masterpiece, such as a Van Gogh masterpiece, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Munch’s The Scream.
Another hands-on activity for budding artists is the “Expression Section” paint-by-number mural in Future World, where from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily anyone can grab a paintbrush and contribute to an enormous artwork.
2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts for Kids
Epcot’s Festival of the Arts also offers plenty of pint-size activities for getting little ones excited about the creative arts.
For starters, pick up a $7.99 map for Figment’s Brush With the Masters scavenger hunt, which will have you seeking to spot the mischievous purple dragon hidden inside famous artworks. Once you find them all, you can redeem the completed map for a souvenir.
Next, be sure to visit the American Gardens Theater at 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. for the free Animation Academy classes, where anyone can learn how to draw a classic Disney character.
When it’s time to let off steam, visit the Green Landing Family Play Zone, a playground themed to WALL-E found along a garden path behind the former Mouse Gear store.
Finally, don’t forget to let your children leave their mark on Epcot at the Kid’s Chalk Art in Future World West, where they can contribute to a sidewalk masterpiece from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Dining
Last but certainly not least, no seasonal event at Epcot is complete without food, and the park’s Festival Booths are in full swing. Though not as numerous as during the Food & Wine and Flower & Garden festivals, the Arts festival’s outdoor kitchens specialize in creative ingredients and ingenious plating that you wouldn’t expect in a theme park.
Before you begin eating and drinking your way around the world, be sure to grab a Festival Passport, which will allow you to track your journey. New for 2020 is the “Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine.” If you purchase five selected menu items from designated locations and get your Festival Passport stamped, bring it to Decadent Delights before Feb. 24 and redeem it for an exclusive edible prize.
Here are some highlights of the menus from the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts food studios:
The Deconstructed Dish
- Deconstructed Reuben: Sliced Corned Beef, Rye-crusted Sauerkraut, and Jarlsberg Cake with Broken Thousand Island Dressing
- Deconstructed BLT: Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam, and Soft Poached Egg
- Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake: Whipped New York-Style Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries and Sugar Cookies with Micro-basil (KA)
- Rainboba: Sparkling Water layered with Fruit Boba and topped with a Foam Cloud (non-alcoholic) (KA)
- Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake garnished with Maple Syrup, a Waffle Crisp, and Candied Bacon (non-alcoholic) (KA)
- Imagery Sauvignon Blanc, California
- Mad Genius Red Blend, California
- Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Cream Bourbon, garnished with a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon
Cuisine Classique
- Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes, and Aged Balsamic
- Seared Corvina with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc (GF) (KA)
- Saint-Honoré Tart: Caramel Cream Tart with Caramel Glaze topped with Cream Puffs
- Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie (KA)
- Angry Orchard Rosé Hard Cider, Walden, NY
- Concrete Beach Brewery Rosé Ale, Miami, FL
- Frozen Rosé
- Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva Art Series, Logrono, Spain
- Domaine Savary Chablis, Burgundy
- A Play on Rosé Flight
The Artist’s Table
- Beef Wellington with Mushroom Bordelaise, Fennel Cream, and Roasted Baby Vegetables (KA)
- Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis, and a Parmesan Crisp (GF)
- Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie (KA)
- Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, Milk, and Dark (non-alcoholic)
- Saugatuck Brewing Co. Neapolitan Milk Stout, Douglas, MI
- Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
- Lindemans Framboise Lambic, Belgium
- Barrymore Rosé, Monterey County, CA
- Carmel Road Drew’s Blend Pinot Noir, Monterey County, CA
- Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Mozart Cream Liqueurs paired with Sipping Chocolates
- Chocolate and Beer Pairing Flight
Pop Eats!
- Sous Vide Chicken Roulade with Apples and Sage served with Warm Brie Fondue, Blueberry and Beet Gel, and garnished with Beet Chip Crumbles (GF)
- Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF)
- Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Belgian Chocolate (KA)
- Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Strawberry Filling (KA)
- Blue Sky Black Cherry Boba Freeze (non-alcoholic) (KA)
- #RainbowSherbetGlitterDreamAle by Playalinda Brewing Co., Titusville, FL
- Popping Bubbles Cocktail
- Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary
Decadent Delights
- White Chocolate and Purple Sweet Potato Mousse, Caramel, Coconut, and Maple Meringue
- Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Pretzel Crunch (KA)
- Lemon and Blood Orange Tart
- Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie (KA)
- White Chocolate Figment Puzzle on an Artist Palette (KA)
- 3 Daughters Strawberry Blonde Nitro, St. Petersburg, FL
- Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge, CO
- Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, England
- Biagio Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont
- Florida Orange Groves Winery Black and Blue Port, St. Petersburg, FL
- Cold Fashioned Coffee Cocktail
- Neapolitan Beer Flight
The Masterpiece Kitchen
- Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings, and Zinfandel Reduction (KA)
- Smoked Salmon and Cream Gâteau with Egg Yolk Cream, Paddlefish Caviar, and Micro-herbs
- Charcuterie Palette with Artisan Cured Meats and Cheeses featuring Nueske’s ® Applewood Smoked Beef
- Vanilla, Rose Water, and Pistachio Panna Cotta
- Weihenstephaner Original Lager, Freising, Germany
- Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne
- The Meeker Vineyard Winemakers’ Handprint Merlot, Sonoma County, CA
- Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut, Spain
- Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut Rosé, Spain
- Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist
Funnel Cakes—The American Adventure
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Funnel Cake with Peanut Butter Ice Cream, Marshmallow Cream and Raspberry Glaze (KA)
Fife & Drum—The American Adventure
- Musical Float: Layered Strawberry, Lemonade, and Blue Raspberry Slushy with Vanilla Ice Cream and White Chocolate (non-alcoholic) (KA)
Block & Hans—The American Adventure
- Arendelle Aqua Lemonade: Frozen Lemonade with Monin Cotton Candy and Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine
Goshiki—Japan Pavilion
- Taiyaki: Fish-shaped Cake stuffed with a Sweet Red Bean Filling served with Green Tea Chocolate and Whipped Cream Cheese (KA)
- Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped Sushi featuring Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp, Cucumber, and Sesame Seed over a decorated plate of Wasabi Aïoli, Sriracha, and Eel Sauce
- Vegetable Gyoza: Vegetable and Edamame filled Gyoza atop Truffle-mashed Potatoes, Shiitake Mushrooms, Pepper Strings, and Tonkatsu Teriyaki Sauce (KA)
- Nomi Yasui Draft Lager
- Masu Sake in a Traditional Personalized Wooden Cup
- Matsuri Cocktail: Frozen Nigori Sake and Calpico accented with Strawberry and finished with Cotton Candy
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Canada: Impressionism Pairing: Blackberry Iced Latte topped with a delicious Blueberry Donut and Sweet Whipped Cream
- Showcase Plaza: Renaissance Pairing: Iced Mocha Latte served with a timeless Glazed Donut and Sprinkles
- Future World East: Modern Pairing: Coconut Iced Latte garnished with a decadent Chocolate Donut and topped with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles
- The American Adventure: Baroque Pairing: White Mocha Iced Latte layered with a Red Velvet Donut and Sprinkles
El Arista Hambriento—Mexico Pavilion
- Sopes de Barbacoa: Braised Barbacoa Beef served on Fried Guajillo Corn Shell with Black Beans, Cotija Cheese, Mexican Cream, and Chives
- Agave Pork Belly: Pork Belly caramelized with Agave atop Pumpkin Seed Pesto Lentil Salad
- Frida Banana Daiquiri: Mexican Handcrafted Rum, Banana Purée, and Applejack (served Frozen)
- Diego Blackberry Margarita: 100% Agave Tequila, Blackberry Purée, Fresh Jalapeño-Lime Juice served with Black Ant Salt Rim
- Mexican White Sangria: White Wine, Fruit Juices, and Sweet Cinnamon-infused Tequila
Refreshment OutPost—Outpost
- Plant-based Bratwurst with Spicy Turmeric Aïoli, Coffee Barbecue Jackfruit and Slaw
- Paintbrush Churros: Cinnamon-Sugar Churros Dipped in Colorful White Chocolate (KA)
- Barrel of Monks Brewery Endless Enigma Golden Pale Ale, Boca Raton, FL
- Collective Arts Brewing Life in the Closus Hazy IPA, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- M.I.A. Beer Company Malt Bach Brown Ale, Doral, FL
- Popcorn Pairing Flight
Refreshment Port—Showcase Plaza
- Lobster Chips: House-made Chips, Lobster, Lobster Bisque Cheese Sauce, Pickled Jalapeños and Citrus Cream
- Ciderboys Zen Berry Apple Boysenberry Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
- Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA
Test Track Cool Wash—Future World East
- Assorted Coca-Cola Slushies (non-alcoholic) (KA)
The Painted Panda—China
- Spicy Beef Shumai
- Char Siu Pork Bun
- “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic) (KA)
- Jasmine Draft Beer
- Fortune Cookie: ByeJoe Spirit, Amaretto, Coconut, and Pineapple
- Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec
- Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower-infused Cocktail with Lychee Syrup, Vodka, Light Rum, and Magic Boba Pearls
L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise—France
- Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm Creamy Brie in a House-made Bread Bowl (KA)
- Tomate Farcie Faҫon Paul Bocuse: Tomato Stuffed with Braised Ribs Paul Bocuse-style
- Moelleux Aux Chocolats Valrhona: Molten Chocolate Cake with Pure Origin Valrhona Chocolates (KA)
- Trio de Macarons: Assortment of Three House-made Macarons in a Gift Box
- Frozen French Martini: Grey Goose, Vodka, Chambord Liqueur, Pineapple, Orange and Grape Juice with Lemon-Lime Foam
- Veuve du Vernay, Brut N°1, Limited Edition: French Sparkling Wine
- Vouvray, Marcel Dubois, 2018
- Bordeaux, Château Malbec, 2015
Mosaic Canteen—Morocco
- Spiced Beef with Pine Nuts and Dried Cherries, Hummus and Pita Chips
- Mediterranean Flatbread with Zaatar, Olive Oil Artichoke, Olives, Mozzarella, and Feta Cheese
- Chebbakia: Hand-twisted Strips of Fried Dough coated with Honey, Rosewater, and Sesame Seeds
- Casa Beer
- Kabash Prestige White Wine
- Embrace the Arak: Massaya Arak, Grapefruit Juice, and Grenadine
L’Arte di Mangiare—Italy
- Insalata di Gamberi al Limone di Zagara: Salad of Poached Shrimp in Sicilian Lemons, Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Avocado, and Citrus Dressing
- Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce (KA)
- Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce (contains alcohol)
- Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
- Prosecco, Villa Sandi
- Moscato Fior d’Arancio, Montegrande
- Corbinello, Montegrande
- Pinot Grigio, Santa Marina
- Merlot, Montegrande
- Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée, and Prosecco
- Vodka Rossini: Vodka, Strawberry Purée, and Prosecco
2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Merchandise
Before you exhaust yourself and exit Epcot, be sure to save some strength— and money—to shop for exclusive Festival of the Arts merchandise, featuring everyone’s favorite imaginative mascot, Figment.
You can find Festival merchandise in the Art of Disney gallery at The American Adventure, in Festival Market booths all around World Showcase and Future World, and in the new temporary Mouse Gear store located inside the former Innoventions East.
For all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
