As we continue on through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may find yourself looking ahead and asking, what’s next? For those who are planning ahead for a winter getaway to Disney World, we have some additional details to share about the upcoming EPCOT International Festival of the Arts!
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will run from January 16th through February 23rd. This creative festival celebrates everything artistic, imaginative, and colorful (Figment is the festival’s mascot, after all!). Guests can enjoy a range of performances and activities in areas ranging from the visual arts and performing arts to culinary arts. Let’s dive right in and flex our creative muscles as we explore what is returning for 2026.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
Some of the most highly anticipated features of any EPCOT festival are the live performances. Festival of the Arts brings a number of stars from the Broadway stage to the America Gardens Theatre for spectacular nightly performances in the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Guests will enjoy songs from Disney Broadway musicals along with other musical numbers. Here’s the lineup for the 2026 festival (subject to change):
- Isabelle McCalla (“Aladdin”) and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
- January 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 27
- Sierra Boggess (“The Little Mermaid”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
- January 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 29
- Anastacia McCleskey (“Tarzan”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
- January 30
- February 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, and 10
- Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”)
- January 31
- February 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 12
- Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”) and Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”)
- February 13, 15, 16, and 19
- Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”) and James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”)
- February 14, 17, 18, 20, and 21
- Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”), Ainsley Melham (“Aladdin”), Susan Egan (“Beauty and the Beast”) and James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”)
- February 22 and 23
These performances are included with your EPCOT admission. Seating is on a first-come, first-first served basis, so if you want to attend, definitely arrive early! The good news is there are several performances each evening. Showtimes are currently listed as 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm. If you prefer to secure guaranteed seating, dining packages for select EPCOT restaurants will be available for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. These packages will go on sale starting December 17th.
Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of Disney on Broadway
While we’re on the subject of dazzling Broadway performances, let’s quickly discuss the Once Upon A Stage exhibit at CommuniCore Hall. Disney describes this experience as a “step behind the curtain”. Guests will see authentic props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes displays from a range of Disney on Broadway shows. In the past, this has included items like Aladdin’s lamp, the Enchanted Rose from Beauty and the Beast, and puppets from The Lion King. There will also be fun photo-ops available, so get your camera (or phone) ready. We can’t wait to see what this year’s exhibit will showcase!
Art in Action
During Festival of the Arts, Disney showcases a number of art forms. In addition to enjoying performance arts, guests will also be immersed in visual arts and musical experiences. For instance, take a few moments to enjoy the Chalk Art Galleries. Artists design these detailed renderings in real time right on the sidewalk. It’s definitely a sight to behold as the art takes shape!
In addition to the Chalk Art Gallery artists, there will be other visual artists creating canvas art live on stage. These artists will be painting beloved Disney characters near CommuniCore Plaza throughout the festival, so make sure you check the MyDisneyExperience app for a list of Visual Art in Performance times.
If you would like to procure a piece of Disney art to take home, you can actually purchase original canvases and art prints from various booths set up around the park. A selection of Disney Gallery Artists will be available to speak with guests and sign purchased artwork during the festival too. This experience is definitely an art collector’s dream!
Animation Academy
How about creating your own art? There are several interactive experiences in which Disney guests can actually create works of art. At the Animation Academy at the America Gardens Theatre, a Disney animator will provide step-by-step instructions to draw a favorite Disney character. All ages and skill levels are able to enjoy these sessions. So, if you’re a budding artist, you can create your very own piece of Disney magic to take home! This experience is similar to the Animation Experience at Conservation Station over at Animal Kingdom.
The Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural
A large-scale interactive guest experience at Festival of the Arts is the Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural activity. Just as it sounds, this massive mural is made up of thousands of tiny squares that will be filled in by guests “paint by number” style throughout the festival. To take part in this activity, stop by one of the paint distribution tents in World Celebration during the designated hours (in the past, this has been 11:00am – 5:00pm). You will be given paintbrushes and numbered cups of paint. All you need to do is find squares that match your paint color number and fill in a couple of squares. After you paint your squares, you will be given a bookmark illustrating what the finished product will look like as a commemorative souvenir for participating!
Artful Photo Ops
While you’re at the Festival of the Arts, you can actually become part of the artwork. Step inside famous paintings or scenes from favorite Disney movies. These larger than life photo ops are always so much fun! Favorites from past festivals include an homage to Frida Kahlo, “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci, “Sunflowers” by Van Gogh, and “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. Keep an eye out around the park for more great places to grab a quick photo! Disney PhotoPass photographers are often on hand to help capture these one-of-a-kind memories.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
All EPCOT festivals include the opportunity to purchase a map with stickers to complete a scavenger hunt for a prize. At the Festival of the Arts, participants search for Figment in “reimagined” famous works of art hidden around the park. Maps may be purchased at select merchandise locations. Once you’ve completed your scavenger hunt, head to Creations Shop, Disney Traders, or World Traveler for a fun completer prize!
Food Studios
Finally, no EPCOT festival would be complete without delicious food. The culinary arts are a crowd favorite every year at the International Festival of the Arts. While specific food offerings will be announced at a later date, we can expect that there will once again be a colorful array of artfully designed menu options in 2026. Disney has already confirmed that The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine will also be returning for 2026. Collect five stamps by purchasing specific food items included in this colorful food crawl activity to earn a prize! If you haven’t noticed yet, EPCOT food crawls are definitely one of the MouseHouseNews.net team‘s favorite activities during festivals. Yum!
The Festival of the Arts is a rather short festival, so if you want to attend, start thinking about dates for your vacation soon. Otherwise, you’ll miss it in the blink of an eye! I would highly recommend attending the Disney on Broadway Concert Series if you have the chance. Our team had the pleasure of seeing Michael James Scott a couple of years ago, and let me tell you, he was incredible! We’ll continue to bring you the latest news on this upcoming festival, as well as other news from around Disney World, so stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net. We’ll see ya real soon!
